Preview - Flames @ Wild

FLAMES (5-10-1) VS. WILD (8-5-1)
BROADCAST: 6:00 PM MT; Sportsnet West (TV), Sportsnet 960 The FAN (radio)
SEASON SERIES: Tuesday's game is the first meeting between the Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild in the 2016-17 season. The match on Tuesday is the only meeting between the two clubs this season in Minnesota. Calgary and Minnesota will meet again in a few weeks -- Dec. 2 in Calgary and one final time this season at Scotiabank Saddledome on Feb. 1. The Flames went 1-2 against the Wild last season, with their last win coming on Apr. 9, 2016 at the Xcel Energy Center. On that night, Flames' rookie Patrick Sieloff scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1-0 Calgary triumph. Sieloff was dealt to the Ottawa Senators on June 27, 2016 for forward Alex Chaisson. Zach Parise led all skaters in scoring between the Flames and Wild last season with three goals and six points in the three contests. Mikael Backlund, Johnny Gaudreau, TJ Brodie, Micheal Ferland and Matt Stajan each had two points against the Wild in 2016-17.

FLAMES TEAM SCOPE: The Flames are looking to get back in the win column after three consecutive losses and have dropped six of their last seven games. Their last game was a 4-1 setback at the hands of the New York Rangers on Saturday. Calgary sits 6th in the Pacific Division with a 5-10-1 record and 11 points. After Tuesday's game in Minnesota, the Flames will travel back to Calgary for a game against the Arizona Coyotes, who are 7th in the Pacific Division with 10 points, on Wednesday night. Calgary will close out their mini homestand with a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday before embarking on a six-game road swing that will span 9 days. The Flames have been hit by a rash of injuries as of late but are expected to get relief, as Matthew Tkachuk, who missed the last two games with a wrist injury, is expected to dress Tuesday against the Wild. Kris Versteeg, who has been sidelined with a groin ailment for four games, has resumed skating on his own and is expected back soon. Lance Bouma (upper body) is still injured and will not play on Tuesday. Gaudreau and Michael Frolik are tied for the team lead in scoring with 10 points each. Dougie Hamilton leads all Calgary defencemen with two goals and six points in 16 games.
WILD TEAM SCOPE: The Wild are off to a strong start to the season and currently sit in the third spot in the Central Division with a 8-5-1 record and 17 points. Minnesota wrapped up a four-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators. Darcy Kuemper made 35 saves and Defenceman Matt Dumba scored his second career overtime winner to secure the two-points for the Wild. Tuesday's match against the Flames is the first of a three-game homestand and begins a stretch of seven games in 12 days for the Wild. The game also represents the fourth game of a 10-game stretch spanning 17 days. Minnesota has allowed an NHL-low 28 total goals in 14 games this season, including a total of nine goals allowed in its last eight games, dating back to Oct. 25. Eric Staal, who inked a three-year contract with the Wild on July 1, leads the team in scoring with five goals and 13 points in 14 games. Ryan Suter leads the Wild blueline in scoring with four goals and 12 points in 14 games.