The Calgary Flames (24-178-7) remain home for a Thursday night matchup with the Anaheim Ducks (21-23-6). Tonight is the second meeting between the two clubs, with the last one serving as a pivotal moment in the Flames' season.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups.

The Calgary Flames announced a late lineup change during Thursday night's warm-ups against the Anaheim Ducks. Minutes before the puck drop, the Calgary Flames announced that Andrei Kuzmenko would not play in their Thursday night game against the Anaheim Ducks. In his place, Kevin Rooney returns to the lineup, which will be his 300th NHL game.

The Ducks will cap a short two-game road trip tonight and shoot for their fourth straight win, facing off with the division rival Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. PUCK DROP: 6 P.M. PT | WATCH:

The Calgary Flames have dropped consecutive games and now trail the rival Vancouver Canucks by one point in the Wild Card race as they welcome the Anaheim Ducks to town. My Flames vs. Ducks predictions see Matt Coronato stepping up and helping Calgary reclaim momentum with a much-needed victory.

BOTTOM LINE: The Anaheim Ducks will try to prolong a three-game win streak with a victory over the Calgary Flames. Calgary has gone 24-18-7 overall with a 7-4-1 record against the Pacific Division. The Flames have conceded 145 goals while scoring 130 for a -15 scoring differential.

Mikeal Backlund is in the top-25% of the league in speed bursts over 32km/hr with 76. He’s in the top-5% in 29-32km/hr speed bursts with a whopping 459. But high-end speed? He has only one instance of going above 35km/hr. Well below league average. #Flames #NHLEdge pic.twitter.com/ingffsTIbf

One of the most common questions we’ve received from fans of the Calgary Flames in recent weeks is “Hey, when is Connor Zary expected back?” After Zary

Led by Mason McTavish, they’ve netted 16 goals while winning three in a row, their most tallies in a three-game stretch in nearly 19 years.

When Connor Zary left a game versus the Anaheim Ducks earlier in the month, many Calgary Flames fans feared that he would be out for the season. The 23-year-old was in a world of pain after going knee-on-knee with Ducks defenceman Drew Helleson,

The Calgary Flames played a solid game on Tuesday night, but wound up falling to the Washington Capitals by a 3-1 final.

Zary’s return — whenever it may be — will be big news for a team that definitely misses his finish around the net and his ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone. The Flames have quickly come to count on No. 47 to be a difference-maker in the key moments.