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Flames try to stay hot in road test vs. Stars

Mar 18, 2013 - 3:03 PM (Sports Network) - The Calgary Flames will shoot for their first three-game winning streak in over a year when they visit the reeling Dallas Stars in Monday's battle at American Airlines Center.

With recent home wins over Detroit and Nashville, the Flames are on their fourth two-game winning streak of 2013, but Calgary hasn't won three in a row since a five-game run from March 6-15 of last season.

Prior to winning its last two tilts, Calgary was on an 0-3 slide and had scored a total of three goals during that losing streak. The Flames have broken out of that slump in a big way, however, scoring 11 combined goals in their victories over the Red Wings and Predators.

Curtis Glencross led the offense in the most recent triumph, as he notched the second hat trick of his career to pace Calgary in Friday's 6-3 over the visiting Predators.

"The two points are what we needed tonight and we were able to do that," said Glencross. "You know, the hat trick is nice, but the win is even better and this is a good step."

Glencross has scored five times over his last four games and is leading the Flames with 12 goals this season.

Jiri Hudler added a goal and an assist while Mark Giordano and Blake Comeau each scored for the Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff gave up three goals on 20 shots for the win.

Flames forward Mikael Backlund did suffer a foot injury in Friday's win and he is questionable for Monday.

Calgary, which is four points out of a playoff spot in the West, will try to halt a six-game road losing streak on Monday. The Flames are 3-6-2 as the guest this season, but their last road was against the Stars, as Calgary notched a 4-3 win in Dallas on Feb. 17.

The Flames are 2-0 against the Stars this season and have won three straight and seven of 10 overall in this series.

After beginning the month of March with consecutive wins, Dallas has lost four straight and has been outscored by a combined 16-3 margin during the 0-3-1 slide.

The Stars were thoroughly embarrassed by Chicago in their most recent outing, losing Saturday's 8-1 decision to the visiting Blackhawks. Dallas fell behind 3-0 in the first period and allowed Chicago to score seven unanswered goals before Trevor Daley finally got the Stars on the board in the third period.

The Blackhawks had dropped two in a row following their NHL-record 24-game point streak to start the season, but were able to take out their frustration on the Stars, who made it fairly easy for Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford, testing him with just 19 shots.

Stars netminders Kari Lehtonen and Richard Bachman each surrendered four goals on 17 shots.

"I don't see it as problems in the team. It's just our job as coaches to make sure our players, especially our young players, are prepared to play against a team like this," said Dallas head coach Glen Gulutzan.

The only good news for Dallas on Saturday was the return of forward Jamie Benn to the lineup after missing two games with a wrist injury. Benn, who is tied for second on the team with 17 points, had an assist in the loss.

Dallas will try to salvage the finale of a four-game homestand after going 0-2-1 so far. The Stars are 5-6-2 in Big D this season.