Calgary @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 18, 2019 ) Arizona 2, Calgary 5

The Arizona Coyotes surged into the playoff picture in the Western Conference thanks to a six-game winning streak that was halted last time out. They attempt to get back in the win column when they continue their seven-game homestand Thursday against the Pacific Division-leading Calgary Flames.

Arizona began its stretch at Gila River Arena with four consecutive victories before dropping a 3-1 decision to Anaheim on Tuesday. The setback was the first since a 5-2 defeat in Calgary on Feb. 18 for the Coyotes, who are three points behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Flames were unable to add to their three-point lead over San Jose in the Pacific as they suffered a 2-1 loss in Vegas on Wednesday. Sean Monahan notched an assist to extend his point streak to four games for Calgary, which has lost three straight after reeling off seven consecutive victories.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Calgary), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE FLAMES (41-19-7): Johnny Gaudreau was kept off the scoresheet Wednesday, ending his four-game assist streak. The 25-year-old left wing, who tops the team with 84 points and shares the lead in goals (30) with Monahan, needs one of each to set career highs. Matthew Tkachuk also helped set up Calgary's goal against the Golden Knights, putting him three away from 100 career assists.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (32-29-5): Jason Demers registered a plus-1 rating in just over 14 minutes of ice time on Tuesday in his first appearance since Nov. 15. The 30-year-old defenseman, who has recorded a goal and two assists in 19 contests this season, missed 47 games because of a lower-body injury. Blue-liner Niklas Hjalmarsson finished with six blocked shots against the Ducks and ranks second in the league with 148 - 25 behind New Jersey's Andy Greene.

OVERTIME

1. Coyotes C Brad Richardson leads the team with a career-high 16 goals and is three shy of 100 for his career.

2. Calgary D Travis Hamonic has recorded four of his seven goals this season over his last 10 contests.

3. Arizona D Oliver Ekman-Larsson needs eight assists to match the career high of 34 he recorded in 2015-16.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Coyotes 3