Calgary Flames at New York Rangers game preview: The start of the eastern swing

For the next seven games, the Calgary Flames will be facing exclusively eastern conference opponents. While this is a team that has had remarkable success within their own division, the stranger danger the east poses is very real: the Flames have just an 8-12-2 record against what is totally the inferior conference. This includes a game already against tonight's opponents, the New York Rangers. The two teams previously played when the Flames were in the midst of their eight-game losing streak. The Rags potted four goals on Karri Ramo, including two by Rick Nash, chasing him. Tonight, he might just get his revenge.

Hopefully the outcome will be better, at least. Last game, the Flames did something historic: they had a lead. A 2-0 lead, to be exact, courtesy of Matt Stajan and Joe Colborne. It was pretty fun, until the Anaheim Ducks scored five goals in the third period, totally taking the Flames' thunder and giving them a 6-3 beating. | Recap | Stats | Boxscore | At least Sean Monahan got his 20th for the second season in a row:

The Rangers, meanwhile, are looking pretty comfortable in their ability to make the playoffs, what with them having a 14 point lead on the Florida Panthers, the first team in the east just out of the dance at the moment. So they really don't need the points tonight. They've already picked up points in their last eight straight, with a 6-0-2 record (those overtime losses came against the Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks, so thanks a LOT, Rags, you owe us!).

Henrik Lundqvist is still out thanks to a puck taken to the throat, so he shouldn't be an issue. Mackenzie Skapski picked up his first NHL win against the Buffalo Sabres, but the Flames have a slightly better record than they do, and this isn't a back-to-back game for New York, so Cam Talbot - who has been doing a pretty decent job in Lundqvist's stead - might be the opposition tonight. For more on one of two teams with the New York moniker, head on over to Blueshirt Banter.

Game time: 5:00 p.m. MT, because the eastern time zone is awful

Channel: SNW

All-time record: These two guys don't face each other much, but the Flames are the all-time victors, with a 55-39-15-5 record. That tally carries a +67 goal differential with it. If the Flames can win by two goals tonight, that'll be a #nice goal differential.

Common threads: Both teams once held the rights to Tim Erixon. Man, that guy.

Also, Lee Stempniak is currently with the Rangers! He has seven goals and 16 points for them over 50 games. Always liked that guy.

Martin St. Louis is also a Ranger. He still owes us a Cup, I'm pretty sure.

Approaching milestones: Mason Raymond: seven more games to hit 500. Deryk Engelland: four more games for 300.

David Jones: 10 goals until 100. TJ Brodie: seven points until 100.

Michael Ferland: one goal until one goal. Emile Poirier: one game until one game played. Also one point until one point. That could happen tonight, if the rookies get to play and/or make debuts!

Scoreboard watching: The Flames are out of a playoff spot for the first time in forever, and it's very sad. They'll need a bit of help to get back in it.

• Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins - Hey Boston I know you left Alberta 0-2 that one time. Do us another favour?
• Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators - Probably not going to be an issue, but a Nashville win to help cement things wouldn't hurt.
• Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild - Can we count on Edmonton for anything? The answer is no. They're useless.
• Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets - Dallas isn't that far behind, but the Flames can overtake the Jets if they just win. So a Dallas win in regulation is probably the preferred option here.
• Detroit Red Wings at Los Angeles Kings - Come on, you inexplicably flying tires.

Current records and leaders

Possible starting lineups

Emile Poirier and Michael Ferland might draw in. Or they might not. We don't really know just yet: there are going to be some game time decisions to be made.