Chicago @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 7, 2019 ) Calgary 4, Chicago 3

The Calgary Flames try for their seventh straight victory over Chicago when they host the surging Blackhawks on Tuesday. Chicago has won four of its last five games after a 3-2 shootout victory over Columbus on Sunday and is only five points out of playoff position despite sitting last in the Central Division.

“You always look at the scores around the league,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters. “Hope for not too many three-pointers. But ultimately if you get your points, things sort themselves out. That’s pretty much the idea.” Calgary is 2-4-1 in its last seven games after a 5-2 loss to Vancouver on Sunday - its fourth straight at home - and finds itself among five teams within four points scrimmaging for Pacific Division supremacy. "This wasn't the way we drew it up,'' Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk told reporters Sunday. "It's a little bit of a setback, but tomorrow is a new day and we've got to come ready to work and ready to be prepared to grind out a win on New Year's Eve." Calgary has swept the last two three-game season series with Chicago, winning five one-goal games and the other by two.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, Sportsnet West (Calgary)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (17-17-6): Patrick Kane leads the club with 20 goals and 47 points and scored in the shootout Sunday, but has only one point in his last three games. Rookie Dominik Kubalik boasts 11 goals, including three in the past five contests. Colliton could be tempted to start a goaltender in three straight games for the first time this season after Robin Lehner (11-6-4, 2.77 goals-against average, .926 save percentage) stopped 69-of-73 shots in winning two straight outings.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (20-16-5): Tkachuk has three goals and five assists in his last five games, and boasts a team-most 35 points. Sean Monahan is next with 32 after recording two goals and four points in his last four games while Elias Lindholm (club-high 16 goals, 31 points) has two goals and six assists in the past five contests. Johnny Gaudreau (30 points) has collected 17 points in 14 games against Chicago while Monahan (18 in 18) and Lindholm (11 in 11) average a point versus the Blackhawks.

OVERTIME

1. Calgary has scored a league-least 24 goals in the first period.

2. The Flames own the fourth-best penalty-killing unit in the league while Chicago (ninth) is 15-for-15 over its past six contests.

3. Geoff Ward is 8-4-1 since officially taking over as Calgary coach.

PREDICTION: Flames 3, Blackhawks 2