Derek Smith (27) celebrates with TJ Brodie (7), and Jarome Iginla (12) after notching his first NHL career goal. Brodie and Iginla picked up the assists.

There's nothing better in hockey than a perfectly timed slap pass.

That's how Derek Smith will remember his first career NHL goal. A redirect off a TJ Brodie "shot" from the point. It turned out to be the game winner as well, as the Calgary Flames eeked out a 1-0 win over the Nashville Predators Tuesday night.

Miikka Kiprusoff turned away 26 shots for the win. The shutout was Kipper's first of the season, and 41st of his career.

The game came at a bit of a cost to the team, as Mark Giordano, one of the league's best shot blockers, took a Matt Halischuk wrist shot off the ankle, and had to be helped off the ice. It's unknown at this time if the injury is directly related to the blocked shot, but Giordano did not return to the ice, and the team is classifying the situation as a lower body injury.

Christ Butler had to take some time for repairs Tuesday night as well, as a Nashville shot deflected off his stick, striking him in the face. He missed a portion of the 1st period, but was back on the bench by the time the 2nd period started.

The Flames host the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night at the Saddledome. The "Bugs" currently sit in last place in the NHL with 15 points in 24 games this season. The Blue Jackets do hold a victory over the Flames this season, back on November 21st, as they notched a 4-1 win in Columbus. This will be the 2nd of 4 games between the two teams this season.