Ottawa @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 24, 2019 ) Calgary 2, Ottawa 1

The Calgary Flames share the Western Conference lead in home wins and certainly have been taking advantage of playing in their own building of late. Calgary attempts to post its fifth straight victory at Scotiabank Saddledome when it hosts the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

The Flames, who along with Winnipeg have won 24 games at home, own a three-point lead over San Jose for first place in the Pacific Division after registering a 4-2 triumph over visiting Columbus on Tuesday. Michael Frolik continued his hot streak in the victory, netting a tally and setting up another to give him two goals and six assists over his last five contests. After allowing a total of two goals in home victories over St. Louis and Toronto, the Senators began their three-game road trip with a 7-4 setback at Vancouver. Defenseman Dylan DeMelo notched three assists for Ottawa, which netted four straight tallies in the third period after yielding the game's first five but went on to suffer its fourth road loss in a row (0-3-1).

TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN5, RDS2 (Ottawa), Sportsnet West (Calgary)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (25-42-6): Chris Tierney set up a goal against the Canucks to extend his point streak to five games (two goals, three assists). The 24-year-old center also hit a pair of milestones as the assist was his 100th in the NHL and his 150th career point. Zack Smith, who set up three tallies in Saturday's win over Toronto, was kept off the scoresheet Wednesday to remain one assist shy of the century mark.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (45-21-7): Calgary's offense has been in high gear during its four-game home winning streak, producing a total of 24 goals, and could get some reinforcements on Thursday. Sean Monahan (illness) and Sam Bennett (upper body) have missed the team's last two overall contests but will be coach's decisions if they receive clearance from the club's athletic therapist. James Neal is expected to miss his 17th consecutive game due to a lower-body injury, but hasn't been ruled out for Saturday in Vancouver.

OVERTIME

1. Flames C Derek Ryan has notched five points (two goals) over his last four games and is one shy of 100 for his career.

2. Ottawa LW Anthony Duclair has scored in back-to-back games and collected seven points (four goals) in 12 contests since being acquired from Columbus.

3. Calgary LW Johnny Gaudreau, who already has set career highs in goals (35) and points (92), needs four assists to eclipse the personal best of 60 he recorded last season.

PREDICTION: Flames 5, Senators 2