Boston @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 3, 2019 ) Calgary 4, Boston 6

The Boston Bruins have the best record in hockey but are still in a dogfight to win their own division despite winning four games in a row and 10 of their last 11. The Atlantic Division-leading Bruins have a chance to become the first team in the NHL to reach 90 points when they continue their four-game road trip at the Calgary Flames on Friday night.

Boston's one weakness has been its struggles beyond regulation this season but it squeezed out a 2-1 overtime victory at Edmtonton on Wednesday, allowing one goal for the fourth consecutive game. "I think we're used to playing those kind of games right now," goaltender Tuukka Rask said. "Once you move closer to the playoffs these games are going to become more tight checking, so you better get used to it." The Flames, bunched among five teams in contention for the Pacific Division lead while in a logjam for the two wild cards, ended a five-game slide (0-4-1) at Scotiabank Saddledome by rallying for a 6-4 victory over Anaheim on Monday. "That’s a huge win for us on home ice and now we’re going to get some mojo and start rolling again,” forward Sam Bennett said after Calgary scored six goals for the fourth time in the past six games.

TIME: 9 p.m. ET. TV: NESN, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific

ABOUT THE BRUINS (38-11-12): Boston has surrendered more than two goals only once during its 10-1-0 run and has yielded one goal or less eight times in the last 10 as the tandem of Rask and Jaroslav Halak continue to shine in net. "We know those games, we're comfortable in them," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Typically when we're at our best it's a low-scoring game and we force the other team to stay in the game." David Pastrnak scored his 43rd goal, and fifth in four games, and has collected 14 points in 10 games since the All-Star break.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (31-24-6): Andrew Mangiapane registered the first hat trick of his career and sparked the five-goal third period on Monday, scoring twice and setting up another in the final 20 minutes as Calgary erased a two-goal deficit. Mangiapane ended an eight-game goal drought and has 10 points in his last 10 contests. "He's really strong on the puck," coach Geoff Ward said. "He's not afraid to take it to the hard areas. He doesn't defer and take it to the top all the time. If he sees a seam, he's going to take a puck through."

OVERTIME

1. Flames F Johnny Gaudreau, who has eight assists in the last six games, has seven goals and 11 points in nine meetings versus Boston.

2. Bruins C Patrice Bergeron, riding a four-game goal streak, has 19 points in 19 games versus Calgary.

3. Flames C Derek Ryan returned to practice Wednesday after missing the past two games due to illness.

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Flames 2