Preview - Flames vs. Hurricanes

HURRICANES (0-1-2) VS. FLAMES (1-2-1)
BROADCAST:7:00 PM MT; Sportsnet Flames (TV), Sportsnet 960 The FAN (radio)
SEASON SERIES: Thursday's game is the first of two meetings between the Flames and Hurricanes in the 2016-17 campaign. The season series wraps up on Feb. 26 when the Flames make a stop in Raleigh. Last year, the two clubs split the series, each scoring six goals in the pair of contests. Sean Monahan led all skaters with one goal and four points in two games. Captain Mark Giordano trailed him by a single point with one goal and two assists in the 2015-16 season series. Former Hurricane Kris Versteeg, who is now a member of the Flames, was tied with Elias Lindholm for team lead in scoring against the Flames last season with two goals. Versteeg also netted the game-winner for the Hurricanes in their 5-2 win over Calgary last season. Giordano scored the winning goal for the Flames in their 4-1 victory over Carolina on Feb. 3.

HURRICANES' TEAM SCOPE: The Hurricanes are searching for their first win of the season after dropping their opening three games. They have amassed two points with overtime losses in Winnipeg and Vancouver over the past week. Carolina is coming off of a 3-2 regulation loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. After falling behind by three goals, former Flame Lee Stempniak drew his team within a single marker in the third period when he struck twice in the span of 56 seconds. With his pair of tallies, Stempniak extended his point streak to three games. He leads the Hurricanes in scoring with three goals and five points. On the injury front, Carolina will be without the services of defenceman Ryan Murphy, who is out 3-4 weeks with a lower body injury.
FLAMES' TEAM SCOPE: Calgary is looking to build off a comeback victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, which saw Monahan net the overtime winner, Matthew Tkachuk score his first NHL goal and Chad Johnson collect his first win as a Flame. Head coach Glen Gulutzan has not confirmed his lineup ahead of Thursday's match-up but as per Wednesday's practice structure, Brian Elliott is expected to get the start in net. The 31-year-old, who got the start in the back-to-back set against the Oilers last week, is searching for his first win as a Flame. As per Wednesday's line rushes and defence pairings, the rest of the lineup is expected to remain the same.