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NBA Preview: Charlotte Hornets (20-45) at Brooklyn Nets (35-28)

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NBA Preview: Charlotte Hornets (20-45) at Brooklyn Nets (35-28)

When the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Charlotte Hornets on their home court nearly four months ago, they started a 12-game winning streak that propelled them from being around.500 into the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference.

The Nets are trying to avoid a play-in game in a crowded field after a significant roster turnover and acclimating to several new players.

The Nets hope to get back on track with Sunday’s visit from Charlotte, matching the largest comeback in franchise history with an impressive road victory over the Boston Celtics.

When Brooklyn started the streak, it was 13-12. It beat Charlotte 122-116 on Dec. 7 to start the streak. The Nets moved up to second place in the East thanks to the streak, which lasted until January 2. The Nets have since gone 9-16 in their last 25 games as a result of Kevin Durant’s knee injury and the trade of Kyrie Irving for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Nets’ four new players made their debuts as teammates on Feb. 11, when they lost 101-98 at home to the Philadelphia 76ers. Since then, the team has gone 2-6 in their last eight games. When they were 28 down at halftime, they were on their way to their fifth loss in a row and their fourth loss by more than 10 points. But they came back strong in Boston, where they lost by 43 points on Feb. 1 and won 115-105.

Despite trailing 51-23, the Nets outscored the Celtics by a whopping 92-54 in the final 31:23. It was similar to the comeback they staged against the Knicks on February 16, 2022, in New York, and on March 19, 2019, in Sacramento.

The Nets went on their longest losing streak of the season, allowing 130 points per game. After allowing the Knicks to shoot 60.7%, the Nets gave up 53.1% in the first half. In the second half, they held the Celtics to 43% and forced 12 turnovers.

After a sluggish start, Bridges contributed to the offense’s success. His third 30-point game with Brooklyn saw him score 38 points.

In its season-best five-game winning streak, Charlotte averaged 122 points, but it heads to Brooklyn hoping to avoid a third defeat in a row. The Hornets were held to their second-lowest point total in Wednesday’s 105-91 loss to Phoenix, and on Friday, they were defeated by the visiting Orlando Magic 117-106 in a comeback attempt.

By allowing 64 points in the paint and 53.5 percent shooting, Charlotte was defeated. It was the 26th time that an opponent had a shot percentage of at least 50% against the Hornets.

P.J. Washington missed his fourth consecutive game due to a foot injury, in addition to missing LaMelo Bell due to his season-ending injury. Washington had scored 20 points in his previous four games before sitting out, and he might be out again on Sunday.

The Hornets will be hoping for another big night from Kelly Oubre Jr., who scored 26 points on Wednesday and 29 points on Friday in his fifth game back from surgery on a hand ligament. Washington is not playing for the Hornets.

NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (34-30) at Los Angeles Lakers (30-34)

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NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (34-30) at Los Angeles Lakers (30-34)

On Sunday afternoon, the Golden State Warriors will face the rival Los Angeles Lakers to kick off a three-game road trip. The Warriors are excited to finally have the superstar advantage.

When the Warriors and Lakers meet for the fourth and final time this season, the Warriors expect Stephen Curry to return from an 11-game absence caused by a partially torn ligament in his left knee.

They won’t have to deal with LeBron James this time because he’s still out with a foot injury.

Ten days ago, the Lakers defeated the Western Conference playoff contenders 124-111 at home after taking advantage of Curry’s absence. Before finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, James had a chance at a triple-double.

Before that, Curry outscored James 33-31 on the Warriors’ opening night, when they handed out their 2022 championship rings and won 123-109.

They then both missed a rematch on February 11 in Los Angeles, which the Lakers won 109-103. With 26 points, Dennis Schroder led the hosts in that game.

In Curry’s absence, the Warriors are 7-4. However, they interspersed road losses against both Los Angeles teams and Portland with seven wins in eight games played at home.

The Warriors have won five of their last six games at home. However, their last five losses have come on the road.

The last four of Golden State’s home victories over Minnesota, Portland, the Clippers, and New Orleans came from deficits of as much as 14 points, 23 points, 12 points, and 17 points, respectively.

In the five victories, Klay Thompson scored an average of 28.6 points and made 28 of 55 (31%) 3-pointers. Over that time, he has made the most 3-pointers in NBA history.

Friday’s 110-102 loss to the Timberwolves kicked off a five-game homestand for the Lakers, who were desperate for wins as they looked up at the Warriors and nine other teams in the Western standings.

The Lakers’ Anthony Davis scored 38 points and made 12 of 22 shots, but his nine teammates only went 24-for-64 (38 percent) and scored 64 points.

Since James suffered his injury last week against Dallas, the Lakers are now 1-2. Darvin Ham, Los Angeles coach, was unhappy with the performance against Minnesota.

NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (28-36) at Chicago Bulls (29-35)

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NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (28-36) at Chicago Bulls (29-35)

During the lengthy NBA season, every rebuilding team will experience setbacks. This does not apply to the Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers will try to get back on track on Sunday when they play the Chicago Bulls to end a four-game road trip, one game after giving an uninspired performance in their loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Before falling to San Antonio 110-99 on Thursday, Indiana had won two straight and three of four. The Spurs, who currently hold the third-worst record in the league, outscored Indiana 31-16 in the third quarter.

After All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed Thursday’s game due to tightness in his right calf, Indiana hopes to have him back in the lineup.

Without Haliburton, who is averaging 20.1 points and 10.1 assists, the Pacers are 2-11 this season. In his place, rookie Andrew Nembhard had trouble against San Antonio, scoring four points on 0-of-8 shooting.

One bright spot was guard Chris Duarte’s performance, breaking out of a long shooting slump with 18 points on 8 of 14 shots, including 2 of 3 attempts from three-point range.

One game behind Chicago, the Pacers are 12th in the Eastern Conference. The two groups are engaging for tenth spot and a spot in the association’s play-in competition. Two games ahead of the Bulls, the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors currently hold the final two spots.

After falling 125-104 to Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Chicago is reevaluating its strategy. Phoenix shot 20 of 47 (42.6 percent) from beyond the arc, led by 35 points from Devin Booker, who also made six 3-pointers, matching his career high.

20 points came from Durant.

With 28.7 attempts and 10.3 made 3-pointers, the Bulls rank 30th in the NBA. After shooting 7 of 23 from three-point range against the Suns, coach Billy Donovan stated that the team needed to improve those numbers.

Zach LaVine had 27 points in the loss to Phoenix, while DeMar DeRozan had 31. According to DeRozan, the Bulls must immediately concentrate on Indiana.

The last time Chicago played the Pacers was on February 15, when it lost 117-113. In the game, LaVine scored 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. In his last five games against Indiana, he has averaged 25.2 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (35-29) at Dallas Mavericks (33-31)

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NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (35-29) at Dallas Mavericks (33-31)

On Sunday, the Phoenix Suns play a matinee against the Dallas Mavericks, who are trying to win consecutive games for the first time since the All-Star break. This will be the final game of a four-game road trip for the Suns.

Phoenix defeated Chicago 125-104 on Friday, winning for the second time in a row in its second game with Kevin Durant in the lineup. Durant, who was acquired from Brooklyn in a trade last month, scored 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and had six assists against the Bulls.

He made his debut on Wednesday in Charlotte, scoring 23 points and grabbing six rebounds to help the Suns defeat the Hornets 105-91.

Booker scored 37 points in Charlotte and 35 points in Chicago after taking advantage of Durant’s absence in both of the previous two games. Josh Okogie scored 25 points on Friday, making him one of three Phoenix scorers with 20 or more points. Booker and Durant also scored 20 or more points.

Durant played 26:50 and 30:54 minutes in his first two appearances since joining the Suns following an MCL sprain.

Phoenix has a chance to finish its road trip at 3-1 and win three straight when it travels to Dallas. In contrast, the Mavericks are trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since losing three straight on Feb. 10.

Dallas defeated Philadelphia on Thursday by a score of 133-126 to get back on track after suffering consecutive defeats on Sunday to the Los Angeles Lakers and Tuesday to Indiana.

The Mavericks scored 133 points, which was their third-highest total of the season. Since returning from the All-Star break, they have now played two of their three most productive games of the season. They defeated San Antonio by 26 points after the break, scoring 142 points.

A franchise first was also established by Thursday’s victory. The first time two Mavericks have scored at least 40 points in the same game was when Luka Doncic scored 42 points and Kyrie Irving scored 40.

Phoenix’s arrival will pose a challenge to Dallas’ offensive progress as the Suns enter one of their best defensive periods of the season.

On February 26, Phoenix’s road trip began with a three-point loss to Milwaukee. However, in their final game without Kevin Durant, the Suns only allowed 104 points to the Bucks.

Monty Williams, the head coach of Phoenix, stated that the team “played the kind of defense we’re capable of playing” following Friday’s victory.

The Mavs have won two of their three meetings with Phoenix this season, including a 130-111 victory on December 5 in Dallas.

Rangers sign Free Agent LHP Will Smith to One-Year Major League Contract

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Rangers sign Free Agent LHP Will Smith to One-Year Major League Contract

Smith will join the club’s Spring Training workouts in Surprise, Arizona today

Surprise, Ariz. — The Texas Rangers this morning announced that the club has signed free agent left-handed pitcher Will Smith to a one-year Major League contract.  Smith will join the team’s Spring Training workouts in Surprise today.

To make room on the Major League roster for Smith, infielder Mark Mathias has been designated for assignment.

Smith, 33, split last season with Atlanta and Houston, combining for a 3.97 ERA and 5 saves over 65 relief appearances.  He was acquired by Houston on August 2 in exchange for current Ranger Jake Odorizzi and produced a 3.27 ERA (8 ER/22.0 IP) over 24 relief outings for the Astros.  Houston declined a 2023 club option for Smith on November 9, making him a free agent.

Smith has pitched exclusively for playoff teams over the past three seasons.  He made 3 appearances for Atlanta in the club’s 2020 National League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers at Globe Life Field.  He also totaled 11.0 scoreless innings over 11 postseason appearances in the Braves’ 2021 World Championship run, going 2-0 with 6 saves.  Smith was on the Astros’ World Series roster last year, but did not appear in the club’s Fall Classic win over Philadelphia.

The Georgia native produced a career-best 37 saves for Atlanta in 2021 and was an All-Star with San Francisco in 2019, which was current Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy’s final season with the Giants.  Since the start of 2018, Smith has a 3.27 ERA with 90 saves and a 1.125 WHIP figure over 271 relief outings, and his 11.61 strikeouts per 9 innings over that span ranks 15th among all MLB relievers with at least 200 appearances.

Smith owns a career 3.59 ERA with 91 saves over 513 games spanning 10 Major League seasons with Kansas City (2012-13), Milwaukee (2014-16), San Francisco (2016, 2018-19), Atlanta (2020-22), and Houston (2022).  He was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida.

Mathias has played in 5 games for Texas this spring, batting .300 (30-10) with 3 RBI and 3 walks.  He was acquired by Texas from Milwaukee in a trade on August 2, 2022, and hit .277 over 24 with the Rangers to end last season.  The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright Mathias to the minor leagues.

Colorado Rockies agree to terms with left-handed pitcher Brad Hand

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Colorado Rockies agree to terms with left-handed pitcher Brad Hand

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Kinley placed on the 60-day injured list

SCOTTSDALE – The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have agreed to terms with left-handed reliever Brad Hand on a one-year contract that covers the 2023 season. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Tyler Kinley has been placed on the 60-day injured list.

Hand, 32, went 3-2 with five saves and a 2.80 ERA (45.0 IP, 14 ER) in 55 appearances for Philadelphia in 2022 … held left-handed hitters to a .217 average (13-for-60) while righties hit .226 (24-for-106) … the three-time All-Star (2017-18, ‘19) has recorded seven 20-plus save seasons with his 129 total saves from 2017-22 ranking seventh-most in baseball … in 519 career appearances across parts of 12 seasons with Florida/Miami (2011-15), San Diego (2016-18), Cleveland (2018-20), Washington (2021), New York-NL (2021), Toronto (2021) and Philadelphia (2022), has gone 35-52 with 131 saves and a 3.62 ERA (718.1 IP, 289 ER) … the Minneapolis, Minn. native was originally selected by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Cardinals trim seven from spring roster

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Cardinals trim seven from spring roster

58 PLAYERS REMAIN IN MAJOR LEAGUE CAMP

JUPITER, Fla., – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 58 players, with seven players optioned or assigned to minor league camp.

The team optioned pitchers Freddy Pacheco and Guillermo Zuniga to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigned non-roster pitchers James Naile, Tommy Parsons and Kodi Whitley to minor league camp along with non-roster catchers Aaron Antonini and Jimmy Crooks.

Colorado Rockies Spring Training transactions

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Colorado Rockies Spring Training transactions

SCOTTSDALE – The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have reassigned infielder Grant Lavigne, catcher/infielder Hunter Goodman, catcher Roniker Palma and right-handed pitcher Case Williams to Minor League Camp.

The Rockies have 58 players remaining in Major League Spring Training Camp, including 18 non-roster players. The Rockies have a full 40-man roster.

NHL Preview: St. Louis Blues (27-29-5) at Los Angeles Kings (35-20-8)

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NHL Preview: St. Louis Blues (27-29-5) at Los Angeles Kings (35-20-8)

ST. LOUIS BLUES NOTES:

CURRENT INJURIES
Jake Neighbours – Upper-Body (Will be re-evaluated in 5 weeks; announced on Feb. 20)
2022-23 Total Man Games Lost: 242

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
March
3 – Acquired forward Jakub Vrana from Detroit in exchange for Dylan McLaughlin and a 2025 7th-round draft pick
2 – Signed forward Sammy Blais to a one-year, $1,000,000 contract extension
1 – Signed defenseman Michael Buchinger to a three-year, entry-level contract February

BLUES VS. KINGS

  • The Blues and Kings will meet for the 2nd of 3 matchups this season (Last matchup on Mar. 26 in Los Angeles)
  • The Kings won the 1st matchup of the season, 5-1, back on Oct. 31 in St. Louis
  • The Blues went 2-0-1 against Los Angeles last season (2-0-0 at home; 0-0-1 away)
  • The Blues are 3-1-1 in their last 5 games against the Kings
  • The Blues are 4-2-2 in their last 8 games against the Kings
  • The Blues have earned points in back-to-back games in Los Angeles (1-0-1)
  • The Blues are 6-2-2 in their last 10 trips to Los Angeles
  • The Blues have not allowed a power play goal to the Kings in 4 of their last 5 matchups, going 15 for 16 (93.8%) on the penalty kill over those 5 games
  • Robert Thomas is expected to dress in his 300th career game
  • With his next appearance, Jordan Binnington will pass Greg Millen for 5th on the Blues all-time franchise list with 210 games played

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
3/7 – at Arizona
3/9 – vs. San Jose
3/11 – at Columbus
3/12 – vs. Vegas
3/15 – vs. Minnesota

A LOOK AHEAD

  • The Blues will continue their 3-game road trip to start the month of March on Saturday in Los Angeles (1-0-0 so far), which will finish Tuesday in Arizona
  • The Blues will play 14 more games in March (8 away; 6 home)
  • 11 of the Blues’ 15 games in March will come against Central Division opponents (3 against the Central)

LOS ANGELES KINGS NOTES:

MARCH 4 vs. St. Louis Blues – 7:30 PM PT // Venue: Crypto.com Arena // TV: Bally Sports West // Radio: iHeartRadio

  • The LA Kings host the St. Louis Blues for the second of three meetings between these two clubs this season (5-1 W on Oct. 31; Mar. 26).
  • The Kings aim for their third win in a row vs. the Blues (3-2 SOW on Nov. 3, 2021; 5-1 W on Oct. 31, 2022).
  • Tonight’s game marks the second game of the team’s three-game homestand (3-2 W on Mar. 2 vs. MTL; March 6 vs. WSH).

WARM-UPS
1) With his goal Thursday night vs. Montreal, Gabriel Vilardi eclipsed the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career.
2) Alex Iafallo has six points in his last six games vs. St. Louis, dating ack to March 6, 2021.
3) The Kings are 5-2 against Central Division teams at home this season.
4) No team has more one-goal victories this season than the Kings’ 20.
5) Adrian Kempe (118-114=232) is two points shy of tying Marty McSorley (71-163=234) for the 29th-most points in franchise history.

vs. ST. LOUIS ALL-TIME:
All-Time Record: 85-106-22-6
Home: 52-40-12-4
Away: 33-66-10-2
OT: 5-7 (13 ties)
Shootout: 4-2
2021-22: 1-2-0
2022-23: 1-0-0

FRANCHISE LEADERS vs. ST. LOUIS:
Marcel Dionne – 41 GP, 74 PTS (27-47=74)
Anze Kopitar* – 59 GP, 61 PTS (20-41=61)
Dave Taylor – 45 GP, 52 PTS (23-29=52)
Luc Robitaille – 48 GP, 44 PTS (22-22=44)
Butch Goring – 45 GP, 38 PTS (13-25=38)
*-denotes active roster player

LAST MEETING vs. ST. LOUIS: Oct. 31, 2022 – LAK 5 at STL 1
Venue: Enterprise Center
LAK Goals: Vilardi (8), Grundstrom (2, 3), Kopitar (2), Kaliyev (3)
STL Goals: Toropchenko (1)
Goalies: LAK: Quick (W; 27 saves – 28 shots) STL: Binnington (L; 14 saves – 19 shots), Griess (11 saves – 11 shots)
LAK PP: 1-for-3
LAK PK: 4-for-4

THE NEXT THREE:
Mon., March 6 | vs. Washington Capitals | 7:30 p.m. PT | Bally Sports West | LA Kings iHeart Radio Audio Network
The Kings host the Capitals at Crypto.com Arena for the first time since Nov. 17, 2021 (2-0 L)

Thurs., March 9 | at Colorado Avalanche | 7:00 p.m. MT (6:00 p.m. PT) | Bally Sports West | LA Kings iHeart Radio Audio Network
The Kings aim for their second victory in Denver this season (5-4 SOW, Dec. 29).

Sat., March 11 | vs. Nashville | 7:30 p.m. PT | Bally Sports West | LA Kings iHeart Radio Audio Network
Anze Kopitar has four points in his last three games against the Predators (0-4=4).

INJURY & MGL REPORT
Player, Games Missed, Date(s), Status
F Alex Iafallo, 23 games, Oct. 18 – Dec. 3 (lower-body)
F Trevor Moore, 21 games, Dec. 27 – Jan. 31 (upper-body); Feb. 23 – Pres. (upper-body)
F Brendan Lemieux, 18 games, Nov. 14 – Dec. 20 (lower-body)
F Arthur Kaliyev, 18 games, Dec. 22 – Jan. 31 (lower-body)
F Carl Grundstrom, 15 games, Jan. 19 – Feb. 26 (lower-body)
F Gabriel Vilardi, 10 games, Nov. 27 (lower-body); Jan. 19 – Feb. 13 (undisclosed)
F Quinton Byfield, 6 games, Oct. 27 – Nov. 5 (illness)
F Viktor Arvidsson, 3 games, Oct. 13 (illness); Oct. 25 (illness); Jan. 11 (illness)
D Sean Durzi, 2 games, Nov. 19 – Nov. 22. (lower-body)
D Drew Doughty, 1 game, Dec. 11 (lower-body)
2022-23 Total Regular-Season Man-Games Lost: 117

RECENT TRANSACTIONS (as of 3/1/23)
Feb. 28 – Vladislav Gavrikov (D) and Joonas Korpisalo (G) acquired from Columbus in exchange for Jonathan Quick (G), a conditional 2023 first-round draft pick and a 2024 third-round draft pick.
Mar. 1 – Tobias Bjornfot (D) loaned to Ontario (AHL).
Mar. 1 – Rights to Erik Portillo (G) acquired from Buffalo in exchange for a 2023 third-round draft pick.
Mar. 3 – Zack MacEwen (F) acquired from Philadelphia in exchange for Brendan Lemieux (F) and a 2024 fifth-round draft pick.
Mar. 3 – Nate Schnarr (F) acquired from Montreal in exchange for Frederic Allard (D).
Mar. 3 – Austin Wagner (F) traded to Chicago for future considerations.

NHL Preview: Minnesota Wild (35-21-6) at Calgary Flames (27-22-13)

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NHL Preview: Minnesota Wild (35-21-6) at Calgary Flames (27-22-13)

MINNESOTA WILD NOTES:

SERIES NOTES
GAME BROADCASTS
CALGARY FLAMES
All-Time Wild Record: 41-43-15 (25-16-9 at Xcel Energy Center, 16-27-6 at Calgary)

2022-23: The Wild fell in the first season meeting, 5-3, at Scotiabank Saddledome (12/7)…C Connor Dewar (0-2=2), D Jon Merrill (1-1=2) and C Mason Shaw (1-1=2) led Minnesota with two points each… LW Kirill Kaprizov (1-0=1) also scored a goal…G Marc-Andre Fleury saved 22-of-26 shots faced for Minnesota…D Rasmus Andersson (1-2=3) and C Elias Lindholm (0-3=3) led Vancouver with three points each…C Blake Coleman (1-1=2), C Adam Ruzicka (0-2=2) and RW Tyler Toffoli (2-0=2) all added multi-point performances…G Dan Vlader stopped 25-of-28 shots faced for the Canucks.

WILD LEADERS: D Jared Spurgeon leads the Wild with 13 points (5-8=13) in 37 games against Calgary…D Alex Goligoski owns 10 assists in 39 contests…LW Marcus Foligno has nine points (7-2=9) in 20 matches.

WILD GOALIES: Fleury is 14-6-1 with a 2.13 GAA, a .930 SV% and five shutouts in 22 career starts vs. Calgary…G Filip Gustavsson is 2-0-0 with a 1.61 GAA and a .949 SV% in three games (two starts).

FLAMES LEADERS: Toffoli leads the Flames with 18 points (9-9=18) in 25 games played against Minnesota …C Mikael Backlund leads the Flames with 17 points (6-11=17) in 37 matches…C Nazem Kadri owns 16 points (8-8=15) in 29 games…Lindholm owns 16 points (5- 11=16) in 18 games.

FLAMES GOALIES: G Jacob Markstrom is 5-2-2 with a 2.55 GAA and a .912 SV% in 10 games (nine starts) vs. the Wild…G Dan Vladar is 1-0-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .893 SV% in one start.

FAST FACTS: Minnesota is 15-11-4 in its last 30 games against Calgary…The Wild owns points in 26 of its last 36 games in Saint Paul (19-10-7) and is 13-9-2 in its last 24 games at the Saddledome after starting 3-18-4

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
3/3/23 Acquired a second-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft and a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for LW Jordan Greenway. Buffalo previously acquired the 2023 second-round selection from the Vegas Golden Knights
3/3/23 Acquired C Oskar Sundqvist from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft
3/3/23 Acquired D John Klingberg from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for D Andrej Sustr, the rights to F Nikita Nesterenko and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Anaheim retained 50% of Klingberg’s salary
3/3/23 Reassigned D Dakota Mermis to Iowa

ON THE POWER PLAY
• The Wild has converted 28.6 percent (28 of 98) of power-play opportunities at home this season, fourth-best in the NHL.

• Since Jan. 19, Minnesota ranks tied for second in the NHL with 13 power-play goals. Minnesota is 13-for-56 (23.2%) with the man advantage during that span, eighth-best in the NHL, and has scored a power-play goal in 12 of 19 contests.

PENALTY KILLERS
• Had a streak of 27 consecutive successful penalty kills across 14 total games snapped by allowing a PPG to Vancouver (3/2). Did not allow a power-play goal in 12 consecutive games from 2/8 – 2/28, the longest streak in the NHL this season, tied for the longest streak in franchise history and tied for the 13th-longest streak in the NHL’s Expansion Era (since 1967-68 season)

• For the season, the Wild is ninth in the NHL with a 82.0 penalty-kill percentage (160 for 195).

• Since Nov. 8, Minnesota is fifth in the NHL with a 83.9 penalty-kill percentage (135 for 161).

• Minnesota is seventh in the NHL with a 82.2 penalty-kill percentage (83 of 101) on the road this season.

CALGARY FLAMES NOTES:

FLAMES LAST GAME RECAP
March 2, 2023 – CALGARY FLAMES [1] vs. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [2]
The Calgary Flames welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Scotiabank Saddledome amid a three-game homestand on Thursday night. Blake Coleman opened the scoring for the Flames just 2:32 into the game with his second shorthanded goal of the season and the Flames were up 1-0 through 20. In the second, both teams fired 14 shots on goal but it was Mitch Marner who scored the only goal to tie the game at ones. Calle Jarnkrok would give Toronto the lead 2:20 into the third, and the Leafs held on to win 2-1.
CGY GOAL SCORERS: Coleman (14)
GOALIE: Markstrom (32/34, .941 Sv%)
PP: 0/2 (0%)
PK: 2/2 (100%)
FLAMES LAST FIVE RESULTS, RECORD: 1-2-2
DATE RESULT GWG CGY GOALIE OPP. GOALIE
March 2, 2023 TOR [2] vs. CGY [2] Jarnkrok Markstrom Woll
February 28, 2023 BOS [4] at CGY 3 McAvoy Vladar/Markstrom Ullmark
February 25, 2023 CGY [1] at COL [4] Newhook Markstrom Georgiev
February 23, 2023 CGY [3] at VGK 4 Pietrangelo Vladar Brossoit
February 22, 2023 CGY [6] at ARI [3] Pelletier Vladar Vejmelka
*shootout winning goal

FLAMES UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
DATE TIME
(MST) OPPONENT VENUE
March 4, 2023 8:00pm vs. Minnesota Wild Scotiabank Saddledome
March 6, 2023 6:30pm at Dallas Stars American Airlines Center
March 7, 2023 6:00pm at Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center
March 10, 2023 7:00pm vs. Anaheim Ducks Scotiabank Saddledome
March 12, 2023 7:00pm vs. Ottawa Senators Scotiabank Saddledome

TONIGHTS STORYLINES & STATS
This is the second of three matchups this season between the Flames and Wild. The Flames won 5-3 in the clubs first meeting in December. This is a Pacific Division versus Central Division matchup; The Flames have an overall record of 7-7-2 against Central Division opponents this season and a record of 16-10-5 against Western Conference opponents.

LAST MEETING WITH THE WILD:
The Calgary Flames welcomed the Minnesota Wild to the Scotiabank Saddledome back on December 7th. The Flames fell behind early with Kirill Kaprizov and Mason Shaw both scoring before the three-minute mark to make it 2-0 Wild through 20. However, in the second period it would be the Flames who would come out of the gate flying, first with Nazem Kadri scoring just 16 seconds into the frame on the powerplay followed by Blake Coleman netting his fifth and Tyler Toffoli deflecting home his ninth and with just 3:11 gone in the second, the Flames had flipped the script and taken their first lead of the night, 3-2. Calgary would maintain that lead until 15:45 of the third when Jon Merrill’s point shot took a deflection to tie the game. Off the ensuing draw the Flames would gain possession and 12 seconds later Rasmus Andersson’s backhand would beat Marc-Andre Fleury to help the Flames regain the lead 4-3. Toffoli would add an empty netter for his second of the night, and the Flames closed out a five-game homestand with a 5-3 win over the Wild.

CALGARY FLAMES vs. MINNESOTA WILD
CGY vs. MIN ALL-TIME HOME AWAY L10 STRK
54-29-4-12 30-11-3-5 24-18-1-7 7-2-1 W1

GAME INFO:
Calgary Flames vs. Minnesota Wild
8:00pm MT
Scotiabank Saddledome
TV: CBC, Sportsnet, City
Radio: Sportsnet Fan 960

2022-23 Season Series: 0-0-0 (Home: 0-0-0, Road 0-0-0)
Dec. 7, 2022 – MIN [3] at CGY [5]
Mar. 4, 2023 – MIN at CGY
Mar. 7, 2023 – CGY at MIN

2021-22 Season Record vs. MIN: 2-0-1 (Home: 1-0-0, Road: 1-0-1)
Last Home Win vs. MIN: December 7, 2022 – Minnesota [3] vs. Calgary [5]
Last Road Win @ MIN: March 1, 2022 – Calgary [5] at Minnesota [1]
Last Home Loss vs. MIN: March 2, 2019 – Minnesota [4] vs. Calgary [2]
Last Road Loss @ MIN: April 28, 2022 – Calgary [2] at Minnesota 3

2022-23 CALGARY FLAMES
FLAMES RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
Feb. 5 – recalled Jakob Pelletier (F) and Dennis Gilbert (D) from Calgary (AHL)
Feb. 6 – activated Chris Tanev (D) from IR
Feb. 21 – recalled Walker Duehr (F) from Calgary (AHL); placed Michael Stone (D) on IR
Mar. 3 – acquired Dryden Hunt (F) from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Radim Zohorna (F)
Mar. 3 – acquired Troy Stecher (D) and Nick Ritchie (F) from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Brett Ritchie (F) and Connor Mackey (D)

FLAMES RECENT INJURIES (Total man games lost – 47)
Noah Hanifin – illness (1 game: Oct. 21)
Chris Tanev – upper-body (5 games: Nov. 3 – Nov. 10)
Jonathan Huberdeau – upper-body (3 games: Nov. 8 – Nov. 12)
Michael Stone – lower-body (11 games: Nov. 7 – Nov. 25)
MacKenzie Weegar – non-COVID illness (1 game: Dec. 12)
Elias Lindholm – upper-body injury (1 game: Dec. 12)
Chris Tanev – upper-body injury (3 games: Dec. 14 – Dec. 18)
Radim Zohorna – non-COVID illness (1 game: Dec. 18)
Dennis Gilbert – lower-body injury (4 games: Dec. 20 – Dec. 27)
Brett Ritchie – upper-body injury (8 games: Jan. 8 – Jan. 26)
Chris Tanev – injury reserve (2 games: Jan. 26 – Jan. 27)
Rasmus Andersson – day-to-day (3 games: Feb. 9 – Feb. 13)
Michael Stone – lower-body injury (4 games: Feb. 22 – Mar. 2)

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