Flames at Lightning
THE STORY: Jay Feaster raised the Stanley Cup as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 after defeating the Calgary Flames. On Thursday, Feaster will return to Tampa for the first time as general manager of the Flames. Feaster’s squad stands in a better position right now, but both teams are in what could be the most important stretch of the season. Calgary dropped a 2-1 decision at Nashville on Tuesday in the first of 11 out of 13 games on the road. The Flames are 6-2-1 in their last nine. Tampa Bay has lost seven of eight and is without inspirational leader Martin St. Louis, whose goal in the second overtime defeated Calgary in Game 6 of the 2004 Finals. St. Louis is out at least a few more weeks with facial and nasal fractures.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; SNET-CGY (Calgary), SunSports (Tampa).
ABOUT THE FLAMES (14-14-2): The flu bug has made its way through the locker room, with Rene Bourque getting "bitten" and being forced to sit out on Tuesday. That may be a reason for a season-high 45 shots against Tuesday, but goalie Miikka Kiprusoff kept the Flames in it to the end. Captain Jarome Iginla managed eight shots on goal, but was held without a point. Iginla still has 11 points the last nine games and stands five goals shy of 500 for his career. Iginla shares the team lead with Olli Jokinen at 21 points. Kiprusoff has all of Calgary’s 14 wins.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (12-16-2): Tampa Bay signed versatile forward Antti Miettinen, who got out of his contract in Russia. However, he had to go through waivers to re-enter the NHL and Winnipeg snatched him away Tuesday. The Lightning will have to get out of their funk with the players in the room. They outshot New Jersey by a 36-22 margin Monday, but made just enough mistakes to drop a 5-4 decision. Steven Stamkos scored twice in the third period to give him 18 tallies on the season, tying him for the NHL lead.
OVERTIME:
1. Calgary is last in the NHL in faceoff percentage (44.8).
2. Tampa Bay has won three of five games against Calgary since 2004.
3. The Lightning are 3-for-28 in the last nine games on the power play; the Flames are 4-for-18 in their last four.