COYOTES' TEAM SCOPE: The Coyotes, who kick off their three-game road trip in Calgary, have picked up points in their last three skates and are coming off of a 4-3 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Radim Vrbata leads the Coyotes in scoring with 11 goals and 36 points through 53 games. He is trailed by defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (10 goals, 30 points) and winger Tobias Rieder (12 goals, 22 points). Veteran goaltender Mike Smith has played the lion's share of games since returning from injury earlier this season, posting a 13-15-6 record with a 2.92 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
FLAMES' TEAM SCOPE: The Flames went into their bye-week on a high note, picking up a 3-2 shootout win over the Penguins on Feb. 7. The victory pushes them to 59 points on the year, keeping them within striking distance of the Western Conference Wildcard positions, occupied by the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators. Mikael Backlund leads the team in scoring with 15 goals and 39 points. Sean Monahan, who is one goal shy of 100 in his career, sits second with 19 goals and 35 points and Johnny Gaudreau rounds out the top three in scoring with 11 goals and 35 points. Johnson is expected to get the start vs. the Coyotes after picking up the win in Pittsburgh last week.
