The Flames, who have scored one goal in consecutive losses after winning six of seven (6-1-0), lead the second-place San Jose Sharks by six points. Each has five games remaining, including one against each other at San Jose on March 31. The Ducks, 4-1-1 in their past six games and 8-4-1 in their past 13, have been eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention.
Players to watch
Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in his past 13 games. Flames defenseman Mark Giordano has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his past nine games.
They said it
"It's not only the young guys that have something to prove before the end of the year. It's everybody on this team. I hope they all realize that in there." -- Ducks general manager and coach Bob Murray "You want to finish strong. There's no switch coming into playoffs. Lately we've had a little trouble scoring but today's a new day. There's no switch. You want to keep building, keep going after them and keep getting better so when the time comes, you're ready." -- Flames forward Michael Frolik
The Ducks did not hold a morning skate. … Either Gibson or Miller could start in the first of back-to-back games; Anaheim plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. … Dotchin was recalled from San Diego of the American Hockey League on Thursday.
Stat pack
Rakell (four goals, one assist) and Steel (three goals, two assists) each has five points in a three-game point streak. … Tkachuk has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in his past nine games. … Smith, who will make his fourth start in five games, is 7-4-0 with a 2.03 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in his past 11 starts.
