The set-up: The Flames erased an early two-goal deficit before falling in overtime at two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh on Monday, but did salvage a point in the OT loss. Calgary had dropped three straight away from home to tumble into fifth place in the Pacific Division and 11th in the Western Conference with 15 games remaining. Calgary needed to end a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) and it did just that with Wednesday's 5-1 triumph in Buffalo. The 33-25-10 Flames are involved in a tight battle for the second wild-card spot, as well as second and third place in the Pacific Division. Calgary concludes its three-game road trip Friday at the 23-31-11 Ottawa Senators. Ottawa squandered a pair of one-goal leads Thursday and went on to suffer a 4-3 loss to Buffalo in a shootout. The Senators are just two points ahead of the Sabres, who occupy the basement in the Eastern Conference but have two games in hand.

Calgary: The Flames have dropped nine of 12 since an injury to starting goaltender Mike Smith. They did get a boost on Tuesday when Smith returned to practice after missing time with a lower-body injury, although he was unable to provide a timetable for his return to the lineup. He will remain a spectator as the Flames go with the rookie tandem of David Rittich and Jon Gillies. Johnny Gaudreau notched a pair of assists on Wednesday in what was his 300th NHL game to increase his team-leading point total to 76 (20 goals). Sean Monahan was one of four members of the Flames to record a goal and an assist against the Sabres, ending his four-game point drought, and is one tally shy of matching the career high of 31 he set in 2014-15 (has 30 goals and 29 assists)..

Ottawa: The Senators were in OT in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last season, before falling to the Penguins. However,this year's team is 23-32-11 and with 57 points, will be watching this year's playoffs on TV. In fact, Ottawa is just two points ahead of Buffalo, which sits last in the Eastern Conference standings. Captain Erik Karlsson (7 goals and 50 points) notched an assist in the setback, giving him eight points over his last five games, and has not gone more than one contest without a point since Feb. 3 and 4. Ryan Dzingel registered his third two-goal performance of the campaign on Thursday, leaving him one tally shy of his first career 20-goal season (19 goals and 30 points). He one goal behind team leader Mark Stone (20 goals and 42 assists), who notched an assist against the Sabres to extend his point streak to 10 games. Stone has collected two goals and 13 assists during his run and is two points away from tying the career high of 64 he set in 2014-15.

The pick: The Flames are expected to start goaltender Dave Rittich, who made 25 saves during the slump busting win in Buffalo before losing his shutout bid with 17.2 seconds left on the clock. With Ottawa playing the second of back-to-back games, Senators coach Guy Boucher will likely start Mike Condon between the pipes. The Flames are an impressive 19-10-6 on the road on the season but before getting five goals at Buffalo (Weds.), had scored just six goals in their 0-3-1 skid. Make the Under a 10* play.