Calgary @ Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 3, 2019 ) Calgary 4, Carolina 3

The inconsistent Calgary Flames hope to rebound from a disappointing loss outdoors when they embark on a difficult four-game road trip that begins with a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. The Flames, who have won back-to-back games only once this season, coughed up a lead in the third period before dropping a 2-1 overtime decision versus Winnipeg on Saturday in the Heritage Classic outdoors in Regina, Saskatchewan.

“We played good most of the night, and in the third period they came out strong, and we didn’t have an answer for that,” Calgary left wing Matthew Tkachuk told reporters. “. … You know, they don’t give you two points for playing well most of the game, you have to finish it off.” The Flames, who also meet Nashville, Columbus and Washington on the trip, won both meetings with Carolina last season by a goal but have dropped five of their first seven contests away from home this month - counting the outdoor game. The Hurricanes had lost four of five (1-3-1) after winning five in a row to start the season, but Petr Mrazek turned aside 32 shots for a 4-0 victory over Chicago on Saturday to open a four-game homestand. “We had our moments,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour told reporters. “Not great, but overall I thought it was a pretty solid game. I love the way we played in the third with the lead, still going after it.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Flames (Calgary), FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE FLAMES (6-5-2): Forward Elias Lindholm, the fifth overall pick by Carolina in the 2013 draft, scored Saturday to push his team-leading total to seven and needs two to reach 100 in his career. Linemate Johnny Gaudreau has not scored in eight straight games despite unleashing six shots Saturday, but is tied with Tkachuk (four goals) for the team lead with 10 points and needs three for 400 in his career. Goalie David Rittich (5-3-2, .909 save percentage) made 43 saves in the Heritage Classic and allowed five goals on 72 shots in two victories against Carolina in 2018-19.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (7-3-1): Right wing Andrei Svechnikov snapped a five-game point drought by scoring twice Saturday and boasts 10 points - two behind defenseman Dougie Hamilton (six goals, plus-9 rating) for the team lead. Center Erik Haula tops Carolina with seven goals and has at least a point in nine of his 11 contests to match Hamilton, while right wing Nino Niederreiter broke through for his first goal and added an assist against Chicago. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who boasts a plus-8 rating, has assists in each of the past two contests and posted all seven of his points at even strength.

OVERTIME

1. Carolina C Jordan Staal scored his second goal Saturday and is four assists shy of 300 for his career.

2. Calgary C Sean Monahan has assists in each of the last two games and is three away from 200 for his career.

3. The Hurricanes have scored 14 goals in the first period and the Flames have been limited to five.

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 4, Flames 3