This is a 9* on CALGARY

The lone game on the NHL docket tonight pits Calgary against Chicago. The Flames come into the matchup as losers of four in a row. But we’re still a lot more confident in them than we are the Blackhawks. Even with the four-game slide, the Flames remain in second place in the Pacific with 36 points. Their +25 goal differential is tied for the best in the Western Conference. The team has an 11-4-2 record away from Calgary this year. That’s the second most road wins in the league. On Saturday, the Flames suffered just their second regulation loss of the season to an Eastern Conference team as they went down 4-2 at home to Boston. But they had 42 shots to the Bruins’ 27. It was not a poor performance by any means. Before this four-game skid started, the Flames had won seven of eight. Again, this is a good team. Can’t say the same for Chicago, even though they have played better under interim coach Derek King. But a 1-9-2 start to the year pretty much doomed the Blackhawks, who have a -24 goal differential. Only a handful of teams have fewer points. You do have to admire the way Chicago fought back to force OT against Toronto on Saturday. But they still lost 5-4 and the team is 0-3 this season after scoring 4 or more goals in the previous game. Calgary captured the first meeting, 5-2 back on November 23rd. Play on CALGARY

AAA