A mirror image

The Habs will running into another version of themselves tonight in Calgary.

The Flames, like the Habs, are 2-0 this season, but both teams have managed only 44 shots on goal. The Flames have faced 76 while the Habs have allowed 81, which technically gives Calgary the edge in that department, though I doubt either team would be bragging about this stat right about now.

In any case, something is going to give tonight when the two teams face each other at the Saddledome.

Calgary, incredibly, has scored five goals on 13 first period shots in their two games thus far, so I guess the Habs should be on their toes for the start of the game. But on the other hand, if Calgary only manages six or seven shots in the first, Montreal should be in decent shape.

This is obviously a big game for Mike Cammalleri, who enjoyed his one season with the Flames but got squeezed out when Calgary acquired Jay Bouwmeester. He's actually worried about whether or not he'll get booed, which has to be the first time I've ever heard a hockey player actually admit that.

While Carey Price is the biggest reason why the Habs have started the season 2-0, it will be Jaroslav Halak between the pipes tonight in Calgary, freeing up Price to play in front of his friends and family in Vancouver tomorrow. Last season, a struggling Price spent his first game in his home province watching from the bench, before Guy Carbonneau threw him in for mop up duty to start the third.

For Halak, this is step one on the journey to increase his trade value, because it appears clear that he will only become a starter on another team. I'd be curious to know if the Chicago Blackhawks have any scouts at the game tonight.

Bon match!