Colorado @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 11, 2019 ) Colorado 0, Calgary 4

Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Calgary Flames entering their Western Conference first-round playoff series was their goaltending, but those concerns were allayed for at least one night. Buoyed by veteran netminder Mike Smith's sensational performance in Game 1, Calgary looks to take a 2-0 series lead against the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.

Despite a 4-0 victory in the opener, a result that was deceptive after scoring a pair of late goals, the Flames were already looking ahead rather than revel in their first postseason victory in four years. "Celebrating after wins? It’s not the regular season anymore," forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "You can enjoy it right now, but as soon as you leave the rink, I feel like you should focus on Game 2." Colorado, which used a 10-game point streak down the stretch to snag the final wild card, was not discouraged by the loss despite the inability to dent Smith. “I think we played a good game. We can learn a little bit from them," goaltender Philipp Grubauer said. "It was fun to play for sure and we’re all looking forward to Game 2. We need to get the split.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Altitude (Colorado), CBC, Sportset, TVAS (Calgary)

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE: Coach Jared Bednar noted that second-leading scorer Mikko Rantanen looked "rusty" in his return to the lineup after sitting out the previous eight games due to an upper-body injury. "I thought as the game went on he got a little more competitive and started making things happen," Bednar said of Rantanen, who had three points in as many games against Calgary this season. "I think he got better as the game went on, and I expect him to be real good next game." The Avalanche's No. 7-ranked power play whiffed on all four chances Thursday.

ABOUT THE FLAMES: Making his first playoff appearance since 2012 with Arizona, Smith became the fourth goaltender age 37 or older to post a series-opening shutout while Calgary's fans chanted his name throughout. "I haven't quite heard anything like that before in my career," acknowledged Smith, who had a 1.94 goals-against average in his previous 11 starts. "Not in my 13 years in the league. It gives you confidence. It was something else. Special. Something I'll probably never forget." Tkachuk, who scored 34 times in the regular season, had two goals Thursday.

OVERTIME

1. The Flames scored twice on the power play Thursday after converting once in their previous 13 games.

2. Avalanche leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon lost 13 of 17 faceoffs in Game 1.

3. Flames F Mikael Granlund had a power-play goal Thursday after collecting four points in three regular-season matchups versus Colorado.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Avalanche 3