Left wing Rene Bourque has developed chemistry with Jarome Iginla and Matt Stajan. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Calgary Flames play the first of two big games in six days against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday.

Calgary (32-24-9) is one point behind Detroit (31-22-12) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Both clubs have 17 games to play, so there's plenty of time for significant movement in the standings. Still, the game may play a crucial role in deciding which of the two teams qualifies for the post-season.

With a victory, the Flames will not only leap ahead of the Wings but also hold a two-win advantage over Detroit, the first tiebreaker if needed.

The teams will meet again at the Saddledome in Calgary on March 15.

Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff will be back Tuesday at the site where he made 40 saves for a shutout on Nov. 27 in a 3-0 victory.

Kiprusoff was given a day off on Sunday, with backup Vesa Toskala earning his first win in a Calgary uniform in a 5-2 victory, the second straight game the Flames potted five goals.

The Flames came out with two quick goals and then put the game away with two power-play goals and an empty netter, all scored by Jarome Iginla.

Iginla — who hadn't scored in his last 10 games against the Wild — notched his 10th career hat trick as the Flames rebounded from being blanked by Minnesota in their previous meeting.

Linemate Rene Bourque had a goal and three assists, with Matt Stajan earning two assists.

The Flames captain acknowledged it was a big game for his line, but was quick to credit all the forward lines, pointing to the previous game, where five separate players scored to beat the New Jersey Devils.

"The play of the team is contagious, we're all taking it upon ourselves to create a little bit more," said Iginla.

Steve Staios notched his first point as a member of the Flames after coming over last week in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Red Wings, too, have poured in five goals in each of their last two games.

Detroit's goal output came entirely in the second period on Sunday, allowing them to hold off the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4.

Brian Rafalski, Valtteri Filppula and Niklas Lidstrom all scored and had an assist, with Pavel Datysuk and Jason Williams adding the other goals. Jimmy Howard made 28 saves for his 24th win of the season.

The Red Wings have won four of their last five, and health is a key reason. The return of Williams and Tomas Holmstrom just before the Olympic break gives the Wings a full complement of forwards as they go for their first three-game win streak since December.

Before their next encounter with the Red Wings, Calgary will host Ottawa on Thursday and then visit Vancouver to take on the Canucks Sunday.

The Flames are out of town on Tuesday, but there will be a big team event taking place in Calgary. Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada will be among those on hand for the Lanny McDonald Roast at the Westin Hotel, with proceeds going to charity.