The set-up: The 41-27-4 Calgary Flames look for their 13th win in 14 games when the visit the 46-17-8 Washington Capitals, who are tied with Cloumbus for teh most point sin the league (100). Washington punched its playoff ticket for the ninth time in 10 seasons with Saturday's 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay, improving to 2-0-1 in its last three after a season-high four-game skid.

Calgary: The Flames' hot streak leaves them with the No. 1 wild card spot in the West, five point ahead of the Blues, as well as 11 points inside the playoff cut line. The acquisition of veteran Brian Elliott didn't turn many heads with his play to begin the season but that was then iand this is now. Elliott owns a 15-1-1 mark since Jan. 26, a stretch that has seen Calgary post a 17-3-1 record. He owns 11 consecutive victories, having allowed just 19 goals during that stretch (a 1.70 goals-against average). He looks to eclipse Mike Vernon's franchise-record win streak on Tuesday against the Caps.

Washington: As noted above, the Caps have seemingly recovered form that four-game skid but clearly, this game will be a huge test. The bottom line is, the Capitals have been a sluggish 5-4-1 in their last 10 contests. However, play their next three games at home where they are 26-6-2, outscoring the opposition 3.39-to-1.69 GPG.

The pick: The Pens are just one point behind the Caps and are favored to win at Buffalo, so a Washington loss, a Pittsburgh win, with Columbus (currently tied with Washington at 100 points) being idle would make the Metropolitan Division look like this come Wednesday morning; Pittsburgh 101 points, Columbus 100 points and Washington 100 points! My bet says that WON'T be the case. Washington defeated Calgary 3-1 back on Oct. 30 in the teams' only other meeting this season. Make Washington an 8* play.