CALGARY — One week after losing 2-1 to the Blue Jackets in Columbus, the Calgary Flames have revenge on their minds.
On Tuesday, the Flames (5-2-1) will welcome the Jackets (5-1-0) to the Pengrowth Saddledome, where they’ve compiled a 3-1 record.
“Columbus beat us, so we want to have a huge game against them,” said Calgary forward Craig Conroy. “We just have to keep it simple and we’ve got to play in their zone more. They played in our zone too much last game.”
The Flames jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period in Columbus last week before Rick Nash set up a pair of goals by Anton Stralman and Kristian Huselius in the second stanza to lead the Jackets to a come-from-behind victory.
“He’s a good player,” said Calgary defenceman Jay Bouwmeester, who was drafted third overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, two picks after Nash. “He’s a big guy, he can skate and he’s got good hands. He’s one of those guys that you’ve got to watch out for. He’s pretty dangerous every time he’s out there.”
Averaging 27:19 of ice time per game — third in the NHL behind Philadelphia’s Chris Pronger and Carolina’s Joe Corvo — Bouwmeester will most likely see a lot of action when Nash and his linemates jump over the boards.
“There’s guys like that on every team,” Bouwmeester said. “It’s always a challenge playing against those guys, but you’ve got to take some pride in trying to shut them down.”
Another key for Calgary to avenge last week’s loss to the Jackets is for the Flames to make life difficult for goalie Steve Mason, who stopped 22 of 23 shots he faced in Columbus.