Get ready for a thrilling ice hockey showdown! The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up to face the Calgary Flames in a highly anticipated match on January 21, 2026.
The Penguins, currently sitting at 23-14-11 and 57 points, are in third place in the Metropolitan Division. They are set to take on the Flames, who are in seventh place in the Pacific Division with a record of 21-23-5 and 47 points. This game promises to be a battle of contrasting styles and strategies.
Mark your calendars for 9:30 p.m. Eastern time to catch all the action! You can watch it locally on Sportsnet Pittsburgh, SN1, and TVAS in Canada, or stream it online via ESPN+.
The Penguins' journey continues with a road trip to Edmonton the next day, followed by a rare two-day break for some team bonding. They'll wrap up their trip in Vancouver on Sunday, then return home for a few days of rest before their busy schedule resumes on Thursday, January 29th, leading up to the Olympic break.
Now, let's talk about the Flames' recent performance. Since their last encounter with the Penguins on January 10th, they've had a rollercoaster ride. They lost to Columbus and beat Chicago on their eastern road trip, then returned home to split a pair of games, beating the Islanders but falling to the Devils in overtime. This inconsistent stretch has seen them win six out of their last 12 games (6-5-1).
But here's where it gets interesting: the Flames took a 2-1 victory in a physical game a couple of weeks ago, thanks to Devin Cooley's impressive 27 saves, which snapped Pittsburgh's six-game winning streak. Egor Chinakhov scored the lone goal for the Penguins, while Matthew Coronato's third-period goal secured the win for Calgary.
And this is the part most people miss: Rickard Rakell is on a three-game point streak, and the Penguins have a remarkable 12-2-2 record this season when he records a point.
Let's take a closer look at the Flames' lineup:
Forwards:
- Connor Zary, Nazem Kadri, and Matvei Gridin
- Jonathan Huberdeau, Morgan Frost, and Joel Farabee
- Yegor Sharangovich, Mikael Backlund, and Matt Coronato
- Ryan Lomberg, Justin Kirkland, and Adam Klapka
Defensemen:
- Kevin Bahl and Zach Whitecloud
- Yan Kuznetsov and MacKenzie Weegar
- Joel Hanley and Hunter Brzustewicz
Goalies: Dustin Wolf and Devin Cooley
Potential Scratches: Dryden Hunt and Brayden Pachal
Injured Reserve: Blake Coleman, John Beecher, Samuel Honzek, and Jake Bean
Some notable changes since the last PIT/CGY game include the departure of key defenseman Rasmus Andersson and the addition of Zach Whitecloud. Andersson's absence is significant, as he contributed 10 goals and 30 points this season for the Flames. Meanwhile, the young Brzustewicz has stepped up on the power play, despite limited NHL experience, showcasing his offensive skills.
As for the Penguins, all eyes are on Kris Letang, who missed practice yesterday due to an upper-body injury. His potential absence would be a significant setback for an already thin defense without Erik Karlsson. Karlsson, who has been out of action, claims to be feeling better but remains uncertain for tonight's game.
The goalie situation is intriguing. While Dustin Wolf has been Calgary's primary goalie, Devin Cooley's recent stellar performances have led to a more even split. Cooley's strong showing against the Penguins in their recent loss has raised questions about who will start in this game. With Cooley's impressive stats in 2026, will the Flames stick with him or revert to Wolf, who has struggled this calendar year?
The Flames' physicality was on full display in their last meeting with the Penguins, with Adam Klapka's imposing presence and Kevin Bahl's strong play. However, their offensive struggles are evident, ranking low in goals per game and power play efficiency. This game could be a turning point for the Flames if they can find a way to generate more offense.
The key to this game lies in the Penguins' ability to solve the Flames' goaltending conundrum. Despite the Flames' offensive woes, their goaltending has been a bright spot. If the Penguins can replicate their performance against Seattle, where they scored 5 non-empty net goals, they could be in for a dominant performance. However, they must capitalize on their chances, especially given Calgary's defensive vulnerabilities.
Lastly, Sidney Crosby continues to etch his name in the history books. With a three-game multi-point streak, he's surpassed Gordie Howe and is closing in on Mark Messier and Marcel Dionne. Crosby's pursuit of greatness is a testament to his legendary status.
Who do you think will come out on top in this exciting matchup? Will the Penguins' offense prevail, or will the Flames' goaltending shine once again? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
