FLAMES (24-24-3) at SENATORS (26-15-5)
7:30 p.m. ET; RDS2, TSN5, SNW, NHL.TV
Flames team scope
The Calgary Flames look to end a four-game losing streak, when they have fallen behind 4-0 in each game. They have lost five straight road games (0-4-1) and have given up the first goal in nine consecutive games. "These streaks always feel like they are longer and you're playing worse than you really are," captain Mark Giordano said. "Tonight, the main thing for us is to be aggressive. Our problem lately it seems like we're waiting for bad things to happen and when they do, we can't recover. I think our mindset has to be really aggressive, play with a nothing-to-lose mentality." Calgary is coming off a 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, when coach Glen Gulutzan said his team was "pathetic." Gulutzan said his public comments weren't anything the players haven't already heard. "My mom was Irish," he said. "In that locker room from Day One, I show my emotion there. Out in front of the cameras, it's probably the first time I've showed my emotion, but I thought it was pretty mild. I thought that was the tip of the iceberg." Goaltender Brian Elliott will start. Gulutzan said he has now adopted a "win and you're in" approach to the Flames goaltenders.
Senators team scope
Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman, tied for the team lead in goals with 17, is a game-time decision because of illness. "I'm going to try and play. That's the plan," said Hoffman, who missed the Senators 3-0 win against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. The Ottawa lineup is uncertain because of the statuses of Hoffman and defenseman Mark Borowiecki, who lost 10 pounds during his four-game absence because of a stomach virus. Forward Tommy Wingels, acquired Tuesday in a trade with the San Jose Sharks, will make his Senators debut. Wingels had eight points (five goals, three assists) in 37 games with the Sharks this season. "I like to play a physical, aggressive, speed game," Wingels said. "I like to forecheck hard. I like to chip in with some goals and that's kind of the identity they have here. ... It's exciting to come into a team that has that kind of identity, a team that has the personnel they have here and the players that move the puck like they do. It's a well-built team and I'll try to add what I can to that." Ottawa is 6-1-1 in its past eight games after a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) Goaltender Mike Condon will start his 15th straight game.
Flames projected lineup
Johnny Gaudreau -- Sean Monahan -- Michael Frolik
Matthew Tkachuk -- Michael Backlund -- Alex Chiasson
Kris Versteeg -- Sam Bennett -- Troy Brouwer
Lance Bouma -- Matt Stajan -- Micheal Ferland
Mark Giordano -- Dougie Hamilton
T.J. Brodie -- Dennis Wideman
Brett Kulak -- Deryk Engelland
Brian Elliott
Scratched: Jyrki Jokipakka, Freddie Hamilton
Injured: Ladislav Smid (neck), Garnet Hathaway (upper body)
Senators projected lineup
Zack Smith -- Derick Brassard -- Mark Stone
Ryan Dzingel -- Kyle Turris -- Bobby Ryan
Mike Hoffman -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Tom Pyatt
Chris Kelly -- Curtis Lazar -- Tommy Wingels
Marc Methot -- Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf -- Cody Ceci
Fredrik Claesson -- Chris Wideman
Mike Condon
Chris Driedger
Scratched: Chris Neil
Injured: Andrew Hammond (ankle), Clarke MacArthur (concussion), Mark Borowiecki (illness)
Personal leave: Craig Anderson
Status report
Gulutzan will tweak his lines, putting Frolik in Chiasson's place with Gaudreau and Monahan. Gutulzan said he likes Frolik's puck recovery skills and that could help that line. … If Hoffman plays, Neil could be a scratch. … Hammond was on the ice in full equipment for the morning skate. He has been out since Dec. 18 with a high ankle sprain.
Who's hot
Dougie Hamilton has eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his past eight games. … Monahan has seven points (five goals, two assists) in his past seven games. … Hoffman has nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his past seven games. … Turris has eight points (four goals, four assists) in his past eight games. … Brassard has eight assists in his past eight games. … Smith has four points (three goals, one assist) in his past two games.
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