5 THINGS - FLAMES @ MAPLE LEAFS

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GAME DAY VIDEO
Game Day with Brendan Parker
Pre-Game Interviews
GAME DAY FEATURES
'Recipe For Success'
Projected Lineup
Say What - 'It's a Big One For Us'
STAT PACK
Head-to-Head Stats
Media Game Notes
Scoring Leaders
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Leading Scorers:
Flames:
Points- Elias Lindholm (27)
Goals - Johnny Gaudreau (12)
Maple Leafs:
Points - Mitch Marner (39)
Goals - Auston Matthews (21)
Special Teams:
Flames:
PP - 20.6% (15th) / PK - 78.6% (15th)
Maple Leafs:
PP - 29.9% (2nd) / PK - 75.6% (22nd)
Advanced Stats:
Flames:
Shot Attempts: 50% (15th)
High-Danger Chances: 52.31% (9th)
Maple Leafs:
Shot Attempts: 49.75% (17th)
High-Danger Chances: 51.72% (11th)

1. US

After starting the Darryl Sutter V2.0 Era a perfect 3-0, the Flames suffered their first defeat under their new bench boss in a 7-3 loss to provincial rivals Edmonton Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund and Johnny Gaudreau provided the markers for the homeside, while Jacob Markstrom made 23 saves in his sixth straight start.
Things got away from the club in the third period after trailing 2-0 and 3-1, respectively, after the first and second stanzas, finding themselves quickly in a 5-1 hole after back-to-back Oilers powerplay goals in the early stages of the final frame.
"We weren't our best and it showed on the scoreboard," Gaudreau said on the loss. "We played from behind the whole game. We need to be prepared to play right from the start and be better in all areas.
"We got away from our game from what we did the previous three games. We need to get back to that and we can get comfortable right now. There are still games to go but we need to win the majority of them to make playoffs and can't have too many off-games like that."
With the loss, the Flames are now 14-13-3 on the season, currently sitting just three points back of the Montreal Canadiens for fourth in the North Division.
It doesn't get easier going from Connor McDavid and Leon Draistal to Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner inthis two-game set with the Leafs.
Yet another stiff test, squaring off against the top-ranked club in the division.
"We have to play harder," Matthew Tkachuk said. "We need to play the way that will make our team be successful. If we play like we did against Edmonton, we're going to be in for two long nights. I guarantee Toronto was watching that game licking their chops with the way we played. Those skilled guys over there want a game like that on Friday and Saturday. That's not the way we're going to play against them, I can guarantee that."

2. THEM

The Maple Leafs also find themselves looking for a bounce-back game, suffering back-to-back losses after a 5-2 setback to Winnipeg and 4-3 decision to Ottawa last weekend.
They've hit a slide as of late, losing five of their last six games by a combined score of 23-15. Their once comfortable cushion sitting atop the North Division is gone.
"The break we had this week came at the right time for us," Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe told the media after Thursday's practice. "We need to get back on track and get back to our game.
"We're excited to play against Calgary and with Darryl coming in, he has changed their attitude and mindset. It was a refresh for them. We know the challenge they pose and the first three games after the coaching change, they played that Darryl Sutter brand of hockey that is tough and their players have embraced it.
"Even before the switch up, when they came here last time they gave us a hard time so we know how hard they will compete. We're definitely ready for a competitive weekend."

3. THIS, THAT & THE OTHER

This: With a goal last outing, Elias Lindholm has five points in his last five games and is just three points away from 350 in his career. On the road, Lindholm has racked up 16 points in as many games, including six on the powerplay ... That: In two starts against the Leafs this season, David Rittich is 1-0-1 with a ridiculous 0.99 goals-against-average and a .973 save percentage, which was highlighted by a shutout on Feb. 22 ... The Other: Since their last meeting on Feb. 24, the Flames have posted 5-4-1 mark while the Leafs have gone 4-5.

4. PLAYERS TO WATCH

Flames - Matthew Tkachuk
Fresh off of a two-point night against the Oilers, Tkachuk has five assists in the past five games and is tied for the team-lead in scoring for the month of March alongside Lindholm with eight points.
The winger has been effective against the Maple Leafs in the season series, recording four points (2G, 2A) in four games, with three in the previous two outings - which included scoring his 100th career NHL goal in Toronto on Feb. 22.
Maple Leafs - Mitch Marner
There's no questioning the firepower Toronto possesses, with Marner being one of the standouts. Not only does the winger lead the club in points with 39 (11G, 28A) but he also comes into the contest riding a four-game point streak with five points.
In addition, the former fourth-overall pick in the 2015 draft has four points in four games against the Flames this season.

5. QUOTABLE

"In this division there's way too much power in terms of offence and our team has to play a very strong checking game … It doesn't matter who we play next. This group needs to learn that we don't have the firepower to not put ourselves in a position to be good defenders, check or play well in our zone. That's not going to happen. If we don't play that way there will be struggles."
- Head coach Darryl Sutter on the style of play needed in order to be successful