Coyotes @ Flames

Who will WIN this matchup?

Arizona Coyotes (26-27-5)

@ Calgary Flames (35-16-7)

Starting Goalies:

Darcy Kuemper (ARI): Unconfirmed

David Rittich (CGY): Unconfirmed

Current odds:

Arizona Coyotes: (+190)

Calgary Flames: (-230)

• The Calgary Flames ended their season-high four-game winless skid (0-2-2) in style by erupting for four second-period goals to salvage the finale of four-game, eight-day road trip. The Flames look to keep that fire going on Monday when they open a three-game homestand against an Arizona Coyotes club that they have outscored 13-2 in two encounters this season. “I don’t think it’s a sigh of relief. No one in this locker room is worried at all. We’re still in (a tie for) first place in the West and we’re still as confident as ever,” said Sam Bennett, whose goal capped the four-goal frenzy in the second period of Saturday’s 5-4 win in Pittsburgh. Veteran goaltender Mike Smith welcomed the offense in that contest in the same manner as he did in a pair of lopsided defeats against his former team, when he turned aside 50 of 52 shots.

• While Calgary resides tied in points with San Jose atop the Western Conference, Pacific Division-rival Arizona quietly has crept within earshot of the wild-card spot by winning three of four following a five-game skid. “That’s how we’ve got to play,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said of his team’s conservative performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Toronto. “We have to play a defend-first, timely-goal, protect-the-middle-of-the-ice type of system and the guys did that.”

• Darcy Kuemper has turned the page following a tough start to the month in which he yielded 12 goals during a three-game losing skid, turning aside 116 of 124 shots to win three of his last four starts. The 28-year-old registered his second shutout of the season and 13th career following his 22-save performance against the Maple Leafs and is expected to get the nod versus Calgary, against which he owns a 2-1-1 mark in four career appearances. “‘Kuemps’ had to make some saves, had to hold on there, but overall it was a strong 60 (minutes), and if you play 60-minute hockey like that you’re going to find yourself on the right side a lot,” center Derek Stepan told reporters.

• Captain Mark Giordano notched a pair of assists in Calgary’s 6-1 win over Arizona on Nov. 25 before celebrating his 800th career game by scoring two goals and setting up another in a 7-1 romp versus the Coyotes on Jan. 13. The offensive-minded defenseman has collected 33 of his 55 points at home, with 11 coming in his last eight. Johnny Gaudreau has padded his team-leading totals in assists (49) and points (78) by setting up two goals along with scoring one against Arizona this season.

• Arizona F Alex Galchenyuk has scored five of his team-leading 13 goals in the last seven games.

• Flames LW Matthew Tkachuk, who scored twice in his last encounter with the Coyotes, snapped a seven-game point drought with an assist on Saturday.

• Arizona C Clayton Keller, who owns club-best totals in assists (27) and points (38), has been held off the scoresheet in six of his last eight games.