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Flames have a ‘dangerous game’ tonight versus Arizona

Calgary Flames v Edmonton Oilers

Calgary Flames v Edmonton Oilers

Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images

For the Calgary Flames to come this far, to win so many games they weren’t supposed to win, only to have a letdown tonight at home against the woeful Coyotes -- well, that would be kind of a shame, wouldn’t it?

OK, maybe not for the Kings or Jets, given the standings, but definitely for the Flames and their fans.

It’s something defenseman David Schlemko is keenly aware of, with Thursday’s showdown versus the Kings looming over tonight’s match-up.

“I think it’s kind of a dangerous game,” he said. “Everyone’s already talking about L.A. on Thursday. It’s not going to matter if we don’t pick up two points tonight.”

That’s not entirely true. Thursday’s game is going to matter, whether the Flames win or lose tonight. But anything less than two points against one of the NHL’s worst teams would hurt, especially if the Kings go into Edmonton and get a win.

Calgary and Los Angeles each have 93 points heading into tonight’s action. The Flames hold the ROW tie-breaker, 39 to 37.

“It’s all about us, it’s all about us,” said coach Bob Hartley. “Whether we play the Stanley Cup champions or we play any of the other teams, it’s the way we prepare. ... We understand what these two home games mean to us. But we’re going to play them one at a time.”

The Flames finish their season Saturday in Winnipeg.

As for the Coyotes, they won their last game, beating San Jose 5-3 on Saturday. But they’re 0-4-0 versus the Flames this season.