Calgary Flames Roundtable: The bye-week blues

Question two: Last season, the Flames won four of their last five before bye-week, but came back and lost 5-0 to the Arizona Coyotes. Do you think there’s a big chance they may have a blowout loss on Saturday vs. the Jets?

Jonathan Boulanger

Yes. Like I said, teams tend to lose ground in the standings coming out of breaks, especially the Flames. It’s really disappointing considering that they have been playing at such an elite level lately, but Saturday against the Jets could provide a bump in the road for a team that looks like they can do no wrong lately. It will be a true test of consistency and if they pass it, they truly will be on the road to establishing themselves as an elite team in the NHL.

Ian Gustafson

Well, there is always a chance. The Winnipeg Jets are second in the Central Division and a very good high scoring team with the most goals for (153) in the western conference. Although I don’t see this happening with the way they have both been playing, I expect a close game.

Tom Oppolzer

Anything is possible but I don’t buy too much into the rust argument,  if they get blown out by Winnipeg it’ll be because Winnipeg is a really good team in their own right. That said, if you do buy the rust argument you can rest easy because Winnipeg is also on their bye week. Last season Arizona had played two nights prior to that game so they were more in “game shape”, Winnipeg will be in the same situation as Calgary.

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Benjamin Prokopy

Yes.

I hate the bye week.  Not only does it prevent me from watching my favourite team for a week out of the season, but is a roadblock to momentum for every single team.  Sure, every player tries to stay active.  I imagine they skate informally.

But a season in any sport has a rhythm that a player gets accustomed to.  The cycle between practices, games, travel, nutrition, and rest is just as important to a hockey player as any skill.  Take that away for 5 days and the player is affected.  There is time required before he can regain that momentum again.

It is that loss of momentum that cost the team last year against the Coyotes.  And it is that same loss of momentum that will cost them against the Jets.

It is possible that, because Winnipeg is a far superior team to Arizona, the Flames will come more mentally prepared than they would have last year.  I hope that’s the case.  Because their bodies will simply not be ready.

Dan Raicevich

Negative. I don’t think the Flames will be blown out on Hockey Day in Canada against the Jets.

Remember, the NHL made rule changes to the bye weeks so that teams cannot play their first game back off a bye week against a team who wasn’t on their bye week. The Jets have had a bye week as well, and therefore they are going to be dealing with the same adversity.

But, unlike the Flames who can sleep in their own beds, the Jets are travelling and making the short plane ride West, so give the upper hand to the Flames

Ramina Shlah

I actually didn’t realize that the Jets were also on their bye-week (thanks Dan), so this makes me feel a little better. And while they’ve been great, since the start of 2018, they haven’t been incredible. Their special teams, however, have been quite good in their six games before the bye-week, which may be of concern, but the Calgary Flames’ special teams have also been quite good. So this could be anyone’s game. While I don’t think it’ll be a blowout loss, if the Flames do lose, I’m anticipating a one-goal game.