Three stats to know before Flames battle the Predators

Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) scores the winning goal against Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, during a shootout in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Calgary won 3-2. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

The Calgary Flames head to “Smashville” to take on the Nashville Predators. Here are three stats to know before this Western Conference clash.

1. Calgary’s winning ways in Nashville

Like the “Vegas Flu,” some teams fall victim to the “Nashville Flu.” The Flames have avoided those particular distractions and are 5-1-0 in their last six contests in Nashville. They’ve outscored the Predators 18-15 in that span.

Calgary has been great as the visiting team this year in general, producing a road record of 16-7-5. In the last 10 road games, the Flames have outscored opponents 33-24 with a record of 7-2-1.

2. The Predators are one of the hottest teams in the NHL

Nashville has been the best team in the league since Jan. 6 with a record of 11-1-3. In those 15 contests, the Predators have produced 46 goals, surrendering just 32. In the last seven games, they’re 5-0-2 and have outscored teams 26-7.

The Predators have not lost in regulation in eight straight meetings with the Flames, going 4-0-4 while outscoring them 21-18. Pekka Rinne has not lost in regulation in 11 straight starts, going 10-0-1 with a 1.95 GAA, .934 SV% and two shutouts.

3. Two struggling powerplays go head-to-head

If you had the chance to decline a penalty in the NHL right now, the Predators and the Flames are two teams who might take that option. Calgary is just 3-for-34 on the powerplay in their last 10 games (8.8 per cent) and owns the sixth-worst powerplay (16.6 per cent) in the NHL.

As for Nashville, it has gone 0-for-13 with the man advantage in their last five games. It isn’t all bad, though. The Predators have the best home powerplay in the NHL at 30.5 per cent.

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