5 THINGS - FLAMES VS. OILERS

FLAMES (34-26-10: 78 pts) vs. OILERS (30-34-4: 64 pts)

1. US

The Flames saw their two-game win streak end Sunday night in a 5-2 loss to the visiting New York Islanders. Gaudreau and Mark Giordano scored for the homeside, who outshot the Islanders 52-27 on the night in a contest that featured the return of starting goaltender Mike Smith, who had missed 13 games with a lower-body injury … The Flames are currently 9-7-3 against the Pacific Division.

2. THEM

The Oilers have won three straight, the most recent a 4-1 decision over the Minnesota Wild at Rogers Place. McDavid had a pair of goals and Leon Draisaitland Ryan Nugent-Hopkinsadded singles. Cam Talbot turned aside 32 shots for the win … The Oilers have allowed the second-most goals-against of any Western Conference team with 221.

3. US vs. THEM

This is the fourth installment of the Battle of Alberta this season, with the Oilers winning the previous three - the most recent a 4-3 shootout win in Edmonton. The two cubs will meet for the fifth and final time of this campaign on March 31 at the Scotiabank Saddledome … Sam Bennettand Matthew Tkachuk lead Calgary in goalscoring against the Oil this season with two tallies apiece.

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4. THIS, THAT & THE OTHER

THIS:The Flames will play one more game on this homestand against the San Jose Sharks on Friday before heading back on the road for their last back-to-back of the season where they'll take on Vegas and Arizona. The Flames next four games, including tonight, are against divisional opponents …THAT:Gaudreau's career-high 58 assists is the most in a season by a Flames skater since Alex Tanguay had 59 in 2006-07 … THE OTHER: The Flames are 18-4-0-0 when Gaudreau has two-or-more points in a game this season.

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5. PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Flames:D Mark Giordano
The captain has scored twice and has three points in his last three games. He's been excellent in the defensive zone and finished with the second-highest amount of ice time against the Islanders (25:50), just 10 seconds shy of D partner Dougie Hamilton.
Oilers: C Connor McDavid
McDavid had two goals and three points in the win over the Wild and has five goals and nine points in his last five games. He's sitting third in the NHL scoring race with 84 points.