Calgary Flames Daily: First game back after bye-week

After having five days off, the Calgary Flames go back in action tonight vs. the Winnipeg Jets where they’ll look to increase their win streak.

It’s FINALLY game day! The Calgary Flames will be playing the Winnipeg Jets tonight where they’ll look to increase their win streak to eight games. They’re currently on a seven-game win streak, a season-high for them and the longest active win streak in the NHL. They also remain one of two teams undefeated in 2018 so far.

Unlike last season, this year, teams coming back from bye-week will only play other teams also playing in their first game post bye-week. So the Jets have also had five days off. This could be a blessing or a curse. Last season, the Flames were starting to get their momentum back before bye-week, but after bye-week, they lost 5-0 to the Arizona Coyotes.

But soon after, they started their ten-game win streak. So who knows what’s in store for this team. A win tonight could signify moving to the second Pacific Division spot. After five days off and their Pacific Division rivals still playing, the Flames remain in a good spot still. They’re third in the Pacific Division with 54 points in 45 games. Tied for points with the San Jose Sharks, but the Sharks have a game on hand. They’re also one point ahead of the LA Kings with one game on hand and one point ahead of the Anaheim Ducks with two games on hand. They’re in a good spot within their division.

Related Story: Flames head into bye-week on seven-game win streak

Let’s hope they can keep that up.

And as much as fans dislike bye-week since it’s five days without watching their teams play, it’s definitely a good rest for the players.

Via Calgary Flames:

“We have a summer home, two hours from Lake of the Woods,” reported Travis Hamonic of his mandated mini-break as per the CBA. “We own 10 acres up there.“The good thing is they always say ‘bye week’ but it was really only four days. It is nice, though, not to have a couple days when you’re not feeling you’d been hit by a truck.“So my wife and I went back to our property, did a lot of ice-fishing, Ski-Doo-ing. Minus-40.“My kind of break.“It was welcome. But I’m ready for some hockey.”“When you’re rolling the way we were, it’s probably best to keep playing games.” acknowledged centre Matt Stajan. “But, at the same time, we knew our schedule.“The mindset was to go into the break feeling good about ourselves and playing well. We accomplished that. Now we’ve got to regroup.“These are four big games before the all-star break. Before, we only had the Christmas and all-starbreaks. For years. So this is new for everybody.“As players, the schedule’s a grind. So when you can take a break, mental as much as physical – just to get away for a little while – it’s important.“Nobody’s complaining. You take the time off when you can.”

The Flames penalty-killing has been one of the best in 2018 and, while their powerplay hasn’t been incredible, it’s definitely improving. A strong powerplay and the Calgary Flames can really take off these last few months in the regular season.

Hockey Tweet of the day

Some links surrounding the Flames

Flames aim to maintain momentum, extend win streak after bye (Calgary Sun).

Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames: NHL Odds, Prediction (Sports Interaction).

In Calgary, Flames’ recipe uses homegrown ingredients (The Globe and Mail).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Ownership group takes next step in bringing the NHL to Seattle (FanSided).

Hockey world loses a true legend with passing of Red Fisher (The Hockey News).

Trio of all-Canadian matchups highlight Saturday’s NHL betting action (Sportsnet).

Next: Flames Roundtable - Bye-week blues

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!