"It seems every time we play them, they're geared up and so are we," head coach Glen Gulutzan summarized. "Every game has been a tight game and a contested game ... they're not easy games.

They would probably fall well down the list of Calgary's chief rivals but this season has featured three heated battles between the Flames and Coyotes, full of discord, animosity and rancor.

The Vancouver Canucks have become one of the Flames' top enemies over the years as well, thanks to the cities' proximity to one another and recent playoff battles.

The storied Battle of Alberta has been seething for decades, with the bad blood beginning in the '80's and carrying through to today's match-ups.

CALGARY, AB -- When you think of the Calgary Flames rivals, the first team that comes to mind is the Edmonton Oilers.

The Flames have taken the first three match-ups in the five-game season series against the Coyotes, outscoring Arizona 8-4 in the process. All three of those contests have come in the last 46 days, which has played a part in the ever-developing rivalry.

"We played each other a lot to start (the year), I think that's the main thing," Mark Giordano stated. "The other thing is that every game is so close.

"They're a tough team to play against. They're chippy. They don't give you much through the neutral zone. It gets pretty heated out there and we're expecting more of the same."

The last time the two clubs met, back on Dec. 19 in Glendale, they combined for 36 penalty minutes and 54 hits. Garnet Hathaway, who tossed two checks in that 4-2 Flames win, expects the exact same type of game tonight.

"They're definitely gritty and they're good at clogging up the neutral zone. That's one thing we really have to work on tonight, not losing any battles - they're good on the transition. We keep it deep and we'll be good."

On Dec. 19, it was goaltender Brian Elliott picking up the victory, making 25 saves on 27 shots at the Gila River Arena. He will be back in net tonight and heads into the contest on a three-game winning streak.

"His game is building," Gulutzan said. "We've talked about this from the day we've had Ells, is how hard he works in practice and how professional he is.

"Now he's got his game going. For awhile there, he didn't play for a period of time ... He's got some games in, he's got some minutes in, he's got some good practices in. It will be a good night for him."