Coming off a shutout loss to Klim Kostin and the Montreal Canadiens, the Calgary Flames head into The Big Smoke for a faceoff with the winless Leafs.

The Maple Leafs (0-2-0), have not played since October 8th, a loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Flames have to assume they will be well-rested, not rusty going into the game.

"The season is still young," says Calgary Flames head coach, Darryl Sutter. "They're better than their record; everyone is in this league. They've been practicing and refining their game for a week."

The Flames rotation of bottom-6 forwards continued at practice today, as it looks like 27 year old Petr Straka will draw back in on the left-wing.

The lines at practice today looked a bit different today as well, with Alex DeBrincat playing on a line with the Hischiers, Arkhip Nekolenko with JVR and Vilardi.

Michael McNiven is also expected to make his season debut, giving Chris Gibson the night off.

"Gibby played (well)," says Sutter, "getting outshot 36-26 or whatever it was, you can't expect the goalie to be the only guy that shows up."

Harsh words from the gruff veteran, but true.

On Sunday, the Flames only mustered 26 shots against Calvin Pickard, being pushed to the outside by Montreal's sizable defense.

"We have to be better," says Auston Matthews, "26 shots from the outside isn't going to cut it in this league, and we left Gibby out to dry."

Matthews has been impressive so far, leading the team in points through 3 games (2-3-5.) He, like the rest of the team, need to improve their defensive play to defeat the winless Maple Leafs Tuesday night.

"Best offense is a good defense, right?" chimes Sutter.

Projected Lines for Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs:

Forwards
LUCIC - MATTHEWS - MACKINNON
JVR - VILARDI - NEKOLENKO
N. HISCHIER - L. HISCHIER - DEBRINCAT
STRAKA - JOST - MARCHENKO

Defense
RIELLY - KULIKOV
DRAEGER - MESZAROS
ALM - HONKA

Goalie
MCNIVEN
GIBSON