Falling to 8-2-1, the overtime loss to Buffalo barely put a dent in the Calgary Flames’ record in the first game of back-to-backs.
The 1-0 home defeat to the Sabres marked the first time Calgary lost the opening game of a back-to-back set since falling 4-1 to Tampa Bay on Jan. 6. Since then, the Flames have won five straight in the opening game, all of which on home ice.
Last night’s defeat also marked the first time the Flames lost at home in the opening game of back-to-backs. Even after the disappointing loss, the Flames’ impressive 8-2-1 record in the opening game set them up perfectly for the subsequent evening’s action.
Darryl Sutter’s team has outscore the opposition 36 to 18 in the 11 games to open a back-to-back set. That lopsided ratio has allowed the Flames to see out games in the most efficient manner, ensuring they have enough left in the tank to worry opponents on the following evening.
Calgary goes into tonight’s tilt with Vancouver with a 6-5 record on the second night of back-to-back sets. When considering how much hockey the Flames have played recently, I’m sure Sutter won’t be too concerned with his team’s above-average record in such difficult circumstances.
It’s crucial the Flames score the first goal in Vancouver tonight, even more so after losing last night. Fatigue will start become more of an factor in the latter stages of the game, putting more pressure on the away team to start quickly.
7-5 in the second game of back-to-back sets sounds dramatically better than 6-6, and hopefully that’s what we’ll be discussing when the dust settles on the west coast later this evening. That winning outcome, however, is entirely predicated on how Calgary acquits themselves from the opening face off.