Minnesota @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 5, 2020 ) Calgary 5, Minnesota 4

The Calgary Flames finally put an end to a five-game losing streak at home last Thursday and now return to Scotiabank Saddledome in decidedly better spirits after winning three in a row. The Flames swept a two-game road trip by posting a pair of one-goal victories at Minnesota and Chicago and will face a rematch against the visiting Wild on Thursday night.

Calgary erased four one-goal deficits before pulling out a 5-4 shootout win at Minnesota on Sunday and spotted the Blackhawks a one-goal lead before squeezing out a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. "This year, I think now that we're starting to grind some games out, I think we're getting some confidence again playing from behind, so there's no panic on the bench," goaltender Cam Talbot said. The Wild, who blanked Calgary 3-0 on Dec. 23, has been idle since Sunday's loss and stewing about their inability to protect multiple leads in that loss. "We have to think about a game like this and let it motivate us," forward Jordan Greenway said. "We should be ready to go after them next game, and once we get the lead, keep the lead and keep going for it."

TIME: 9 p.m. ET. TV: FS Wisconsin, FS North-Plus, Sportsnet West

ABOUT THE WILD (20-17-6): Minnesota is only 4-5-1 since earning points in 14 of 15 games from mid-November to mid-December, and one reason is a struggling penalty kill. The Wild have a success rate of 71 percent since Nov. 22 and allowed five power-play goals in the last three. "It's such a crucial part in the game right now and it's something we know that has to get fixed sooner rather than later," Marcus Foligno said. "Playoffs, you gotta be really good on the penalty kill and trying to make the playoffs, that a key to try and get going."

ABOUT THE FLAMES (23-17-5): Elias Lindholm had an assist at Minnesota before delivering the tying and winning goals in Chicago to cap a milestone performance, reaching 300 points in his 500th career game. "Obviously, you dream of playing in the NHL but you know, you look back and it's a lot of games and lot of preparation," Lindholm said. Talbot went nearly three weeks without seeing the ice but he has been superb over his last seven appearances (six starts) dating to Dec. 7 with a 4-2-0 record and 14 goals allowed.

OVERTIME

1. Flames F Johnny Gaudreau collected two asists Sunday to give him 14 points in 16 games versus the Wild.

2. Wild G Devan Dubnyk did not accompany the team to Calgary and G Kaapo Kahkonen was recalled from the minors.

3. The Flames signed D Rasmus Andersson to a six-year contract extension on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Wild 3