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Preview
Calgary at Vegas

With just 14 games remaining and five points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the Calgary Flames find themselves in a must-win situation Thursday in Las Vegas when they face one of the hottest teams in the league in the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights.

Golden Knights bring winning streak into home matchup against the Flames

BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights play the Calgary Flames with a four win streak intact.

Vegas has a 42-20-6 record overall and an 8-7-2 record in Pacific Division play. The Golden Knights have a 17-8-3 record in games decided by one goal.

Calgary has a 30-24-13 record overall and a 9-4-3 record in Pacific Division play. The Flames have given up 201 goals while scoring 204 for a +3 scoring differential.

Backlund as great as he's ever been – and maybe better

The question is whether this is the best Backlund’s ever played.

In 14 seasons with the Flames — 15 if you count a one-game cameo in 2008-09 — there have been lots of times when Backlund has come up big for the Flames.

This year, though, he seems to have taken his game to another level. It hasn’t gone unnoticed in the Flames’ locker room.

“Backs is our leader, he’s been really good this year,” said Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson after Sunday night’s 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. “He served up (assists) to me and (Elias Lindholm) on a silver platter, so happy for him that he’s having such a good year.