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Calgary’s not exactly going all out to win tonight in Nashville

Sven Baertschi

Calgary Flames’ Sven Baertschi, from Switzerland, waits for a face off during first-period NHL hockey game action against the Winnepeg Jets in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, March 9, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

AP

The Calgary Flames are going with a decidedly young lineup tonight when they visit the Predators in Nashville.

Names include: Carter Bancks (age 23, making his NHL debut), Mark Cundari (23), Sven Baertschi (20), Max Reinhart (21), Roman Horak (21), Akim Aliu (23), Paul Byron (23), and Ben Hanowski (22).

“It will be to see who’s going to step up,” head coach Bob Hartley said, per the Calgary Sun. “Most of the young players have been with us for a few weeks, and some have just arrived from AHL Abbotsford. But many of them have played a game or two before, so they know what to expect.

“It’s kind of one of the final exams.”

And if the young guys fail the exam, oh well, at least it won’t hurt the Flames’ draft position anymore than it’s already been hurt lately.

You’ll be excused if you haven’t noticed, but Calgary has actually been playing well lately. The Flames have won five of their last six, pushing them up to 24th overall in the standings.

Standings

Related: NHL Draft lottery set for Apr. 29, all non-playoff teams eligible for No. 1 pick