Flames 4 - 2 Thrashers
Final
  for this game

Streaking Flames try for first victory in Atlanta

Feb 3, 2011 - 3:42 PM (Sports Network) - The Calgary Flames are on the verge of producing their longest win streak in over two years, but in order to do that they must pick up their first ever victory in Atlanta tonight in a matchup with the Thrashers at Philips Arena.

The Flames came out of the All-Star break to post a 3-2 shootout victory in Nashville on Tuesday, running their string of consecutive victories to a season-best five. They haven't won six in a row since Oct. 21-Nov. 1, 2008.

Matt Stajan and Cory Sarich scored in regulation versus the Predators before Rene Bourque scored the only goal of the shootout. Miikka Kiprusoff donated 25 saves as Calgary won for the fourth time in its last five road games as well.

The Flames, who played without defenseman Steve Staios due to a rib injury, sit in a tie for 11th in the Western Conference with 56 points, just two back of a playoff spot.

If Calgary wants to make up more ground in the postseason race, it will need to find a way to win in Atlanta. The Flames are 0-5 with a tie in six all-time trips there and snapped a two-game series losing streak with last season's 3-1 home win that featured 24 saves from Kiprusoff and a goal by Bourque.

Kiprusoff has been solid over his career versus the Thrashers, going 3-1-0 with a 2.25 goals-against average.

Atlanta will look to keep its home success intact versus Calgary after losing Tuesday's 4-1 decision to the New York Islanders at Philips Arena.

Freddy Meyer accounted for the Thrashers' lone goal and Ondrej Pavelec made 29 saves as his club fell to 2-5-3 in its last 10 games.

"We spent too much time in our zone tonight," Pavelec said. "They came in and played a hard game and won the battles and the game. We have to find a way to win these games and protect our building."

The Thrashers still sit eighth overall in the Eastern Conference, one ahead of the Hurricanes, and got Evander Kane back into the lineup on Tuesday after he sat out four straight games with a lower-body injury.

Atlanta's loss was its fifth in six home games and the club will wrap a three- game residency this evening.






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