(Sports Network) - The Calgary Flames have been tied with Anaheim at the end of regulation in all three meetings between the clubs this season only to watch the Ducks win every time.
The Flames hope to finally break through against the Ducks tonight, as the Western Conference playoff hopefuls clash at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Ducks recorded a 3-2 shootout victory against Calgary on Dec. 10 and have since posted a pair of 5-4 overtime decisions versus the Flames, including one on March 20 at the Honda Center. Tonight, Calgary desperately needs a win against the Ducks, as the Flames are three points behind Chicago for the last playoff spot in the West with just five games remaining in the regular season. Anaheim is seventh overall in the West, four points ahead of Calgary. In addition to winning all three games against the Flames this year, Anaheim has taken seven of nine overall in the series. However, the Ducks have lost four of six and 10 of their last 13 games in Calgary. Calgary has not played well in general lately, having dropped six of their last eight games (2-4-2). The Flames were able to end an 0-1-2 losing streak in their last game, posting a 5-4 shootout win Saturday in Edmonton. Alex Tanguay scored the lone goal of the shootout to give Calgary a much-needed two points at Rexall Place. Calgary overcame a 3-1 deficit to the Oilers after 40 minutes by scoring three goals in the third period. "It was our season on the line going into that period and we knew we had to find a way. Somehow we gutted it out," Calgary defenseman Steve Staios said. "We've got a veteran team here and we found a way to do it." Jarome Iginla had two power-play goals and an assist while Staios netted the equalizer late in the third for the Flames, who got 17 saves from Miikka Kiprusoff. Calgary has a solid 22-12-4 record as the host this season and will play three of its final five games of the regular season on home ice. The Ducks, meanwhile, continued their recent hot streak with Monday's 5-4 win over the visiting Colorado Avalanche. The victory, which featured a hat trick from Teemu Selanne, improved Anaheim's record to 11-3-0 over its last 14 contests. Selanne's three-goal game marked the 22nd hat trick of the 40-year-old's remarkable career. The Finnish Flash now has 28 goals and 75 points on the season, giving him his best numbers in both categories since a 48-goal, 94- point campaign in 2006-07. Selanne has compiled two goals and five assists in two games against Calgary this season. Cam Fowler and Jason Blake also scored for Anaheim on Monday. Saku Koivu and Lubomir Visnovsky both collected two assists, while Ray Emery finished with 31 saves to remain undefeated in five starts as a Duck. The Ducks have won four of their last five road games and are 19-16-3 away from Anaheim this season.
For more news and information on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.