FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1 THEN THERE WERE TWO

It's a two- team race for the final wildcard berth in the Western Conference. After Thursday's action, the Avalanche have a one- point edge on the Minnesota Wild, who lost 7- 4 to the Devils. The Avs, who have just one playoff appearance in the past five years, showed they mean business by adding forwards Shawn Matthias and Mikkel Boedker and defenceman Eric Gelinas prior to the trade deadline.

2 CHASING THE GOLDEN JET

Avalanche first- liner Jarome Iginla — a man who needs no introduction in Calgary — continues to climb the NHL's all- time scoring charts. With 608 career tallies, the former Flames captain is just two goals shy of tying Bobby Hull, who is No. 16 on that list. Iginla's total of 97 game- winners is good for a tie for eighth all- time with Guy Lafleur and one back of the Golden Jet.

3 ONE MORE FOR ORTIO

With four victories — plus one loser point — in a six- game stretch, it's no surprise the Flames will stick with netminder Joni Ortio against the Avalanche. His string of consecutive starts will end there, though. Flames head coach Bob Hartley revealed after Thursday's practice that 38- yearold Niklas Backstrom will be between the pipes for Sunday's road date with the Montreal Canadiens.

4 LANDESKOG REGRETS ‘ DUMB PLAY’

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog will be a spectator at the Saddledome, serving the final night of his three- game banishment for a cross- check to the neck of Ducks defenceman Simon Despres. “I was real embarrassed watching the tape,” Landeskog admitted after he was suspended. “It was just a really dumb play.”

5 THE LAST TIME THEY MET

These former Northwest Division foes have split a pair of meetings this season, both in the Mile High City. Jarome Iginla and Matt Duchene each potted a pair for the Avs in a 6- 3 victory in early November, while Flames goalie Karri Ramo — now out due to a knee injury — pitched a 26- save shutout as Calgary skated to a 4- 0 triumph in their first outing of 2016