Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. Calgary Flames GameDay, TV/Radio, And Preview

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The Pittsburgh Penguins (18-6-3, 39 points) return to the ice at Consol Energy Center tonight when they take on the Calgary Flames.

The Pens are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss on Monday to the Rangers in New York. Mike Johnston’s crew has claimed a one point lead ahead of the second-place New York Islanders for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Isles lost on the road 6-3 on Thursday to the Blues in St. Louis.

With Thursday’s 4-3 loss against the Sabres in Buffalo, Bob Hartley’s squad (17-11-2, 36 points) has lost three in a row and are in third place in the Pacific Division of the NHL’s Western Conference. Calgary is 9-7-0 on the road this season.

It is the first of two meetings this season when these teams lace up the skates this evening. The Pens won both matchups in 2013-2014, and have won the past seven consecutive games.

When: Friday, Dec. 12

Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m.

Site: CONSOL Energy Center

Television: ROOT Sports Network

Announcers: Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey

Radio Coverage: 105.9 FM – The X and the Penguins Radio Network

Announcers: Mike Lange and Phil Bourque

Live Video Steam: NHL GameCenter LIVE

Audio Stream: Penguins Radio 24/7

Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Channel 218, XM Internet 942

Odds: According to VegasInsider.com, oddsmakers currently have the moneyline on the two teams listed as Pittsburgh -200 / Calgary +170 with the Over/Under at 5.5.

For Calgary, tonight is the third of a four-game road trip that concludes with a contest on Sunday against the Blackhawks in Chicago. They are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games.

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Flames’ forward Sean Monahan has three goals in his past five games while defenseman Mark Giordano has a point in six consecutive contests, and has contributed a point in 24 of 30 games.

It could be an interesting meeting on special teams tonight as Calgary has performed well on the penalty kill in their last eight games. They have stopped 11 of 12 chances over that time frame.

Kristen Odland of the Calgary Herald expects Jonas Hiller to be between the pipes tonight for the Flames. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound goaltender has lost his last three starts and has a 3.30 goals-against-average over a 2-5-0 span.

Both Jenn Menendez of the Post-Gazette and Jason Mackey of the Tribune Review are reporting that there is a good chance that defenseman Kris Letang and forward Patric Hornqvist will return to the lineup this evening. They will be game-time decisions according to Johnston.

Sidney Crosby missed practice on Thursday because he was not feeling well, but Johnston expects him to be ready to go by game time. Meanwhile, defenseman Olli Maatta and forwards Chris Kunitz and Beau Bennett will not be in action.

Marc-Andre Fleury is 5-1 in his career against Calgary. His only loss to the Flames came on Monday, Dec. 3, 2005. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound goaltender is off to a 2-0-1 start in December with a 1.96 goals-against-average.

Up Next: The Black and Gold travel to the Buckeye State on Saturday, Dec. 13 to take on Blue Jackets (11-15-2, 24 points) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.

From The Clipboard: Evgeni Malkin has four goals on 15 shots in his past four games…Nick Spaling put up his 12th-career multi-point game on Monday against the Rangers. His one goal and one assist for two points tied a career high…Blake Comeau recorded his 100th career assist on Monday in New York…Pittsburgh announced on Friday that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach John Hynes and assistant coach Alain Nasreddine have been signed to multi-year extensions.