Flames at Predators
THE STORY: Coming off their finest defensive effort of the
season, the Calgary Flames will look to extend a three-game winning
streak Tuesday against a Nashville Predators team still struggling to
rediscover its own defensive chops. Calgary limited the Edmonton Oilers
to only 21 shots in a 3-0 triumph Saturday, giving them back-to-back
defensive gems following a 7-6 shootout over Carolina earlier in the
month. Calgary has already played a pair of low-scoring games against
the Predators this season, dropping a 2-0 decision on Oct. 22 before
bouncing back with a 1-0 triumph at the end of November. The Predators
have allowed 16 goals over their last six games but have a 3-2-0 record
to show for it, thanks to a resurgent offense and the good fortune of
three one-goal triumphs. Despite the inflated goals against compared to a
season ago, Nashville has been better on the defensive end of late,
allowing fewer than 20 shots twice in its last four outings.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet West, Fox Sports Tennessee
ABOUT THE FLAMES (14-13-2): Calgary captain Jarome Iginla may
finally be turning a corner. After a dreadful November that saw him
record only five points in a 13-game stretch, Iginla has nine points in
his last five games - including a pair of two-goal efforts leading to
victories over the Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers. The key: More shots.
Iginla has 28 through six games in December after managing only 37 in 14
games the previous month.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (14-11-4):
Nashville was buoyed by the return of Jordin Tootoo in its previous game
against the Anaheim Ducks. Tootoo, who was given a two-game suspension
after running into Buffalo Sabres netminder Ryan Miller, scored the
eventual game winner and added an assist as Nashville kicked off a
four-game homestand on a winning note. The 28-year-old is known more for
his truculence but has also shown a scoring touch with eight points in
his last eight games.
OVERTIME:
1. Tuesday kicks
off a grueling stretch for the Flames, who have a pair of four-game road
trips and only two home games the rest of the month.
2. Calgary
has won five of the last six head-to-head meetings, with neither team
scoring more than three goals in any of them. The clubs have played
three 1-0 games in their last seven encounters.
3. Iginla has 28 goals and 25 assists in 46 career games against Nashville.