The Calgary Flames return to action after a brief holiday pause by hitting the road. With four points up for grabs while still in a tight race for the wildcard, the stakes are getting higher.
The Flames start with a matchup against Pacific Division rival San Jose Sharks. Calgary is 7-3 against the Sharks in their last 10, and has had recent success against them. With 2024 first-overall draft pick Macklin Celebrini atop the Calder race, the Flames shouldn’t take this team lightly.
The Flames also have a potential Calder finalist in goaltender Dustin Wolf, and will look to hold the young and hungry Sharks team off despite the Flames’ own struggles on the road so far this season.
Jonathan Huberdeau will be looking to extend his hot streak with 13 points in his last 10 games.
The Sharks are currently at the bottom of the Pacific, so the Flames could leave San Jose with two points if they play to their potential.
After playing a bottom-feeder in their first game back, the heat will quickly be turned up on the Flames as they head to Vegas on Sunday. The Vegas Golden Knights are the opposite of the Sharks and are at the top of their division.
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In their last 10 against the Knights, the Flames are 5-3-2. With mixed results recently, they’ll need their best game to come out with a victory. The Flames are facing old teammate Noah Hanifin, who was extended by Vegas after he was traded there by GM Craig Conroy at the NHL trade deadline last season.
Vegas is currently fourth in the league in scoring with 3.50 goals per game. With it being a back-to-back, both goalies should see action. It will be curious to see which game the Flames’ Dan Vladar gets from Head Coach Ryan Huska. With Wolf being 3-1 against the Sharks, Vladar may get the harder assignment against the Knights. Whichever goaltender is in the crease in the back half, the Flames will need a nearly perfect game to ensure a coveted two points.
Four points in a two-game road trip are always huge, but even more so against two division rivals. Points won’t come easy at this time of year as teams fight to stay in the playoff race.
