Coyotes at Flames
THE STORY: The Phoenix Coyotes attempt to continue their torrid pace Thursday when they face off against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Phoenix enters with a nine-game point streak during which it has posted an 8-0-1 record. The surge had put the Coyotes in a tie in points with San Jose for the top spot in the Pacific Division. Calgary had its point streak halted at eight games (5-0-3) as it lost to Edmonton on Tuesday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), Rogers Sportsnet (Calgary)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (30-21-9): Mike Smith allowed four goals but still extended his winning streak to eight games in Tuesday's shootout triumph over Los Angeles. Smith has surrendered a total of four tallies over his previous six contests. Radim Vrbata, who already has set a career high with 30 goals, is four points away from matching his best output of 56 in 2007-08. Phoenix acquired Antoine Vermette from Columbus on Wednesday for goalie Curtis McElhinney and a pair of draft picks. The center recorded eight goals and 27 points in 60 games with the Blue Jackets this campaign. "We are extremely pleased to acquire Antoine," general manager Don Maloney said. "He is a smart, skilled, two-way center who will be a great addition to our lineup."
ABOUT THE FLAMES (28-23-9): Defenseman Chris Butler is expected to miss three weeks with a lacerated left thigh. Butler suffered the injury when he collided with teammate Miikka Kiprusoff in the second period of Tuesday's loss to Edmonton. "It could have been worse," Butler said. "Very little muscle damage and nothing wrong with the tendon. I can still move my leg." Anton Babchuk is likely to replace Butler in the lineup. Babchuk has notched five assists in 17 contests this season. Henrik Karlsson made his first appearance since Dec. 4 in Tuesday's loss, allowing one goal on eight shots. Karlsson had been sidelined with a knee injury.
OVERTIME:
1. The Coyotes have won five straight meetings with the Flames and seven of the last eight.
2. Calgary has lost 20 of its last 28 games against Pacific Division opponents.