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Shane Doan is on a stunning scoring tear. What's much more surprising, and certainly more important, is the Arizona Coyotes' dominance of Pacific Division rivals.
Doan looks to continue his impressive production as the Coyotes try to beat the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome for the first time in almost four years Thursday night. The game can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Doan's 383 career goals are a Coyotes franchise record, and his 919 points are 10 back of the team mark held by Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk.
The 39-year-old captain appeared to be slowing down last season with 14 goals, but he's already surpassed that total with a team-high 15. Nine of those have come in the last seven games, including seven in the past four after he tallied twice in Monday's 3-2 win at Vancouver.
"The greatest thing about 'Doaner' when he scores is his smile," coach Dave Tippett said. "He loves to score ... He's having fun playing, and I think some of this youth around our team has made him feel youthful also."
The Coyotes (19-16-4) have had a lot to smile about. They're second in the division after finishing with the fewest points in the Western Conference last season, and they've gone 8-1-2 against the Pacific.
Arizona, which went 12-17-0 within the division last season, beat the Flames 2-1 in overtime at home on Nov. 27 to end a five-game skid in the series.
The Coyotes haven't won at Calgary, however, since Feb. 23, 2012, going 0-7-1 in their last eight visits.
The Flames (19-18-2) are two points behind Arizona, thanks in large part to their dominance at home. They've won 12 of their last 14 there after Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay.
"As a team, we're playing a lot better than the start of the year," goaltender Karri Ramo said. "That's why we're having success. Everybody's chipping in, doing their things."
That's certainly true for Ramo, who should get the nod for an 11th straight game Thursday after stopping 56 of 57 shots to win his last two. He's 9-4-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average in 13 games since making 19 saves at Arizona.
That's a tremendous improvement after he posted a 4.43 GAA while losing four of his first five starts -- a stretch that included a demotion to the minors.
"He went down, he was not happy, he came back and right from there he started to work," coach Bob Hartley said. "He's probably been one of the best goalies in the league."
Ramo is 4-0-1 with a 1.38 GAA in five career starts against the Coyotes.
Johnny Gaudreau leads the Flames with 17 goals and 39 points, but he has no points in four straight games to match his longest drought of the season.
The Coyotes are expected to have Martin Hanzal back after he missed seven games with a lower-body injury. Of the center's 20 points, 15 have come on the road. He had a goal against the Flames in November.
He's slated to join Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder on a line.
"I think me and 'Dukey' and Marty have great chemistry," Rieder said.
