Johnson gets the nod in return to Calgary

CALGARY - Chad Johnson is all too familiar with the experience of facing a former organization. An eight-year career spanning six NHL clubs (including two tours with the Sabres) will do that to a goaltender, although there will be an added element when he starts in net against the Calgary Flames on Monday.
The game not only marks Johnson's first matchup with the Flames since leaving their organization, it also represents a return to his hometown.
"I've had a lot of ex-teams so far along my way," Johnson said. "I think coming home, regardless if I had played for the Flames or not, it's always special being able to play in your hometown. But obviously having played here and had some success and friends on the team … it's always exciting to be back here, but a little more special knowing last year and how it went."

Johnson left Buffalo to sign a one-year deal with the Flames entering last season, and for a time he assumed starting duties. He made 30 starts through Jan. 24 before giving way to Brian Elliott, who became the hot hand as the Flames made their playoff run.
Calgary is positioned to make another push for the playoffs this season, and Johnson knows what to expect: speed, strong defense and organization. It's imperative, he said, that the Sabres establish consistency in their compete level, something they admittedly lacked in their 7-1 loss to Dallas on Saturday.
How the team responds to the adversity of that loss will be a point of emphasis for Sabres coach Phil Housley.
"That's the one thing," Housley said. "You can talk about the Calgary Flames and the way they're playing right now, really good hockey. We know what we're up against. But I think it's more about us. How are we going to respond after a loss and the way we did lose?
"That's what I'm looking for. I'm looking for what kind of response our team's going to push forward here as we move forward. Tonight's a good example."
Johnson came on in relief of Robin Lehner in the loss to Dallas, allowing three goals on 13 shots in 30:28. It was the continuation of what's been a difficult season for the goaltender, who has just one win in 17 appearances due in part to some lackluster defensive performances in front of him.
"It seems like a couple times when he's in there we haven't given our best performance even when he's been on his game," defenseman Nathan Beaulieu said. "It's unfortunate. We're not playing just for Johnny, we're playing together, and we've got to keep it in the back of our mind that he was here before and we haven't really given him an 'A game.'"
Coverage on Monday night begins at 8:30 p.m. with the GMC Game Night Pregame Show on MSG-B, or you can listen live on WGR 550. The puck drops at 9.

Scouting the Flames

Calgary enters the evening having earned a point in eight straight games after seeing its seven-game win streak snapped with a shootout loss to Winnipeg on Saturday. The Flames are tied with Los Angeles for third in the Pacific Division with 55 points.
Instrumental to the Flames' success has been the production from their top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Micheal Ferland. The trio has combined for 34 points in their last eight games: 13 from Gaudreau (2+11), 10 from Monahan (4+6) and nine from Ferland (4+5).
According to Corsica, the line has been on the ice for 26 goals at 5-on-5 this season, which ranks third in the NHL.
"They've got probably one of the top lines in the league offensively," Beaulieu said. "They produce so well and they skate so well, so it's a big challenge for us tonight. Not just because we're playing the Calgary Flames, but because we have a lot to prove still. This year's been a lot of ups and downs and we've got to start this trip off the right way."
On the other side of the puck, Calgary has limited their opponents to three goals or less in every game since a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 4. They've allowed a league-best 35 goals since then, and their average of 2.67 goals-against per game ranks 10th in the NHL. Mike Smith ranks fourth among regular goaltenders with a .925 save percentage.
"It starts with their goaltender, Smith," Housley said. "You've got to keep the puck away from him. He's just like another defenseman back there and it helps their breakout, which is important. Now their D can just expand to the corners and they're out of their end quickly or he can fire it himself, so that's something we're going to have to pay attention to."

Projected lineup

Nicholas Baptiste will enter for the lineup for the first time since being recalled on Friday, returning to the building where he made his NHL debut in October of last season. To make room for the addition of Baptiste, Benoit Pouliot will sit as a healthy scratch.
Baptiste said he feels like a changed player, not just from his debut last season but even from the four-game stint he had with the Sabres back in November. So, what will he look to bring?
"Play with a ton of speed, chipping pucks in, being physical, shooting the puck," he said. "Obviously, we have tons of skill on this team. I'm just going to try to come in and bring a lot of energy, bring a lot of pace and try to make it tough on their defense."
Beaulieu will be back in the lineup on defense after missing the last three games due to an illness, which he said was different from the condition that forced him to miss five games in December. It appears that a bug is still making its way through the defense corps, however, as Josh Gorges has fallen ill and will not play.
The full lineup is projected to look as follows:
28 Zemgus Girgensons - 15 Jack Eichel - 21 Kyle Okposo
20 Scott Wilson - 90 Ryan O'Reilly - 23 Sam Reinhart
9 Evander Kane - 22 Johan Larsson - 29 Jason Pominville
17 Jordan Nolan - 71 Evan Rodrigues - 13 Nicholas Baptiste
6 Marco Scandella - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
82 Nathan Beaulieu - 19 Jake McCabe
41 Justin Falk - 8 Casey Nelson
31 Chad Johnson
40 Robin Lehner