5 THINGS - FLAMES VS. ISLANDERS

Flames (36-16-7: 79 pts.) vs. Islanders (35-17-6: 76 pts.)

US

The Flames have won two straight, most recently a 5-2 decision over the visiting Arizona Coyotes in a matinee Monday to start this three-game homestand. Derek Ryan, Mark Giordano, Austin Czarnik, Michael Frolik and Mikael Backlund scored for the Flames, who have now tallied 10 goals in their last two games after beating the Penguins 5-4 in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Secondary scoring has certainly been a big storyline in the two victories, with the club getting offensive contributions up-and-down the lineup. Ryan, notably, now has four points in his last two games … The Flames are 18-5-5 at the Scotiabank Saddledome this season. They have now surpassed their total home wins (17) from last season - and still have 13 home games remaining.

THEM

The Isles will come into tonight's tilt extremely well rested. They haven't played since Saturday night, when they dumped the visiting Edmonton Oilers 5-2 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. After a scoreless first period, Ryan Pulock and Valterri Filppula staked the homeside to a 2-0 lead before Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tallied with just three second left in the middle stanza. Barzal, Lee and Brock Nelson scored in the third to salt it away. Robin Lehner made 34 saves … Battling to win the Metropolitan Division, the Isles have been one of the biggest storylines in the NHL so far this season. They are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.

US vs. THEM

This is the first of two matchups this season between the Flames and Islanders. These two teams split the season series in 2017-18 with both teams getting their one win on the road … These clubs have made a habit of outscoring opponents this season. The Flames have the third-best goal differential in the league at +41 (Tampa Bay is +77, Toronto +42). The Isles are tied for fourth with the Jets at +31.

THIS, THAT, & THE OTHER

This: Giordano sits three points shy of becoming the sixth different defenceman in franchise history to record at least 60 in a season, a feat last achieved by Dion Phaneuf in 2007-08 (17-43-60 in 82 GP). Only three blueliners in NHL history have reached the 60-point mark in a season at age 35 or older: Nicklas Lidstrom (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2010-11), Al MacInnis (1998-99 and 2002-03) and Sergei Zubov (2005-06) … That: The Flames are 13-6-4 against their cross-conference foes this season … The Other: Elias Lindholm extended his point streak to five games on Monday. Lindholm now has 68 points on the season (25G - 43A). There are only four players who have recorded more points in their first season with the Calgary Flames in franchise history: Sergei Makarov (86 in 1989-90); Doug Gilmore (85 in 1988-89); Alex Tanguay(81 in 2006-07);Mel Bridgman (75 in 1981-82).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Flames: D Mark Giordano
The captain continues his Norris-worthy season. He notched a goal and an assist in Monday's win and now sits with 57 points on the season, eclipsing his previous career high of 56 set back in 2015-26.
Islanders: LW Anders Lee
The sniper flies under the radar bit but the big 6-foot-3, 231-pounder is a natural goalscorer and leads the Isles in that department so far this campaign.