Maple Leafs vs. Flames Preview: High-Pace Matchup Awaits in Calgary

Toronto and Calgary arrive at Scotiabank Saddledome after emphatic wins, with the matchup pointing toward pace and pressure at both ends. The Maple Leafs beat Edmonton 7-2 on Oct. 24 and enter at 7-4-2, with a .615 points percentage. Calgary followed its 4-1 home win over Detroit the same day by moving to 4-6-0, a .400 points percentage. The Flames’ results have been less consistent, but their style could make this a lively test for Toronto.

Calgary’s pace comes with a cost

The Flames are described as an average five-on-five club that plays at a high event rate. They bring offensive pace, but also allow a troubling number of shots. That combination can create an entertaining game while leaving little room for a quiet stretch: Calgary can push the attack, but opponents get opportunities of their own when the Flames don’t control the puck or limit attempts against.

Special teams add another layer of uncertainty. Calgary’s power play has struggled, with its goal rate masking underlying results that look difficult to maintain. Its penalty kill has also allowed too many shots, though a strong save percentage has helped cover that weakness. Across all situations, the Flames’ team save percentage has been poor. The recent results show how goaltending can shift the short-term picture, but they don’t erase the broader concerns in the team’s shot and save profiles.

Devin Cooley has become a notable part of that conversation. He has spoken about goaltending through the idea of a flow state: a mode in which a player reacts as the game unfolds, rather than consciously working through every decision. That description fits a sport where the speed of play often leaves no time for deliberate calculation. Players still read situations and bring skill and awareness to each moment, but at a certain pace, trained reactions take over.

Cooley’s recent performance has given Calgary a reason to ride that form. Pat Steinberg reported that Cooley was named the NHL’s second star of the week after stopping 66 of 68 shots for a .971 save percentage. That run is a striking short-term result. For this matchup, the question is whether he can keep turning the Flames’ defensive workload into saves against a Toronto team coming off a seven-goal outing.

Projected Calgary lineup

Calgary’s lines below are from its Oct. 24 game, via Daily Faceoff. They offer a picture of the group the Flames used against Detroit, though the source does not confirm that every combination will carry over for this game.

Joel Farabee skated with Ben Jones and Matt Coronato. Yegor Sharangovich, Morgan Frost and Aydar Suniev formed another line, followed by Matvei Gridin, Martin Pospisil and Ryan Strome. Brennan Othmann, Jonathan Castagna and Adam Klapka completed the forward group.

On defence, Kevin Bahl was paired with Simon Nemec, Jacob Middleton with Zach Whitecloud, and Yan Kuznetsov with Zayne Parekh. Cooley was listed as the starter, with Dustin Wolf also in the goaltending group.

Toronto looks built for an open game

The Leafs’ latest result gives them momentum to bring west, and Calgary’s willingness to play at speed could suit a Toronto team that can turn a loose game into a dangerous one. The central matchup is straightforward: the Flames generate pace but give up shots, while Cooley’s recent stretch has been an important answer to that exposure. If Toronto finds its chances early, Calgary may have to respond with even more pressure, raising the tempo further.

There’s also a potential lineup detail to watch in Toronto. Mark Masters shared a report showing Chris Tanev taking part in the Leafs’ skate in a red sweater. The post doesn’t establish a change to the lineup or confirm what role Tanev might have, so the image is a sign to follow rather than a settled update.

Toronto’s listed combinations were the same as its morning skate, according to the source, with the previous game’s lines provided via Daily Faceoff. Easton Cowan was alongside Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic. Kirill Marchenko, Nick Paul and William Nylander made up the second line; Gavin McKenna, Colton Sissons and Vinni Lettieri the third; and Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen the fourth.

Jake McCabe and Darren Raddysh were paired on defence, with Morgan Rielly alongside Troy Stecher and Dakota Mermis alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Sergei Bobrovsky was listed as the starter, with Anthony Stolarz also named in the goaltending group.

What to watch

Calgary’s defensive workload and Toronto’s ability to turn its speed into sustained chances are likely to set the tone. The Flames’ recent 4-1 win and Cooley’s strong week offer a counterweight to their broader shot and save concerns, while the Leafs arrive after scoring seven against Edmonton. If the pace gets away from either side, the game could open up quickly. It’s a compelling Monday night matchup for fans willing to stay up and see which team can make the open ice work in its favour.