Columbus @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 4, 2018 ) Calgary 9, Columbus 6

The Calgary Flames became the second team to earn a spot in the postseason on a day when they did not even play, but the team has loftier goals with 10 games remaining in the regular season. Locked in a tight duel with the San Jose Sharks for supremacy in the Pacific Division, Calgary will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.

Although the Flames dropped a 2-1 decision at Winnipeg, they clinched a playoff berth 24 hours later when Minnesota lost to the New York Islanders. "We’ve talked a little bit about, as a group, we don’t just want to get in,” Calgary center Derek Ryan said of reaching the postseason. "I know that’s an accomplishment in itself, but that is not all this group is capable of.” The Blue Jackets are fighting for their playoff lives, holding down the second wild card while facing a schedule with seven of their last 10 games on the road. Columbus blew a three-goal lead in a 9-6 home loss to the Flames on Dec. 4, but it has won eight consecutive visits to Calgary dating to Dec. 1, 2011.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, TVAS, FS Ohio (Columbus), Sportsnet West (Calgary)

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (40-28-4): Captain Nick Foligno remained away from the team for personal reasons and Columbus also could be without forward Ryan Dzingel, who is "a little dinged up" and did not practice Monday, coach John Tortorella said. Alexander Wennberg took Dzingel's place on a line with Josh Anderson and Matt Duchene, who scored for the second time in three games Saturday to match his career high with 30 goals. Cam Atkinson, who needs two goals to reach 40 for the first time, had a hat trick against the Flames in December.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (44-21-7): Calgary's potent attack erupted for 20 goals during a perfect three-game homestand but was limited to Mark Jankowski's short-handed tally in the loss at Winnipeg. Linemates Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan each had two goals and two assists in the come-from-behind victory at Columbus, but the latter skated on his own Monday and could sit out his second straight game due to illness. Captain Mark Giordano set up three goals at Columbus and one at Winnipeg to give him five assists during a four-game point streak.

OVERTIME

1. Flames F Elias Lindholm, who notched his 50th assist and 77th point Saturday, has 13 points in 20 games versus Columbus.

2. Blue Jackets G Sergei Bobrovsky was burned by Calgary for eight goals in December to fall to 7-4-1 with a 2.48 goals-against average versus the club.

3. Calgary F James Neal practiced Monday and could rejoin the lineup Thursday, coach Bill Peters said.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Blue Jackets 2