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CALGARY FLAMES (9-3-5) at NEW YORK ISLANDERS (5-6-2)
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Saturday, 5 p.m., UBS Arena
TV: Sportsnet West; Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan
WHY WATCH? YOU GOTTA SEE THE RINK
Saturday night’s alright for … a house-warming party? This matchup marks the first-ever game at UBS Arena, the $1.5-billion rink that is the shiny new home of the Islanders. It should offer a glimpse into the future for Flames fans, who’ve been daydreaming about the details of Calgary’s soon-to-be-built downtown event centre. In the shorter term, a raucous crowd on Long Island could also provide a jolt of energy for the visitors as they near the end of a gruelling seven-game getaway.
POINTS LEADERS
FLAMES
Johnny Gaudreau — 17 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 PTS, +11
Elias Lindholm — 17 GP, 8 G, 10 A, 18 PTS, +13
Matthew Tkachuk — 17 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 PTS, +8
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ISLANDERS
Brock Nelson — 13 GP, 7 G, 2 A, 9 PTS, -3
Mathew Barzal — 13 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS, -4
Anthony Beauvillier — 13 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 PTS, E
SPECIAL TEAMS
FLAMES: PP — 23.5% (9th) PK — 87.3% (5th)
ISLANDERS: PP — 12.5% (T-30th) PK — 83.3% (12th)
THREE THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
1. You think the Flames have been on the road a lot? While waiting to move into their new digs next-door to the famed horse-racing facility at Belmont Park, the Islanders played 13 straight in enemy rinks — the longest season-opening excursion in NHL history. They posted a 5-6-2 record during those travels, which is a respectable mark in challenging circumstances but leaves them playing catch-up as the last-place team in the Metropolitan Division.
2. This is known as a stingy defensive squad — that’s the biggest reason they advanced to the Eastern Conference final last spring — but the Isles have been awfully leaky of late. They’ve been outscored 19-4 in their past four games, all regulation losses.
3. The Islanders were awaiting further test results after captain Anders Lee and tough guy Ross Johnston joined fellow forward Josh Bailey — a confirmed case — in COVID-19 protocol. They’re also without defensive workhorse Ryan Pulock, out four-to-six weeks due to a lower-body injury.