The Calgary Flames (28-21-8) are coming off arguably their biggest win of the season, defeating the Washington Capitals 3-1 on Tuesday. They are in another tough battle against Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. Thursday marks the second and final time the Flames and Lightning will meet this season, with Tampa Bay defeating Calgary on Dec. 12 at the Saddledome by an 8-3 score. Kucherov tied a career high with six points in the game. The Flames enter the contest on their first two-game win streak since late January and are 4-5-1 in their last ten. They have been outscored 30-24, but their power play has been clicking at 25% during this stretch. Meanwhile, the Lightning are on a six-game winning streak and are 7-2-1 in their last ten. In the 29 games since last meeting, Kucherov has 41 points and registered a point in all but four games. BETWEEN THE PIPES Calgary starter - Dustin Wolf * Season: 34 GP / 20-11-3 / 2.62 GAA / .913 SV% * Career: 52 GP / 28-18-4 / 2.75 GAA / .907 SV% * Last 5: 1-3-1 / 3.20 GAA / .889 SV% * vs. Opponent: First meeting Tampa Bay starter - Andrei Vasilevskiy * Season: 45 GP / 27-15-3 / 2.26 GAA / .920 SV% * Career: 552 GP / 320-158-33 / 2.54 GAA / .917 SV% * Last 5: 5-0-0 / 1.80 GAA / .944 SV% * vs. Opponent: 6-6-0 / 3.37 GAA / .885 SV% CONVERSATION STARTERS * Blake Coleman will skate in his 600th game tonight against the team with which he won the Stanley Cup. Considering he hasn't picked up a point in seven games, does he break out of his mini slump on a milestone night? Jan 28, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Blake Coleman (20) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d59ee2fc-f1ae-4087-9151-16befa9db968.jpeg] Jan 28, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Blake Coleman (20) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images * Although Dustin Wolf has found himself in the conversation for the Calder Trophy, how does he respond against a good team like the Lightning after watching Dan Vladar's performance on Tuesday? * Jonathan Huberdeau has points in six straight, while Nazem Kadri's streak is up to seven games. Do the dynamic duo have more points to score on Thursday? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? * Calgary * 5th Pacific Division * 3rd Wildcard * 9th Western Conference * 16th NHL * Tampa Bay * 3rd Atlantic Division * 4th Eastern Conference * 10th NHL FLAMES & LIGHTNING LEADERS * Goals: Jonathan Huberdeau (22) / Brayden Point (31) * Assists: MacKenzie Weegar (26) / Nikita Kucherov (59) * Points: Jonathan Huberdeau & Nazem Kadri (43) / Nikita Kucherov (85) * PIM: Brayden Pachal (78) / Emil Martinsen Lillberg (76) * PPG: Jonathan Huberdeau (7) / Brayden Point & Jake Guentzel (13) * SOG: Nazem Kadri (192) / Nikita Kucherov (185) PROJECTED LINEUP Per the Flames staff at NHL.com [https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-projected-lineup-projections], here's a breakdown of tonight's lineup. (Subject to change) FORWARDS Jonathan Huberdeau -- Nazem Kadri -- Matt Coronato Connor Zary -- Mikael Backlund -- Blake Coleman Joel Farabee -- Morgan Frost -- Yegor Sharangovich Ryan Lomberg [https://www.nhl.com/player/8479066] -- Kevin Rooney -- Martin Pospisil DEFENCE Kevin Bahl -- Rasmus Andersson [https://www.nhl.com/player/8478397] Joel Hanley -- Mackenzie Weegar Ilya Solovyov -- Brayden Pachal [https://www.nhl.com/player/8481167] GOALIES Dustin Wolf [https://www.nhl.com/player/8481692] Dan Vladar [https://www.nhl.com/player/8478435] SCRATCHES Adam Klapka, Jake Bean, Daniil Miromanov -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonight's game starts at 5:00 p.m. MT and is available on FDSNSUN, SNP, SNW, and Sportsnet+.
