5 THINGS - FLAMES @ RANGERS

FLAMES (4-3-0) at RANGERS (2-4-1)

US

The Flames are coming off a 5-3 loss to the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners and current league leaders, the Nashville Predators. Elias Lindholm, Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett supplied the offence for the homeside, while Mike Smith made 24 saves. Calgary surrendered the opening goal to Ryan Johansen just 51 seconds into the contest, and were playing catch-up from that point forward. The Flames rallied to tie the game on three separate occasions, but were unable to grab the lead at any point in the game. Zac Rinaldo broke a 3-3 tie at 6:31 of the third period, while Filip Forsberg sealed the outcome with an empty-netter with 31.5 seconds to play. ... In the defeat, both Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreauhit the scoresheet and continue the lead the squad in scoring with three and 10 points each. ... Following this evening's matchup, the Flames will head north to face the Montreal Canadiens, rounding out their short, Eastern Conference road swing against Carey Price and the 4-1-2 Montreal Canadiens.

THEM

The Rangers, who entered the season embracing a youth movement, are off to the start many expected them to have this season. But give them credit - they've either won or put up some good efforts against a number of the NHL's elite already this year. In their last outing, the Blueshirts rallied from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits against the defending Cup champs, the Washington Capitals, forcing overtime on the strength of Chris Kreider goal with less than 10 minutes to play in the third period. Ultimately, a Matt Niskanen marker ended things just over two minutes into the extra frame, but it was a confidence-building single point for a team many were counting out before puck drop. … Both of the Rangers' victories have come in extra time - 3-2 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 11, followed by a 3-2 shootout victory on Oct. 16. ... Five of the Rangers seven games have been one-goal decisions.

US VS. THEM

This is the first of two meetings between these two teams this season, and the only to be played at the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan. Last year, the Flames lost both games to the Blueshirts, 4-3 on Feb. 9, and 3-1 on Mar. 2. Matthew Tkachuk had two points (1G, 1A) to lead the Flames in head-to-head scoring. … The season series wraps up on Mar. 15 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

THIS, THAT & THE OTHER

THIS:Johnny Gaudreau and Rangers forward Kevin Hayes were teammates at Boston College for three seasons (2011-12 - 2013-14), and won the NCAA national championship together - along with Chris Kreider, the Rangers' leading scorer - in 2012. THAT: We all know Matthew Tkachuk comes from a big hockey family, but did know that he and Hayes are cousins? THE OTHER:Mike Smith earned his first career NHL assist on Mar. 15, 2008 against the Rangers as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Flames - Sam Bennett
One goal. Three shots. Four hits. In 15-and-a-half minutes of ice time Friday, Sam Bennett did just about everything to make an impression and help his club claw back from three separate one-goal deficits. Along with linemates Derek Ryan and James Neal, the trio had 70% (21-9) of the shot attempts, and out-chanced the Predators 8-5 when they were on the ice at even strength. In a 3-3 game, No. 93 had a glorious chance to put the Flames in front when he took a Ryan pass on the doorstep, but he inadvertently shoveled it through goaltender Juuse Saros and wide of the cage. Still, with two goals in last three goals and obvious chemistry building with Neal, Bennett looks to be hitting his stride.
"He's been good for about two weeks now," said head coach Bill Peters. "He's been good in practice and it kind of starts there, right? He's been having some success there and he's working hard in practice and it's carrying over into the games, and he's getting rewarded."
Rangers - Brett Howden
In this, his first NHL season, the Calgary native is off to a fantastic start, scoring twice and adding two helpers, and winning 58% of his faceoffs in only seven games. Howden, the 27th pick in the 2016 Draft, was acquired by the Rangers at last year's trade deadline as part of a five-player swap, including the Rangers' then-captain Ryan McDonagh. Howden is coming off an exceptional final season with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors, recording a career-high 75 points (24G, 51A) in only 49 regular-season games, before adding another 15 (7G, 8A) in 14 playoff contests. The 20-year-old is known as a highly effective two-way pivot, who excels on special teams, has a great shot and speed to burn. Howden, who's averaging more than 14 minutes per game in ice time, will play on a line with Jimmy Vesey and former Lightning Vladislav Namestnikov tonight.