5 THINGS - FLAMES VS. PREDATORS

FLAMES (16-13-3: 35 pts) vs. NASHVILLE PREDATORS (20-7-4: 44 pts)

1. US

The Flames fell 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Michael Frolikand Johnny Gaudreau scored for the homeside in a game that looked like it was heading to overtime untilJoonas Donskoiscored with 2:48 left in the third period to earn the Sharks two points on the road … Calgary had collected points in four straight games before falling to San Jose … The Flames hop a plane right after tonight's game to head to Vancouver for a Sunday-night tilt against the Canucks.

2. THEM

Nashville blanked the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Thursday night despite being outshot 46-23 in the contest at Rogers Place.Juuse Saroscollected the shutout for the visitors … The Preds have been red-hot of late, winning five of their six games so far this month, the lone loss a 4-3 shootout setback to the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 9.

3. US vs. THEM

This is the second match-up of the season between the Flames and Predators. The Flames won the first meeting on Oct. 24 by a score of 3-2 in a shootout. The Flames entered the third period down by two goals but rallied to force extra time. Matthew Tkachuk scored the deciding goal in the shootout. That night, Mike Smith stopped 28 of 30 shots … Five of the last 10 games between the Flames and Preds have gone to either overtime or a shootout. The Flames have picked up the two points every single time the game has gone to the extra frame in those five games.

4. THIS, THAT & THE OTHER

THIS: The Flames have now outshot their opponent in seven of the last eight games. Over that span, Calgary has 304 shots while the other guys have 223. The last time the Flames were outshot was on Nov. 28 against the Toronto Maple Leafs where they recorded a season low 20 shots in the game ... THAT:The Flames will play in their second back-to-back set this month and fifth of the season this weekend. The Flames are 1-2-0-1 in the first game of a back-to-back this season. The Flames will entertain another back-to-back later this month when they head to California for games against the Sharks and Ducks ... THE OTHER:Tonight before puck drop, the Flames will honour Smith on his achievement of 500 career NHL games. Smith recorded the feat on Dec. 9 when the Flames took on the Canucks at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames won that game 4-2 earning Smith his 208th career NHL win in his 500th game.

5. PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Flames: Garnet Hathaway
The winger, who has acquitted himself nicely on the third line with Sam Bennett and Mark Jankowski, is coming off a strong performance against the Sharks on Thursday. He had one assist, two shot attempts and four hits in the 3-2 setback to San Jose.
Predators: Kyle Turris
The forward has fit right in with the Nashville Predators after being traded to Tennesse earlier this year. In 16 games with the Predators, he has 16 points and is coming off a two-point outing in Edmonton on Thursday.