Preview - Flames @ Coyotes

FLAMES (14-13-2) VS. COYOTES (8-13-4)
BROADCAST: 7:00 PM MT; Sportsnet Flames (TV), Sportsnet 960 The FAN (radio)
SEASON SERIES:Thursday's game is the second in a five-game 2016-17 series between the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes. The Flames edged the Coyotes in the opening contest, defeating Arizona 2-1 in overtime on Nov. 17 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Tobias Rieder opened the scoring in the first period but Matthew Tkachuk would force the game into extra time with a third period tally. Michael Frolik netted the game-winner 49 seconds into overtime. Chad Johnson made 20 saves in the victory.

FLAMES' TEAM SCOPE: The Flames head into Thursday's match-up riding a four-game winning streak. Calgary has a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 skates and as of Dec. 7, they sit third in the Pacific Division with 30 points on the year. The Flames are coming off a 2-1 victory in Dallas on Tuesday. Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan found the back of the net while Johnson made 29 saves in the win. After missing 10 games with a fractured finger, Gaudreau returned to the lineup on Dec. 4 and has strung together a two-game point streak. He has two goals and four points in that span and is tied with Monahan for the team lead in points with 15.
COYOTES' TEAM SCOPE: With an 8-13-4 record and 20 points, the Coyotes are seventh in the Pacific Division. They have gone 3-4-3 in their last 10 skates and have dropped their last five games. Arizona is coming off a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Radim Vrbata leads the Coyotes in scoring with eight goals and 17 points through 25 games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads Arizona defencemen with five goals and 13 points this year. Veteran goaltender Mike Smith has appeared in just 11 games this year due to a lower body injury. He holds a 4-3-3 record with a 2.77 GAA and a .924 save percentage.