FRIDAYCalgary Flames (33-13-5) at Washington Capitals (27-17-6)5 p.m. MT, Capital One Arena, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The FanTHE BIG MATCHUPFlames D Mark Giordano vs. Capitals D John CarlsonThe next time these two guys go head-to-head, it could be as Norris Trophy nominees at the NHL’s awards gala. FIVE STORYLINES FOR THE GAMENO-VIThe Flames won’t have to worry Friday about stopping the NHL’s leading marksman, with Alex Ovechkin serving his mandatory one-game sit-out after skipping the 2019 NHL All-Star Game in San Jose. No other Capitals skater has scored more than 15 times this season, so they’ll certainly miss him. The Flames cruised into their all-star break/bye with an 8-0-1 record over their past nine dates. It’s been a much different story for the Capitals, with the defending Stanley Cup champions suffering seven straight losses before their vacations.

Source: National Post February 01, 2019 03:11 UTC