The NHL returns on Saturday, August 1st, with their qualifying round and round-robin play. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a restart that will feature 24 teams competing for the Stanley Cup. The top four teams in each conference are competing in round-robin play to finalize the top four seeds. The next eight teams are competing in five-game seeded play to earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets will face off in Edmonton starting Saturday. The Flames finished the abbreviated regular season with 79 points on a 36-27-7 record, which was good for the 8th seed. The Jets finished the abbreviated regular season with 80 points on a 37-28-6 record, which was good for the 9th seed.
The Flames are in relatively good shape health-wise, but have questions in goal. Cam Talbot and David Rittich each gave up two goals in Calgary’s 4-1 exhibition loss to Edmonton. Talbot might have gained the edge in dealing with 19 shots and neither goal being viewed as really his fault.
The Jets arrived in Edmonton in relatively good shape, but saw forward Nikolaj Ehlers leave their 4-1 exhibition win over Vancouver looking a bit gimpy. Jets coach Paul Maurice said the departure was “100% precautionary,” according to reporter Ken Wiebe, and expects Ehlers to be fine. Ehlers was one of four Jets to score in the win.
Below is a full rundown of the Flames-Jets series and how to watch it. The NBC games are all available at NBCSports.com/live.
Flames vs. Jets series info
Saturday, Aug. 1: Jets vs. Flames, 10:30 p.m. | NBCSN, NHL.TV, NHL.TV, CBC, SN
Monday, Aug. 3: Jets vs. Flames, 2:30 p.m. | NHLN, NHL.TV, SN
Tuesday, Aug. 4: Flames vs. Jets, 4:45 p.m. | NHLN, NHL.TV, SN
Thursday, Aug. 6: Flames vs. Jets*, TBD
Saturday, Aug. 8: Jets vs. Flames*, TBD