Five storylines to watch as the Flames play host to the Nashville Predators Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome (8 p.m., TV: CBC, Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

1 LAST TIME THEY MET

When these teams faced each other on Oct. 24, you could have sworn it was mid-season given the level of the clash. The Flames snapped a two-game losing skid at Bridgestone Arena with a 3-2 shootout victory. And they did so in exciting fashion as they erased a two-goal deficit. Matthew Tkachuk started the comeback with a goal in the late stages of the game and finished it with the decisive shootout winner.

2

DONATE THE WEIGHT OF THE FLAMES

The Calgary Flames and Calgary Co-op are teaming up to support the Calgary Food Bank. During Saturday’s game against Nashville, fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items and are aiming to ‘Donate the Weight of the Calgary Flames.’ Saturday is the final day of collection as the goal is set for 5,400 pounds of food. Fans can make non-perishable food or cash donations upon entry at Saturday’s game.

3

THE NORTHERN PROJECT

Defenceman Travis Hamonic, his wife Stephanie and the Flames officially announced a community program directed at Indigenous children from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon and providing them with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Northern Project will see children and their families visit Calgary for the weekend on an all-expenses paid trip, courtesy of the Hamonics. “My wife Stephanie and I are extremely excited to host Indigenous children and their families who may otherwise not have the opportunity to see an NHL game,” Hamonic said in a release. “Being Métis myself, I hold my roots very close to my heart and hope this initiative provides the children and their families with a bit of light and hope for their future.” The first recipient, 14-year-old MacLeod Arnatsiaq from Naujaat, Nunavut, his 13-year-old brother Pakak and their father Emmanuel arrived on Friday and will be in attendance for Saturday’s game. Throughout the season, three families will be awarded the opportunity.

4

HEY HEY IT’S JUUSE

Nashville netminder Juuse Saros posted a franchise-record 46-save shutout on Thursday as the Predators blanked the Edmonton Oilers 4-0. In the first period alone, the Preds were outshot 22-4. This came after a 43save performance against the Dallas Stars last week. It was his second consecutive win in a back-to-back situation. While the Flames will likely face the Predators No. 1, the 22-yearold Finn has started seven games this season and has a 3-3-1 record with a 2.94 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.

5

ON THE PROWL

If anyone was wondering if the Predators have missed a step since the 2017 Stanley Cup final, check out the NHL standings. Heading into Friday’s action, they are sitting at second in the league (and tied with St. Louis with 44 points). Following Thursday’s 4-0 win over the Oilers, they were 20-7-4 to lead the Western Conference. They’re scoring a lot (averaging a fifth-best 3.32 goals per game average), saving a lot (averaging 2.64 goals against per game), and have won 15 of their past 20. Gulp.