Neal not much of a free agent steal
James Neal was Calgary’s prized free agent signing, but you couldn’t blame the brass at the Saddledome if they ’re now checking the return policy on that five-year, US$28.75million contract.
The 31-year-old Neal has been mostly a non-factor, with just three goals and one assist in 18 outings. He was stapled to the bench for the third period of Sunday ’s 3-1 road loss in San Jose.
The Habs are expected to start Carey Price in net. He is slumping, with a 1-3-1 record, a 4.41 goalsagainst average and .854 save percentage in his past five starts.
Here’s what to watch for when the Flames (10-7-1) face off against Montreal (9-6-3):
Shooting Blanks: The Flames had just four goals during their threegame getaway to California, sandwiching a shutout victory in Los Angeles with losses in Anaheim and San Jose. Perhaps some homecooking will re-ignite the attack for a squad that has averaged 3.11 snipes per game.
Miserable memories: The Flames were dreadful in a visit to Montreal’s Bell Centre last month, dropping a 3-2 decision that was much more one-sided than the final score would suggest. Matthew Tkachuk was fuming after, telling reporters: “That’s an embarrassing effort. That’s a bad way to play.” On the rebound: The Canadiens were in a cranky mood after Tuesday’s 6-2 drubbing by Edmonton, the second time in a three-game stretch they’ve fished a half-dozen pucks out of their own net. “A no-show on our part,” said Habs head coach Claude Julien. “It was a tough night. By far the worst game of the year. So you have to kind of hopefully write it off and move on and focus on the next game.” Movember Max: There must be a bit of magic in that moustache. Canadiens centre Max Domi is having a Movember to remember, riding a seven-game point streak. The 23-year-old Domi — acquired in a swap from Arizona — scored on a top-shelf rip in Edmonton and has five goals and 11 points on his seven-game streak. He tops his team with 22 points.