NHL : Flames Look to Continue Dominance in Nashville on Thursday

The Calgary Flames (41-27-4 SU, 39-33 ATS) are roasting opponents. Since starting the first 16 games of the season 5-11, they’ve hit their stride, winning 12 of their last 13 games. They beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 on Sunday, and the Dallas Stars 3-1 on Friday. Goaltender Brian Elliott has been one of the big reasons the Flames have been on a tear. The 2X NHL All-Star has put up an impressive 15-1-1 record since January 26. He was between the pipes on February 21, when the Flames beat the Nashville Predators 6-5 in overtime.

Nashville (36-25-11 SU, 34-38 ATS) has been struggling to find consistency, mostly in net, where Pekka Rinne has been incredible at some points, and struggled at others.

There haven’t been concerns at the other end of the ice. With an average of 2.92 goals a game, Nashville’s offence ranks 10th in the league. Centreman Filip Forsberg has been a big contributor to Nashville’s highly-ranked offence. After starting the season with 13 scoreless games, he’s found the back of the net 29 times. The last time Forsberg faced the Calgary Flames, he got a hat trick.
The two Western Conference foes will meet for the third time this season at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday at 8 PM ET.

NHL Odds: Offensive Battle Set for Thursday in Nashville

The last time the Nashville Predators played against the Calgary Flames, Calgary had a 4-1 lead five minutes into the second period. Nashville responded with four back-to-back goals, including a hat trick from centreman Filip Forsberg. Both teams went into overtime with five goals, and Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano (12 goals, 22 assists) scored the winning goal.

On Thursday at 8 PM ET, both teams face off again, but this time, the stakes are higher. Just Monday, Calgary was third in the Pacific division, and Nashville was the second wild card contender. They swapped places Tuesday, with Calgary settling for wild card status, and Nashville taking third in the Central Division. Will there be another round of musical chairs on Thursday?