Calgary @ Nashville preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 6, 2020 ) Nashville 3, Calgary 2

There's a good chance reigning Norris Trophy winner Mark Giordano will be back in the lineup when the Calgary Flames visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday in a key Western Conference game. The 36-year-old defenseman has missed the last 10 games with a hamstring injury, but Calgary has gone 6-4-0 in the captain's absence and hold down the top wild-card spot.

“I’m getting really close, really feeling strong out there,” Giordano told the media after Tuesday's morning skate in Boston, where the Flames prevailed 5-2 that night. “Obviously, the staff does an unbelievable job with the treatment. It feels really good and turned the corner quick. Hopefully, I can get back in there - if not (Tuesday), then the next game.” Nashville - like Calgary - has won two straight after a 3-2 victory over Ottawa on Tuesday as it continues a five-game homestand that concludes with games against playoff-positioned Colorado and Edmonton. The Predators are tied with Winnipeg and Arizona for the final wild-card spot - two points behind the Flames - but have three games in hand on the Jets and four on the Coyotes. "More or less, (it's) win and get in," Nashville's Ryan Ellis told reporters. "We've just got to keep winning our games in hand (three), just trust the process and keep working and doing our part. We control our own destiny for the most part, and it's a lot better feeling when you control your destiny versus you hope someone loses."

TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: FS Tennessee, Sportsnet West

ABOUT THE FLAMES (33-25-6): Sean Monahan scored twice Tuesday, giving him 21 goals - his seventh straight season with at least that many to start his career - and four in the last three games. Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists versus Boston, taking over the team lead with 54 points - 12 in his last 10 games. Defensemen Erik Gustafsson and Derek Forbort, who were acquired at Monday's trade deadline, combined to play 38 minutes, 54 seconds Tuesday in their club debuts with Gustafsson providing an assist.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (31-23-8): Ellis had a goal and an assist Tuesday, and has three points in three games since missing 20 with a concussion he sustained New Year's Day. "I think the big thing for him even when he spoke with me prior to coming back was 'It'll probably take a few shifts or maybe a first period and I'll be back up to speed.' And he's been back up to speed pretty quick," coach John Hynes told reporters about the 29-year-old defenseman, who is a plus-93 over the past five seasons. Juuse Saros (13-10-4, .906 save percentage) has won four of his last five starts while Pekka Rinne (18-13-4, .900) has missed the last two games because of illness, forcing the club to call up Connor Ingram from AHL Milwaukee on an emergency basis.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville has scored 195 goals and allowed 195.

2. Calgary is 13-for-13 on the penalty kill in its last seven games.

3. The clubs have split the season's first two meetings with each winning by a goal on the road.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Flames 2