FLAMES (14-13-2) at COYOTES (8-13-4)
TV: 9 p.m.; FS-A, SNF, NHL.TV
Flames team scope
The Calgary Flames have won four straight games and will have forward Lance Bouma, out since Nov. 5 with an upper-body injury, back in the lineup. Bouma skated with Matt Stajan and Garnet Hathaway on Thursday. "I'm just looking forward to getting out there and helping tonight," Bouma told the Flames website. Micheal Ferland was skating with Sean Monahan and Troy Brouwer in place of Kris Versteeg, who will sit out. The Flames are 7-2-1 in their past 10 games and riding the hot goaltending of Chad Johnson, who will get the start. Johnson has allowed six goals in the past four games and is 9-2-0 in his past 11 starts with a 1.63 goals-against average and three shutouts. Special teams have played a major role in Calgary's hot streak as well; the power play is 8-for-39 (20.5 percent) and the penalty kill has stopped 39 of 45 opposing power plays (86.7 percent) during the past 14 games. The Flames are 8-6-2 on the road, one of three teams with at least eight road wins. Center Sean Monahan has broken out of a long scoring slump (one goal, four points in 15 games) with three goals and four assists during a five-game scoring streak. The Flames recalled defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon from Stockton of the American Hockey League on Thursday and he took part in the skate. Matthew Tkachuk, son of former Coyotes captain Keith Tkachuk, will play his first game in the city where he spent his early years.
Coyotes team scope
The Arizona Coyotes have lost five straight games (0-2-3) and were shut out for the first time this season on Tuesday, losing 4-0 at the Chicago Blackhawks. Offense continues to be the chief concern: Arizona has scored two goals or less in 10 of the past 13 games and hasn't scored more than three goals since a 4-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 8. Coach Dave Tippett has juggled line combinations and brought up players, but the results continue. Shots are a big problem: The Coyotes have had 23 or fewer in four of the past six games. "We need to get more shots, we need to get more traffic in front of the net," forward Jamie McGinn said. "We're getting good goaltending, but we're not helping them out. We 're not here to lose hockey games … it's not fun." Mike Smith will start for Arizona. He has made 40 saves in three of his past five starts, including a franchise-record 58 against the Columbus Blue Jackets in his last start at home, a 3-2 shootout loss on Dec. 3. Brendan Perlini will make his home debut in his third NHL game, playing with Jordan Martinook and leading scorer Radim Vrbata, a unit that showed some push early against Chicago. "His skill sets are NHL-level, the skating and the puck skills," Tippett said. "In the two games he played, he's had good pace, he's not intimidated by the NHL style and that's a good sign for a young player." Shane Doan's next goal will be the 400th of his career and his next assist will allow him to pass Thomas Steen (553) for the all-time franchise lead.
Flames projected lineup
Johnny Gaudreau -- Sam Bennett -- Alex Chiasson
Micheal Ferland -- Sean Monahan -- Troy Brouwer
Matthew Tkachuk -- Mikael Backlund -- Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma -- Matt Stajan -- Garnet Hathaway
Mark Giordano -- Dougie Hamilton
Jyrki Jokipakka -- Deryk Engelland
Chad Johnson
Scratched: Freddie Hamilton, Kris Versteeg, Tyler Wotherspoon
Injured: Ladislav Smid (neck)
Coyotes projected lineup
Tobias Rieder-- Martin Hanzal -- Anthony Duclair
Max Domi -- Christian Dvorak-- Shane Doan
Brendan Perlini -- Jordan Martinook -- Radim Vrbata
Lawson Crouse -- Ryan White -- Jamie McGinn
Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- Connor Murphy
Alex Goligoski -- Michael Stone
Mike Smith
Scratched: Kevin Connauton. Tyler Gaudet
Injured: Brad Richardson (broken leg)
Status report
The Flames sent defenseman Brett Kulak to Stockton. … Rieder will skate with Hanzal and Duclair, a group that had good results last season, in the hopes of helping Duclair, who has one goal in 24 games after scoring 20 as a rookie last season. "Rieder and Duclair both play fast and Marty is a guy who can control the middle," Tippett said. "We're just trying to find some balance in our group." Domi moves to a line with Dvorak and Doan.
Who's hot
Gaudreau has two goals and two assists in two games since returning from a broken finger.
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