The Calgary Flames' Week Ahead: Three Tough Opponents Amidst A Losing Skid

Clashes with top-heavy clubs Winnipeg, Boston and Edmonton will make turning their fortunes a Herculean effort for the Flames

Amazing how things can change in seven days. One week ago, the Calgary Flames were riding a four-game winning streak and feeling their playoff hopes were alive thanks to road victories over the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.

Now, the Flames are on a three-game losing skid — two on home ice against the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings — and the trade rumours are amping up while those playoff hopes are flickering.

When the Flames reached their season’s midway point, they were at the NHL’s version of .500. As they prepare to play host to the Winnipeg Jets Monday afternoon, they’re back to the NHL’s version of .500, sitting ninth from the bottom of the league and five points back of the St. Louis Blues for the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot, with three other teams in between.

The Flames (25-25-5, 55 points) can say all they want that the trade talk has not affected their play, but it’s only human nature to be impacted. That trade chatter, especially around goalie Jacob Markstrom and defencemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev will only become louder between now and the March 8 trade deadline.

For now, though, let’s look at the opposition this week.

Monday: versus Winnipeg Jets (33-14-5, 71 points)

The Jets arrive in Calgary for an afternoon clash having pulled out of a (0-4-1) tailspin and riding a three-game winning streak that was capped by a 4-2 victory over the league-leading Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Winnipeg is in a thrilling dogfight for top spot in the Central Division and back to success in huge part thanks to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has surrendered three goals against in this three-game run.

In Vancouver, Calgary’s old friend Sean Monahan notched his first goal, in fact his first point, since being traded to Winnipeg from the Montreal Canadiens. He was held off the scoresheet the first four outings with the Jets.

If Winnipeg has one area of concern, it’s special teams, but the 26th-ranked power play struck twice in Vancouver and the Canucks were blanked with four chances.

Calgary has won three of the last four meetings, including a 5-3 victory in the season opener. The Flames and Jets clash one last time this season in Winnipeg on April 4.

Thursday: versus Boston Bruins (32-12-11, 75 points)

The Bruins will likely be happy to hit the road because their lengthy post-all-star break homestand has been a dud, with their latest disappointment Saturday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The Bruins have a 1-3-2 mark during this stint in Beantown, with one last home clash to go, Monday against the Dallas Stars. Calgary’s 4-1 victory kicked off that swoon.

The Bruins, who have fallen behind the Florida Panthers for top spot in the Atlantic Division, open their road swing in Edmonton on Wednesday before coming to the Stampede City. Shockingly, the Bruins have the second-most number of extra-time losses (behind only the New York Islanders).

Considering all the attention surrounding Flames defenceman Noah Hanifin and his ties to Boston, this game could have some extra flavour.

Saturday: at Edmonton Oilers (32-18-1, 65 points)

That 16-game winning streak is firmly in the past and the Oilers have followed that run with a lose-one, win-one run their past half-dozen games. That said, their offensive skill can is nice to have, and they showed it again in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Dallas Stars, a game in which the Oilers trailed 3-1 early in the second period.

Connor McDavid is on another roll — 10 points in three games, and this will be a chance for Corey Perry to re-introduce himself to the Flames.

This is the lone road game for Calgary before another three-game homestand. The Oilers have won both meetings this season and claimed the last four Battle of Alberta tilts. They meet for the last time in Calgary on April 6.