Flame for Thought
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Sweet revenge against Canucks sets Flames up perfectly for home stand

By Gary Pearson

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 19: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Calgary Flames celebrates with teammates Dillon Dube #29 and Mikael Backlund #11 after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period in NHL action on March, 19, 2022 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 19: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Calgary Flames celebrates with teammates Dillon Dube #29 and Mikael Backlund #11 after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period in NHL action on March, 19, 2022 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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The Flames scored three first period goals and jumped out to the perfect start against Vancouver on Saturday, setting them up perfectly for their upcoming home stand. 

I’m not sure what Darryl Sutter says or does in the locker room prior to the opening face off. He has seemingly perfected his pre-game routine, ensuring his team rockets out of the gates. Maybe he doesn’t do anything at all, such is the abundance of leadership presence Calgary currently has on its roster.

The Flames three-goal first period outburst wasn’t an unusual occurrence. Sutter’s team has scored 73 goals in the opening frame, the third most in the NHL.

Only Toronto (75) and Florida (83) has more first-period goals, a key variable of the Flames’ success this season. Calgary plays superbly with the lead and rarely allows the opposition any chance of overcoming a deficit.

The convincing win on 5-2 win on Saturday was sweet revenge for Calgary’s previous trip to Vancouver, when they were soundly beaten 7-1, a loss that also prevented the Flames from breaking a franchise win-streak record.

That’s all in the past now, with the Flames’ undivided attention firmly on the forthcoming six-game home stand, the longest remaining string of uninterrupted contests at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Flames have a commanding eight-point lead atop the Pacific Division with 20 left to play. Los Angeles, Edmonton and Vegas are jostling for second spot. Calgary plays the Kings and the Oilers in the upcoming home stand, providing another excellent opportunity to further increase the gap atop the division.

And by the way they’re playing at home, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Flames come out of this six-game stretch with at least a 10-point buffer going into the final stretch of the campaign.

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