Flames set to switch up defence pairings tonight

CALGARY, AB -- Heading into tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames' head coach Glen Gulutzan has made a few alterations to his defensive pairings.
Gulutzan has run through a variety of pairings throughout the last month in order to develop a firm grasp on his defence corps' strengths and weaknesses.
"We're going to get a different match-up at home so we'll look at some different pairings," Gulutzan explained after Thursday's skate at the Scotiabank Saddledome. "Right through training camp we've said ... those pairs, you can watch them practice but that's not necessarily how we'll play.

"We've got (Wideman) some reps on the left side and (Brodie) got his reps last week on the left side as well."
Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie, separated in Wednesday's 7-4 loss in Edmonton, will be reunited this evening. In their season opener, Giordano skated alongside Dennis Wideman while Brodie was partnered up with Deryk Engelland.
"Obviously me and (Brodie) have played together a long time and are familiar with each other," Giordano said. "We'll try and switch it up. We gave them too many chances ... whenever you lose games like that, you try to find a way to clean it up real quick."
Jyrki Jokipakka, scratched on Wednesday, is slated to make his 2016-17 debut tonight, skating with Dougie Hamilton while Wideman and Engelland are set to skate together this evening.
Brett Kulak and Nicklas Grossman are expected to be healthy scratches in tonight's contest.