Preview: Flames at Canadiens MONTREAL (Interstat) — The Montreal Canadiens look to continue their push up the standings when they host the struggling Calgary Flames at Bell Centre on Wednesday night. Montreal (23-19-0) enters on a strong run, having earned points in seven of its last 10 games (7-3-0), including a 4-3 overtime victory at Dallas on Sunday. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson was pivotal in that win, scoring a goal and adding an assist. The 21-year-old has been a dynamic offensive force from the blue line, recording three goals and 11 assists over his last 10 contests. Calgary (18-23-0) aims to halt a two-game skid after a 4-3 home loss to Nashville on Saturday. Despite the team’s inconsistencies, defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been a bright spot, registering two goals and an assist in his last three games. He scored in the loss to the Predators. The Canadiens hold a five-point edge over the Flames in the overall standings and won the season’s first meeting 2-1 in overtime in Calgary on Oct. 22. Montreal’s recent success has been fueled by balanced scoring and timely goaltending, while Calgary has struggled to find consistency, going 5-5-0 in its last 10. Montreal’s top line of Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield will challenge a Flames defense that has allowed 3.27 goals per game. Calgary will need its top scorers, including Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau, to break through against a Canadiens team that has been stout at home, posting a 13-7-0 record at Bell Centre. This matchup opens a critical four-game road trip for the Flames, who face Boston next on Thursday. The Canadiens begin a brief two-game homestand before hosting Florida on Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.