'WE WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE'

When you're in the crunch of a busy, late-season road trip, the bigger, more pivotal task feels a long way off.
But not today.
The Flames know exactly what they're up against.
"Very important," said Matthew Tkachuk, who enters the night one goal shy of 40, and two points off the century mark. "I think if the playoffs started right now, that would be our opponent.
"Kind of a pre-playoff little mini-series between us, both on the road."

Between now and next Tuesday, the Flames will play the Predators twice - both at Bridgestone Arena in the Country Music Capital.
Should the two meet when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in less than two weeks' time, the Flames will be the ones with home-ice advantage.
But that doesn't mean the tone can't be struck now.
In fact, No. 19 prefers it that way.
"At the end of these two games, we're going to be very familiar with each other," Tkachuk said. "And if we do, ultimately, play these guys, we want to send a message that we're a tough team to play against and that they're not going to want to play against us."

And what better place to do it?
Nashville has had one of the most intimidating rinks on the circuit for some time. The 17,500 folks that pack the barn only steps from the world-famous Honky Tonks are a passionate bunch. They cheer, they sing, and the volume, itself, seemingly has no limit.
In other words, it's the perfect way to gear up for the hostile environment spurred by the playoffs.
Especially if the Flames have to return to the Music City for Games 3, 4 and potentially 6 when the dance kicks off in May.
"It's very intense whenever you come into this rink, this building," Tkachuk said. "The fans are very energetic and it's a tough place to play and we've had a lot of good games over the years with these guys. I think if both of our teams are smart right now, we're looking at this as a potential playoff series and we want to set the tone right away tonight."

WHILE WE'RE AT IT

Tkachuk, you may recall, has had some big moments in this building ...

98 AND COUNTING

The winger's 98 points this year not only have him within striking distance of the century mark, but that gaudy point total has already awarded him something of equal meaning in the Tkachuk household: Bragging rights.
Ninety-eight is the career high of his father, Keith, who accomplished the feat during the 1995-96 season as a member of the original Winnipeg Jets.
(Coincidentally, that was the same year that Jaromir Jagr recorded 95 even-strength points. It was the last time - anyone - scored more at EV than Johnny Gaudreau, who reached 85 thanks to a two-point effort last night in Chicago.)
For Tkachuk, 100 is most definitely in his sights:
"It would be very cool," he said. "It's something that not many guys can say that they've done. I'll have my parents in attendance tonight, so maybe we can see what happens, but whenever stuff like that happens, it's almost so much sweeter with a win. The ability to play against these guys and beat them with a potential playoff series on the line, that's the main goal. I have my parents going all over the place right now and this is their last stop, so hopefully I can do it for them tonight."
Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson asked if the pressure was on with his parents on hand.
Fortunately, he has plenty of experience playing in front of friends and family.
"The pressure was more on last night," Tkachuk laughed. "They said they were only going to Chicago.
"They're now on their way back to St. Louis, so a little pitstop tonight.
"Their excuse is they don't want to miss out on the chance for me to get it, but I think they wouldn't mind another night in Nashville."
Touché.
- With files from Brendan Parker