The Calgary Flames made big moves well ahead of the NHL trade deadline, and more are likely be coming A big page has been turned, both on the season and with the Calgary Flames. The number of Calgary’s top-name pending unrestricted free agents was whittled down by one with last week’s trade that sent Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, with winger Andrei Kuzmenko [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/news/calgary-flames-gm-craig-conroy-signals-hes-open-for-business-with-big-trade-weeks-ahead-of-deadline] the lone current NHLer coming in return. The Flames have mixed up their forward lines even more by summoning from the minors Jakob Pelletier and Kevin Rooney — who both suffered shoulder injuries in the pre-season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/news/up-and-coming-forward-jakob-pelletier-back-with-the-calgary-flames-after-a-strong-ahl-stint] that required surgery — as well as Cole Schwindt, plus added by waivers defenceman Brayden Pachal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/news/calgary-flames-nab-much-needed-defensive-depth-by-claiming-brayden-pachal-from-the-vegas-golden-knights]. Calgary’s return to action following the all-star break with a difficult four-game road trip, starting with a tough tilt against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. The March 8 trade deadline is also four-plus weeks away, too. The Flames (22-22-5, 49 points) have playoff hopes, but those could be on life support before we know it. Before we get to that point, and the trade deadline, let’s look at the coming week’s opponents for a Flames team already sporting a new look. Tuesday: At Boston Bruins (31-9-9, 71 points) Talk about a tough start to the post-break schedule. The Flames open against the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins, who went into the break having won seven of eight outings. This was supposed to be a big-time step-back season for the Bruins after losing two of their best centres, but led by David Pastrnak (32 goals, 72 points), Brad Marchand (24 goals) and Charlie Coyle (12 points in a career-best eight-game streak) at forward and defenceman Charlie McAvoy (seven goals, 33 points), the Bruins are doing just fine. The Flames had best be ready at puck drop; Boston has outscored opponents 53-29 in the first period. Thanks to a top-five power play, top-10 penalty kill, the Bruins are fourth in goals-against-per-game, sixth in goals-for-per-game and enjoying a 12-2-3 run. Thursday: at New Jersey Devils (24-20-3, 51 points) The Devils, who open a homestand Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche, had high hopes going into the campaign after making the playoffs last season, but are actually further outside a playoff spot (seven points) than the Flames (five points). New Jersey boasts only three wins in its last 10 games (3-6-1). Injuries have been a massive issue, with defenceman Dougie Hamilton and forward Jack Hughes among those on the shelf. Hughes may face Calgary. New Jersey is a top-10 team in scoring, but 29th in the league in goals-against-per-game — one of the reasons rumours abound of the Devils eying up Flames defenceman Chris Tanev and goalie Jacob Markstrom. The Devils have scored first in only 13 of their 47 games (worst in the NHL), yet managed to win a league-best 15 times when allowing the first goal. Calgary has won 10 times when surrendering the first goal. Former Flames forward Tyler Toffoli is at 21 goals this season, five in the last four games. The Devils won the first meeting this season, a 4-2 game at the Saddledome in early December. Saturday: at New York Islanders (21-17-12, 54 points) After beating the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Islanders are two points out of a playoff position. Being in the fight is impressive considering the Islanders are 24th in both goals-for and goals-against per game, although they are struggling with only three victories in their last 12 games (3-7-2). The Islanders, who are being outshot on average by nearly five shots per game, has suffered a league-most 12 extra-time losses and hold the league-worst penalty kill at 72.4%. It’s not all doom and gloom for the team that also faces the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday before playing host to the Flames. Noah Dobson is having a breakout campaign with 52 points, although it’s not a great sign when your defenceman is among both Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat in the points race. Since Patrick Roy took over as head coach following the firing of Lane Lambert, New York has a 2-2-1 record. The Islanders won the first meeting this season, a 5-4 shootout game in Calgary on Nov. 18, which snapped a seven-game losing skid.
