(My Sportsbook) - The first-place Calgary Flames will try to win for just the second time in six games when they host the Dallas Stars tonight at the Saddledome.

The Flames are first in the Northwest Division and third in the Western Conference with 86 points on the year, but have lost four of their last five games. Vancouver is second in the Northwest and is currently just three points in back of the Flames.

Calgary has not just been losing lately, but has suffered a series of defensive meltdowns in the process. The Flames have surrendered a total of 27 goals over their past five games and only allowed less than five scores in one game during that stretch.

The Flames gave up eight goals in their latest game, as they dropped Saturday's 8-6 decision in Toronto. Mikhail Grabovski had two goals and an assist to lead the Maple Leafs and spoil a three-goal, five-point effort from Olli Jokinen.

Jokinen continued his torrid pace since being acquired by Calgary from Phoenix at the trading deadline with his sixth career hat trick and second this season. The Finnish pivot now has eight goals in six games since joining the club.

Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf each posted a goal and two helpers for the Flames, who ended a season-high seven-game road trip with a 3-4-0 record.

Curtis Glencross added a goal and assist and Adrian Aucoin posted three helpers for the Flames.

Miikka Kiprusoff was beaten six times on 22 shots before being lifted early in the third for Curtis McElhinney, who made six saves the rest of the way.

The Flames are kicking off a three-game homestand tonight and have an impressive 22-8-4 mark as the host this season.

Dallas, meanwhile, had a two-game winning streak halted on Tuesday night, as it lost in Vancouver. Mats Sundin and Ryan Kesler both registered a goal and an assist, as the Canucks doubled up the Stars, 4-2, at General Motors Place.

Steve Ott and Stephane Robidas found the net for Dallas, which has dropped three of its last five games. Marty Turco took the loss with a 21-save performance.

Dallas did welcome back forward Jere Lehtinen back after he had missed the previous six games with an upper-body injury. Brad Richards is also nearing a return from a broken wrist, but is expected to miss his 15th straight game with the injury tonight. However, Richards could be back in the lineup for Saturday's game against San Jose.

The Stars have 74 points on the year and come into tonight trailing Edmonton and Nashville by a single point for the final two postseason berths in the West. Dallas is also tied with Minnesota for the ninth seed.

Dallas is playing the middle segment of a three-game road trip that is scheduled to end Saturday at San Jose. The Stars are 14-16-4 as the guest this year and have lost two straight and three of four away from Big D.

The Stars are 2-0 against Calgary this season, winning by a 3-1 score on separate occasions at home and on the road. Dallas has taken four of five and six of eight overall in the series and has won three straight and six of nine at the Saddledome.