Calgary Flames vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 29th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The upcoming game between the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday afternoon holds a special significance for the Flames. Despite a recent 0-1-1 fall from a four-game win streak, they are still challenging the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights. However, this game holds a deeper meaning as it is the first time the two teams will meet since the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau in August.
Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson expressed his emotions about the upcoming game, stating that it will be tough to see Gaudreau's name and number 13 featured on a banner at Nationwide Arena. Andersson considered Gaudreau to be one of his first close friends in the NHL. Many other players share similar sentiments, adding to the emotional weight of both Friday's game and the return game next Tuesday in Calgary, which the Gaudreau family is expected to attend.
One of those players is Columbus center Sean Monahan, who was a former Flames player and expected to reunite with Gaudreau on the ice after signing as a free agent in July. Despite not being able to play with Gaudreau, Monahan has made a huge impact with his new team, including netting seven points during a three-game win streak that was snapped with a 4-3 overtime loss on Wednesday to the Montreal Canadiens. Monahan's 20 points in 21 games are tied for second on the Blue Jackets, trailing only defenseman Zach Werenski, who has a six-game point streak.
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Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason praised Monahan's veteran presence and leadership on and off the ice. Werenski, who was named the NHL's First Star of the Week, has been a key player for the Blue Jackets, especially with captain Boone Jenner injured. The team also missed center Cole Sillinger in their recent game against the Canadiens.
The Flames also suffered an overtime loss on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite the loss, centers Connor Zary and Yegor Sharangovich each have four-game point streaks heading into the game against the Blue Jackets. Zary scored a power-play goal in the third period to tie the game, while Sharangovich had scored in three straight games prior to Wednesday. The Flames have been successful on the power play, scoring six goals in their last five games.
Both teams have struggled in their respective home and away records, with the Flames being 3-4-4 on the road and the Blue Jackets being 2-6-2 at home. Flames coach Ryan Huska hopes that his team can stick to their strengths and play a successful game regardless of the location.
In conclusion, the upcoming game between the Flames and the Blue Jackets holds a special significance for both teams. Emotions will be high as they honor the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, and players will look to make an impact on the ice in his honor. Both teams have key players who have been performing well, and it will be a close game as they battle for a win.
Calgary Flames vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Recap NOV 29TH 2024
Kirill Marchenko had a goal and two assists while Adam Fantilli registered his first multi-goal game of the season to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets past the visiting Calgary Flames 5-2 on Friday.
In the teams' first matchup since the deaths of former Blue Jackets and Flames star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew over the summer, Calgary goalie Dan Vladar wore a mask honoring Johnny Gaudreau. The teams will face off again on Tuesday in Calgary.
Zach Werenski (one goal, one assist) and Kent Johnson also scored and Elvis Merzlikins made 27 saves for the Blue Jackets, whose five-game point streak (4-0-1) is their longest since 2020. Dmitri Voronkov added a pair of assists.
Werenski's game-winner in the second was his eighth tally of the season, tying him with Colorado's Cale Makar for the most among NHL defensemen. Werenski's seven-game point streak equals the longest of his career.
Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri scored for the Flames, who are 0-2-1 since a four-game win streak. Dustin Wolf stopped 29 shots in Calgary's net.
After Sean Kuraly's early semi-breakaway clanked off the crossbar, the Blue Jackets continued pressuring and grabbed a 1-0 lead just as a power play came to an end. At 11:56, Fantilli fired a shot from the left circle that sailed in over Wolf's shoulder.
Johnson doubled the Columbus lead at 16:42, shooting a wrister from the right circle that Cole Sllinger initiated at the start of a two-on-one rush.
Werenski added to the Blue Jackets' advantage 4:43 into the second. AfterVoronkov picked off Wolf's attempted feed up the boards, Werenski slotted home a short feed from Marchenko, who had circled the net, and neatly tucked it inside the post.
With 5:01 left in the second, Coleman brought the Flames within 3-1 by pouncing on a loose puck in front that had bounced off Rasmus Andersson off Kevin Bahl's pass from Merzlikins' left end of the goal line.
Out of the box after serving a roughing penalty on Merzlikins, Fantilli joined a two-on-one rush with Marchenko and buried a perfect pass into the right circle for a 4-1 lead less than five minutes into the third.
Kadri rushed from end-to-end and scored on a wrist shot from between the circles on the power play, cutting Calgary's deficit to 4-2 with nine minutes left in regulation. Marchenko sealed the win on an empty-net goal with 1:40 remaining.
The Flames' Justin Kirkland suffered a lower-body injury in the first period and did not return.