Game Day: Flames vs. Preds Preview

The final home game of the 2021-22 regular season has arrived for the Nashville Predators, and they'll host the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena on Fan Appreciation Night this evening. Tonight's matchup against the Flames - who have clinched the Pacific Division - could provide a preview for next week as a First Round matchup for the Preds in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is the third and final meeting between Nashville and Calgary this season; it's the second of two at home.
One of the postseason clinching scenarios for the Preds tonight is simple: win and they're in. If they do so, the Predators would secure a playoff berth for the eighth-consecutive season, but Nashville knows they'll need to be at their best to do so. With just three games to go in the regular season, that playoff-style feel is present every night, and the Preds will look to bounce back after a 5-4 overtime loss to Minnesota on Sunday.

"Both teams battled hard, and there was a lot of emotion in the game, a lot of special teams in the game and a lot of momentum swings, but I thought our guys really battled hard tonight," Preds Head Coach John Hynes said following Sunday's loss. "And we earned a point - we'd like to get two points, but we've got to take some things out of it and be ready for Calgary."

"We don't want to get away from what we're trying to accomplish out there," Preds defenseman Dante Fabbro said. "Identity is a big part of our team and being physical and hard to play against. So, I don't think you can take any team lightly in this League. Every team is really good, and anyone can win on any given night. I believe if we play the right way and play to our style, that's going to give us the best chance to win night in and night out."
Eeli Tolvanen returned to the Nashville lineup on Sunday after being scratched the night before in Tampa. Defensemen Ben Harpur and Jeremy Davies, as well as forward Matt Luff, were scratched against the Wild.
The Preds did not practice on Monday, but are expected to hold a morning skate prior to tonight's matchup versus the Flames.

The Good Guys:

Four Preds players found the back of the net to help gain them another point in the standings on Sunday, including Filip Forsberg who tallied his 40th goal of the season - just the second skater in franchise history to reach that milestone. Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen and Fabbro each scored as well. Goaltender David Rittich got the start and made 42 saves in the loss.
Preds Captain Roman Josi leads his club - and all NHL defensemen - and is tied for 12th in the NHL in points this season with 91 (21g-70a). Josi is followed by Duchene with 81 (41g-40a) and Forsberg with 80 (40g-40a). Johansen has 60 points (24g-36a), Mikael Granlund has 58 (10g-48a) and Tanner Jeannot has 41 (24g-17a). Rittich is now 5-3-3 in net; netminder Juuse Saros is 38-25-3.

The Opposition:

The Flames have won four of their last five games including a 6-3 victory on Saturday evening over the Vancouver Canucks. Johnny Gaudreau leads his club in points - and is also third among all NHL skaters - with 111 (39g-72a), followed by Matthew Tkachuk with 101 (40g-61a) and Elias Lindholm with 80 (40g-40a). Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is 37-15-8 in net; netminder Dan Vladar is 12-5-2.

All-Time Meetings:

Nashville is 2-0-0 against Calgary in 2021-22, picking up a 3-2 OT victory on Nov. 2 and a 3-2 SO victory last Tuesday. The Predators are 4-0-1 in their last five games vs. the Flames; they are 6-3-1 in their last 10; and 2-2-1 in their last five on home ice.
The Predators have only lost three times in regulation to the Flames since Dec. 15, 2015 (9-3-5) and have picked up at least one point in 23 of their last 30 games (16-7-7). The Predators are 38-25-(4)-12 all-time against the Flames, including a 17-13-(3)-5 record at Bridgestone Arena.

Notables Versus Calgary:

Josi has three goals and 18 assists in 28 career games vs. Calgary. Johansen has seven points (3g-4a) in his last 11 meetings with the Flames, and 13 points (5g-8a) in 26 career games against Calgary. Luke Kunin owns six points (2g-4a) in eight career games against Calgary.
Saros is 6-1-1 with a .920 save percentage in eight career games vs. the Flames. Rittich went 63-39-15 in 130 appearances with Calgary from 2017-21. He also represented the Flames in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game.
Predators broadcaster Terry Crisp, who is celebrating his final season covering the team on Bally Sports South, won the 1989 Stanley Cup as head coach of the Flames.

Watch & Listen:

Coverage for tonight's 7 p.m. CT puck drop from Nashville begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Predators Live! pregame show on Bally Sports South hosted by Lyndsay Rowley and Terry Crisp. Willy Daunic, Chris Mason and Kara Hammer have the call on the television side, while Pete Weber and Hal Gill will broadcast on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame coverage on the radio begins at 6 p.m. with Darren McFarland. Tonight's game will also be broadcasted on El Jefe presented by Don Beto powered by ETHNIX GROUP and will be carried on 96.7 FM, 105.3 FM and 810 AM.