The Lightning lead the NHL with 86 points and are the only team to reach 40 wins. They are 4-0-2 in their past six games and have given up two or fewer goals in four of the past six. Calgary is 1-2-1 in its past four games following a nine-game point streak (8-0-1) and has dropped to second in the Pacific Division, one point behind the San Jose Sharks. The Flames have two games in hand. David Rittich will start in goal for Calgary; Andrei Vasilevskiy will make his 34th start for Tampa Bay.
Players to Watch
Flames defenseman TJ Brodie has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the past seven games. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is 2-0-2 with a shutout and a .951 save percentage in his past four starts.
They said it
"We want make sure this game is useful toward the points in the standings. Now we're chasing San Jose. They are a point ahead of us. It's not a great feeling when you're chasing." -- Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk "[The Flames] have a lot of offensive firepower. We turned the puck over too many times [in their first meeting] that resulted in too many chances for them. We've done a better job of managing the puck lately." -- Lightning captain Steven Stamkos
Cernak and Joseph did not take part in the morning skate. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said both players are day-to-day. …Palat skated but did not take part in line rushes or drills. …Neal skated the past two days and will be in the lineup after being hit in the mouth and losing several teeth Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.
Stat pack
Lindholm has 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in the past 16 games. …Stamkos has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in the past 13 games. …Tkachuk is playing in his 200th NHL game. …Miller has three points (goal, two assists) in the past two games. …Gaudreau and Monahan have each gone five games without a goal.
