Flames Seek Third Straight Win Against Hot Islanders

NEW YORK — The Calgary Flames will face the New York Islanders today at 2 p.m. MTN, hoping to secure their third consecutive victory on this important road trip.

Calgary, currently vying for a Western Conference playoff spot, recently achieved a thrilling comeback, defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-3. The Flames overcame a 3-1 deficit in the third period, with Connor Zary, Daniil Miromanov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nazem Kadri all scoring in the final frame. Rookie Matt Coronato also contributed with a goal in the second period, marking his second light of the lamp in as many games, while goalie Dustin Wolf made 26 saves.

“It’s a little bit taxing, but we’re enjoying the pressure,” Kadri said of the race for the playoffs. The seasoned forward has been pivotal for the team, tallying three goals and five points in his last five games. “You have to step on it a little bit this time of year. There’s still a lot of work left,” he added.

Today’s game is particularly significant for Jonathan Huberdeau, who will play in his 900th NHL game. Meanwhile, Coronato returns to the UBS Arena, close to his hometown of Greenlawn, New York.

On the other end, the Islanders come into the game riding a three-game winning streak, trying to secure their own playoff berth. In their last outing, New York edged the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime, with Bo Horvat scoring a crucial goal in the extra session.

“Winning, especially without playing our best, is a great sign,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy stated, praising his team’s resilience. “To find ways to win is a hallmark of a strong team.”

The Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin has been exceptional lately, making 38 saves in their last game and becoming the first Isles goalie to record multiple points in a game with two assists. “We have to stay focused and push hard for every point from now until the end of the season,” said forward Simon Holmstrom.

The stakes are particularly high for both teams in this matchup, especially for the Flames, who sit just one point behind the Vancouver Canucks for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Calgary possesses a game in hand on Vancouver but trails the St. Louis Blues, who currently occupy the second Wild Card spot.

As Calgary looks to extend its winning streak, the team’s focus remains on consistency and execution over a full 60 minutes. Head coach Ryan Huska noted the importance of a strong start, saying, “We can’t afford to wait for something to happen. We have to establish our game early.”

If the Flames can draw on their recent momentum and solidify their defensive play in front of Wolf, they may have what it takes to come away with another crucial win today.