The New York Islanders will host the Calgary Flames at UBS Arena on March 14, as both teams continue their National Hockey League campaigns. The matchup marks the second half of a back-to-back set for the Islanders, who are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
This game is important for both teams as they seek to improve their standings late in the season. The Islanders are tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division, while the Flames sit seventh in the Pacific Division and remain outside of playoff position.
Head Coach Patrick Roy confirmed that Kyle MacLean and Anthony Duclair will return to the Islanders’ lineup, replacing Marc Gatcomb and Max Shabanov. MacLean has recorded six points this season, while Duclair is tied for sixth on the team with 12 goals. David Rittich will start in goal against his former team, seeking his first career win versus Calgary.
Forward Bo Horvat addressed recent challenges faced by the Islanders: “It wears on you having to come back all the time,” Horvat said. “We have to find ways to get leads and hold leads. Going down the stretch here like that’s tough, not only physically, but mentally to keep having to come back in games like that.”
Mathew Barzal continues to lead New York offensively with 60 points this season and has been effective following team losses. The previous meeting between these teams saw Calgary defeat New York 4-2 at Scotiabank Saddledome.
The Flames recently made several roster changes through trades involving players such as MacKenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri. Mikael Backlund reached a milestone by surpassing 600 career points, while Joel Farabee has contributed five points over his last four games. Calgary’s power play ranks 24th in the league at 16 percent efficiency, but its penalty kill is ranked twelfth and leads all teams with eleven shorthanded goals.
