The Calgary Flames know they can open up a big gap on the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs race if they can sweep back-to-back games against their Pacific Division rival Friday at Rogers Place and Saturday at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary holds the first wild card from the Western Conference; the Flames are two points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings, who own the second wild card, and three in front of Vancouver. "We want to separate ourselves … try to create some distance," defenseman Mark Giordano said. "These are important games, back-to-back against a divisional opponent who we are fighting to get into those playoff spots. I fully expect it to be sort of like a playoff game." Calgary has won four of its past five games and won't make any lineup changes after two straight wins, meaning that goalie Brian Elliott will start a third straight game for the first time since playing five in a row in late October. After losing the No. 1 job to Chad Johnson through mid-December, Elliott has won his past five starts, including a 4-1 victory against the Canucks on Dec. 23. "He's gotten used to being in Calgary, having a new child and a new system in front of him and new teammates and now you see the confidence in him," coach Glen Gulutzan said. "You knew as a veteran that's had success in the League he would find his way back to his game."
