Calgary @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2019 ) Winnipeg 0, Calgary 2

The Calgary Flames continue to seek consistency as they head to Regina, Saskatchewan, for Saturday’s NHL Heritage Classic against the Winnipeg Jets, but do so after finding a way to outlast Florida 6-5 on Thursday. The Flames scored twice in the first 5:16 of the third period to take a two-goal lead, gave up three goals, forced overtime on Sam Bennett’s score with 2:43 to play and won in a shootout on Sean Monahan’s tally.

“That’s obviously a big two points, but we don’t want to get comfortable in games like that,” Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk told reporters after scoring two goals in regulation and connecting once in the shootout. “We have a two-goal lead in the third, you have to put it away.” The Jets also are trying to find their way after dropping their fourth game in their past five with Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to Los Angeles. Winnipeg gave up 41 shots on goal against the Kings and while Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding in goal for a second consecutive game, the Jets allowed a late power-play score with 5:52 to play snapped a 2-2 tie. “I thought we fought hard,” Hellebuyck told the media after making 38 saves, two nights after recording a shutout against Edmonton. “I think everyone was working hard and trying to do the little things.”

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS Network; CBC, Sportsnet One, City, TVAS2

ABOUT THE FLAMES (6-5-1): Tkachuk had not scored a goal in eight straight games (four assists in that span) before his two goals Thursday moved him into the team lead in points (12). Center Elias Lindholm leads the Flames with six goals in 12 games, while forward Andrew Mangiapane recorded an assist against Florida, extending his point streak to four games (two goals). Goaltender David Rittich gave up five goals on 23 shots against Florida but earned his fifth win.

ABOUT THE JETS (5-6-0): Winnipeg rallied from two one-goal deficits Tuesday on goals by forwards Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers - each scoring their fourth of the season - but has recorded just seven goals in regulation in the past five games. Hellebuyck has surrendered five goals in his past three games, going 1-2-0 in- that span. Forward Blake Wheeler is minus-7 with no points in his past five games, and coach Paul Maurice moved him off the top line during Tuesday’s loss.

OVERTIME

1. Winnipeg claimed D Luca Sbisa off waivers from Anaheim on Wednesday, adding a defenseman with 504 games of NHL experience in 11 seasons.

2. Flames C Austin Czarnik extended his point streak to three games with a goal Thursday before leaving in the second period with a lower-body injury.

3. Calgary were third in the NHL in penalty kill at 88.9 percent entering Friday, while the Jets were last at 63.6 percent.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Flames 4