Five-game road swing off the hop one of several notable aspects to Calgary's 2023-24 campaign
Whatever the new-look Calgary Flames ice for a roster, their schedule for the upcoming season has an early make-it-or-break it scenario.
After opening the 2023-24 campaign at home versus the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 11, the Flames embark on a five-game trip when they meet the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings.
That trip is a golden chance for the new faces to bond, so long as they don’t fall behind the pace.
The schedule has its share of interesting notes.
Four instalments in the Battle of Alberta are slated, the first on Oct. 29 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton for the Heritage Classic.
Calgary also has four meetings with division rivals Vancouver Canucks, Seattle Kraken, Los Angeles Kings and Stanley Cup-champion Vegas Golden Knights. Calgary meets the other Pacific Division squads — San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks — three times.
Expect to see Connor Bedard, likely to be chosen first overall in today’s draft, and the Chicago Blackhawks are to visit Calgary for a Hockey Night in Canada clash on Saturday, Jan. 27.
The Toronto Maple Leafs visit Jan. 18 and Montreal Canadiens are in town March 16. Calgary will host the Philadelphia Flyers on New Year’s Eve.
The Flames have a pair of six-game home stands this season, one in late November through early December and the other in the second half of January.