Avalanche at Flames
THE STORY: Games and points are at a premium for both the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames, who find themselves on the outside of the Western Conference playoff race. With an NHL-least three contests remaining among contending teams, Colorado will look to snap a four-game skid (0-3-1) when it visits Calgary on Friday. The Flames have won just once in their last seven contests (1-3-3).
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ALT, RSNC
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (40-33-6): Colorado hasn't won since posting a 2-1 overtime victory over the Flames on March 20. Semyon Varlamov was sensational in that contest by stopping 31 shots, but he has been done in by the team's recent offensive struggles. The Avalanche, who have recorded just five goals during the losing streak, suffered their fourth 1-0 loss of the season on Wednesday against Northwest Division champion Vancouver.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (35-28-15): Calgary was unable to solve All-Star Jonathan Quick on Wednesday and dropped a 3-0 decision to Los Angeles. Offensive struggles are nothing new for the Flames, who have scored two or fewer goals in five of their last six contests. Captain Jarome Iginla's goalless streak extended to seven games, but he has a tally and three assists in five matches versus Colorado.
OVERTIME:
1. Calgary signed defenseman Brady Lamb from the University of Minnesota-Duluth to a one-year, two-way contract on Thursday. The Bulldogs were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament after dropping a 4-0 decision to top-seeded Boston College.
2. Varlamov has started six straight games and 12 of his team's last 13. The 23-year-old Russian has won just one of four career decisions versus the Flames.
3. Prior to the March 20 loss, Calgary defeated Colorado in 11 of 12 meetings.