There have been warning signs over the last five days.
Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Nashville Predators, a game to decide which team would finally climb above a .500 points percentage, was not a strong performance from the Calgary Flames.
Nor was Monday’s 5-1 loss to the red-hot Seattle Kraken. A game where the Flames managed to cling to a 1-1 tie heading into the third period before the flood gates opened in the form of four unanswered goals.
Derek Wills, Calgary’s radio play-by-play announcer for the Fan 960 put in his two cents on Flames Talk following the loss.
“And, I don’t know if your read is the same as mine, but there have been opportunities for full practices the last few days and there haven’t been any, which suggests to me, and no one said this to me, this is just me reading the tea leaves, that the coaches think the players are tired and need some rest. Well, no rest for the weary on this road trip.”
The two most recent losses are in the past. In the words of the Texas heavy metal band, Pantera: Yesterday don’t mean ****.
On the other side of the coin, maybe the more realistic side, the near future for the Calgary Flames looks rocky. All five teams that the Flames will face on this Eastern swing are currently on a hot streak. Let’s take a closer look at what’s on the menu this trip.
Jan. 7: The Montreal Canadiens
We start with the classic road game in Montreal. The Flames fly out on Tuesday and have a night in Montreal to get their bearings before things kick off.
Not good.
Then there are the Martin St. Louis coached upstart Canadiens, who have recorded only one regulation loss in their last nine games; a 6-1-2 record over that streak. The Habs have already beaten the Flames this season. A 2-1 overtime win in late October that took only one minute of the extra stanza to conclude.
Since their hot streak began on Dec. 18, the Canadiens have been rolling the second best offence in the NHL at 3.89 goals for per game. Did we mention that this game was the first half of a back-to-back?
Jan. 8: The Boston Bruins
Marco Sturm’s Bruins aren’t as hot as most of the teams on this road trip, but they do have two wins in a row and are due to beat the Flames. Calgary took round one 2-1 in OT on Dec. 29 and the wound is fresh.
There is a case to be made that the Bruins are the greatest threat of the trip. They’re just starting to get into a groove and have wins to rack up. Boston seems to carry an unspoken tradition of handing the Flames a heartbreaking loss once a year, and we are yet to see one this season.
Jan. 10: The Pittsburgh Penguins
A team that many expected to place dead last this season, Pittsburgh continues to surprise. The 20-12-8 Penguins are currently on a five-game winning streak. You can read more about what makes the Eastern Conference’s biggest surprise tick in Ryan Wilson’s piece below.
Wilson: Make It Five In A Row For The Penguins
Five wins in a row. Six wins in their last seven. Crosby has 12 points in those seven games. Former Flame Anthony Mantha has seven points in those games and will surely want to make a statement after leaving via unrestricted free agency last summer.
Good times.
Jan. 13: The Columbus Blue Jackets
4-1-1 in their last six games. On the back of 21-year-old defenceman Denton Mateychuk, of course, the Blue Jackets are heating up.
The 12th overall selection at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has eight points in his last six and ranks second on the team in ice time at 25:33 over that stretch. Hot-and-cold winger, Kirill Marchenko, has five goals in his last six. Columbus is rolling.
There is hope. The Blue Jackets most recently blew a late two-goal lead to lose in overtime to the (checks notes) Pittsburgh Penguins. Losses like that often kick-start cold streaks.
Jan. 15: The Chicago Blackhawks
The last opponent of the road trip, the Blackhawks have won rounds one and two against the Flames in 25-26.
HHS apologizes for the broken typewriter, but the Chicago Blackhawks also only have one regulation loss in their last six games. 4-1-1.
With Connor Bedard out, winger Tyler Bertuzzi has stepped up and led the offence with six goals and two assists in their last six games. With 22 already, the scrappy Subury, Ontario product currently projects for 43 goals this season.
Flames Road Trip From Hell
10-1-1. The combined record of all five upcoming road opponents of the Calgary Flames in the new year.
A tired Flames team crosses the continent, mind you going West to East is a lot more punishing than East to West, kicks off a back-to-back after a night off in Montreal.
Five games in eight days.
Since the second month of Ryan Huska’s era of Calgary Flames hockey, the team has carried an us against them mentality. Back to wall after October and they fight their way up the standings. Unlikely comeback wins, never being told the odds; both part of the current identity.
This upcoming road trip could be another rally point, but after two unconvincing losses and and fatigue already contributing to Calgary’s 5-13-3 start to the season; don’t get your hopes up.
Stats courtesy of the American Hockey League.
KEEP READING:
Tap of the Stick, Whack of the Pads: Flames Call Up William Stromgren
How Sustainable is the Calgary Flames Current Hot Streak?
Pacific Division: A Holiday Gift for Each Team
Into the Crevasse – Brzustewicz – Scheduling Misplay of the Year
Who Are The NHL’s Fastest And Slowest Teams?
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Thanks Trevor.
Best thing that could happen to us fans, is for the Flames to go 0-5 on this road trip.
We desperately need some high end young talent, it’s the only thing a knowledgeable fan should cheer for.
Huberdon’t needs a kick in the ass, show some pride man! Maybe we can leave him behind in Montreal. 😊
What’s up with Kadri? Mr Invisible, maybe the season is finally getting to him? Trade him while he still has value.
Andersson has played his best for the Flames this year. Contract years are motivational for many players. I like Ras but he needs to go, time to cash in. Play Parekh with Bahl for the rest of the year, he needs to play in the top 4 to be effective and learn the NHL game.
Zary needs a more consistent role. He’s been better of late but fans are turning on him. He was one of the most exciting players last year and this year he’s getting the Sam Bennett treatment.
Need to change the leadership voice in the dressing room. Tanking is for losers but so is not having a vision.
Management keeps talking about building a culture but the only one I see is a losing one.
Well my rant is done for now.
Flames fan since 1980, season ticket holder for the first 5 years, til I moved from Calgary.
I agree with all of that. Could see Huby and Kadri firing up right as Backs and Coleman cool down. Gotta score two goals a game somehow!
0-5 at least picks a direction. Last place is very attainable. I bet Winnipeg pulls out of their spiral fairly soon.
Tough to say with Zary.. Moved up to Kadri’s line to no result last game. Looks like he’s banged up..
Where’s Duran?