Nazem Kadri is a key offensive driver on a low-scoring Calgary Flames squad, making him a vital asset to the current group. However, the conversation surrounding Kadri and his potential departure from the team goes far beyond his on-ice contributions this season.

The Calgary Flames are in an odd spot heading into the trade deadline. Under general manager (GM) Craig Conroy’s guidance, this season was supposed to be the start of a rebuild for the organization.

Kadri scored a goal and added an assist in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Flyers. After lighting the lamp in the first period, Kadri fed Matthew Coronato for an empty-netter late in the third. Kadri has been on a roll since the beginning of February,

The Stars are also stingy at American Airlines Center and allow the fourth-fewest goals per game (2.32) while pacing the NHL with an 87.7 penalty-kill percentage. Dallas starter Jake Oettinger has also been better on home ice with a .918 SV% and 2.18 GAA compared to respective .901 and 2.82 marks on the highway.

Connor Zary scored twice and Nazem Kadri had a goal in a 1:52 stretch midway through the first period for a three-goal lead and the Calgary Flames beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 on Tuesday night.

Kadri scored a power-play goal in Sunday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Hurricanes. Kadri found the back of the net midway through the third period to even things up for the Flames in what turned out to be a low-scoring affair. The veteran winger has two goals and two assists in five games since the league resumed following the 4 Nations break.

"That was a huge fourth goal by Sharky there. Obviously, they had a little momentum, scoring a couple in a row, and that settled us right back down. When we have that scoring throughout our lineup, we’re going to be a tough team to beat."

Management’s confidence in its surprising team is warranted, based on its play this season. Calgary enters its game at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSUN, SNP, SNW) trailing the Vancouver Canucks by one point for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.

Thursday, 6 p.m. MT, American Airlines Center TV: Sportsnet One. Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan Odds: Flames +220, Stars -275 The buzz It’s their final stop on their longest road trip of the season. It’s their final outing before the NHL’s trade deadline .

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

Sam Ersson was replaced by Ivan Fedotov after allowing three first period goals. Flyers' Andrei Kuzmenko scored against his former team, while former Flyer Morgan Frost picked up two assists.

"I'm gonna flush it down the toilet," John Tortorella said of the Flyers' loss to Calgary. With the trade deadline looming and narrow postseason hopes still in play, there's no time to dwell.