The set-up: The 31-26-4 Calgary Flames are coming off a 3-2 win last night at Tampa, as they've now earned at least one point in eight of their last 10 games (7-2-1). The Flames are at the 28-21-10 Florida Panthers tonight, who saw a five-game winning streak (all on the road) end with Wednesday's 4-3 home loss to the Oilers.

Calgary: The Flames (66 points) own the Western Conference's last postseason slot and have continued to be successful without receiving goals from Johnny Gaudreau. However, while the LW hasn't put the puck in the net, he has registered nine assists in his last nine games and moved into second on the team in scoring with 40 points. Brian Elliott started the past four games in goal for the Flames, so they might turn to Chad Johnson on Friday.

Florida: Home was NOT where the heart is for the Panthers, who returned to home ice after five straight road wins, only to fall 4-3 to the Oilers. However, Panthers interim head coach Tom Rowe said his team gave a good performance despite being tired. "Four games in six nights, and the effort we got was outstanding," Rowe said of a Panthers team that fell behind Edmonton three times only to battle back for three tie scores before finally allowing the game-winner. James Reimer made his second straight start in goal against Edmonton, opening the door for veteran Roberto Luongo to play for the first time since Saturday at Los Angeles.

The pick: Word is it will be Johnson vs. Luongo in goal tonight and in Johnson's last start, he allowed four goals in the first two periods against the Arizona Coyotes back on Feb. 13, before being replaced by Elliott. An off day (Thursday) should have helped the Panthers and with 66 points, they could sure use a win, as they are currently two points behind the Islanders and Bruins in the battle for the last playoff spot in the East. Make Florida an 8* play.