Predators at Flames
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators stole a win from the Calgary
Flames in their last encounter. Calgary looks for revenge - and has
momentum on its side - as it welcomes the Predators back to the
Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Calgary fans won't soon forget the
first head-to-head meeting Oct. 22, a game in which the Predators were
outshot 32-14 but prevailed 2-0. Pekka Rinne earned the shutout in that
one, halting a personal four-game losing skid while ending Calgary's
four-game winning streak in the series. Rinne comes in on a three-game
slide this time around. Backup Anders Lindback helped end the Predators'
four-game skid with 17 saves in a 2-1 victory over Edmonton on Monday.
The Flames are riding high following a 5-2 triumph over the Wild in
Minnesota on Sunday. It was the second five-goal performance for Calgary
in a five-game span, with a three-game losing streak sandwiched in
between.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), TSN (Calgary)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (11-8-4):
Nashville returned to the win column Monday thanks to a renewed
commitment to defense. After allowing 17 goals in their previous four
games, the Predators limited Edmonton to 17 shots and a first-period
goal from Jordan Eberle. Shea Weber and Ryan Suter contained the Oilers'
best players and made their mark on offense, with Weber taking a Suter
pass and beating Nikolai Khabibulin to tie the game in the second
period.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (9-12-1): Calgary isn't ready to
declare an end to its post-season aspirations - even with the club mired
in 13th place in the Western Conference, eight points back of eighth.
“People think it’s over after 22 games, and we don’t believe it is,”
said Flames star Jarome Iginla, who had a third-period goal against
Minnesota. “Nobody’s happy with where we’re at in the standings, but
nobody’s giving up."
OVERTIME:
1. Iginla has fared well against Nashville in his career, scoring 28 goals and adding 24 assists in 45 games all-time.
2. Suter and Weber were a combined minus-5 during the losing skid - their first minus performances since Oct. 25.