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Flames hope for more sparks against Islanders

Jan 8, 2009 - 11:34 AM NY Islanders (12-25-4) at Calgary (24-12-4), 9:00 p.m. EST

CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- A torrid stretch by Daymond Langkow has helped the Calgary Flames catch fire.

Eyeing their seventh win in eight tries, the Flames hope for more offensive production from Langkow when they host the lowly New York Islanders on Thursday.

The Flames have been one of the NHL's hottest teams since losing, 6-1, to the San Jose Sharks on November 13. They have gone 15-4-3 since, and kept up their strong play with an impressive outing against the Sharks in a 5-2 win on Tuesday.

Calgary had its season-high, five-game winning streak come to an end with a 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Its recent surge can be traced to the prowess of Langkow, who has scored in three straight contests and is riding a six-game points streak. The center tallied twice in the victory over San Jose and is tied with Michael Cammalleri with 14 goals on the season, good for second on the team - behind captain Jarome Iginla's 18.

The Islanders, whose road woes continued in a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, are winless in their last 13 games away from home (0-12-1) and have the fewest regulation wins and points in the NHL.

Their last victory as visitors came in a 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens on November 24.

New York has notched just two victories since beating the Ottawa Senators, 4-2, at home on November 29.