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Red-hot Predators visit Flames

Jan 24, 2011 - 4:05 PM (Sports Network) - The surging Nashville Predators will aim for a fourth straight victory tonight when they visit the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

In addition to winning their last three games, the Predators have also claimed victories in 10 out of 12 trips to the ice. As a result, Nashville is second in the Central Division and fourth in the Western Conference with 60 points.

Nashville is also 3-1-0 on a six-game road trip that is set to end Wednesday in Vancouver. The Preds lead the Western Conference in road wins with a 16-11-1 record away from Music City.

The Predators notched their most recent win in Edmonton, as they edged the Oilers 3-2 on Sunday night. Cody Franson scored the lone goal of the shootout to lead Nashville to the win at Rexall Place.

Nashville's second shooter, Franson snapped a shot off the right post and in. Taylor Hall was the last chance for Edmonton, but Pekka Rinne made the stop of Hall's backhand for the win.

Alex Sulzer had a goal and an assist while Joel Ward scored the other goal for the Predators. Rinne made 22 stops while Franson had two assists.

"I didn't like the way we played," admitted Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We can be a little firmer on a lot of areas of our game."

The Flames notched a 1-0 overtime win in Nashville in the only meeting between the clubs this season back on Oct. 19. Rene Bourque recorded the OT winner to give Calgary its seventh victory in the last nine encounters between these clubs.

Nashville has posted wins in its last two trips to Calgary, but the Predators have still dropped four out of seven at the Saddledome.

Calgary has also posted victories in its last two trips to the ice and both of those wins came against first-place teams. The Flames are 14th in the Western Conference standings, but only five points out of a potential playoff spot.

The Flames posted a 7-4 win Friday against visiting Dallas, who lead the Pacific Division, and then notched a shootout win the following night in Vancouver against the Northwest Division-leading Canucks.

Alex Tanguay was eventually credited with the winning shootout goal in Calgary's 4-3 victory over the Canucks at Rogers Arena. After Ryan Kesler missed the net to begin the third round for Vancouver, Tanguay flicked a backhander that got lost in the equipment of Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, whose momentum propelled him over the goal line.

Although the officials initially ruled no goal, a video review overturned the call and assured the extra point for Calgary.

Brendan Morrison, Curtis Glencross and Tim Jackman tallied for the Flames, who have won four of their last six games. Miikka Kiprusoff made 41 saves.

The Flames are playing the first of two straight on home ice tonight. Calgary ended a three-game slide as the host with Friday's win over the Stars and the Flames are 12-9-1 at the Saddledome this season.