Expect Flames' rivalries to blaze again in North Division
O Canada.
And ho ho ho, Canada. Christmas arrived a couple of days early for Calgary Flames fans, with Wednesday's reveal of the schedule for the upcoming campaign. We already knew the Flames would be skating strictly against the six other Canadian clubs in the NHL'S North Division. Now, you can mark the exact dates on your calendar.
The Flames open with a one-off to Winnipeg for a Jan. 14 clash, but the rest of a baseball-style slate often includes three or even four in a row against the same opponent. There will be, for example, little love lost as the Flames and Vancouver Canucks face off four times over a oneweek span around Valentine's Day. The Saddledome opener is set for Jan. 16, the first of 10 encounters with the Canucks.
VS. EDMONTON OILERS
Flames' home games: Feb. 6, 19; March 15, 17; May 7
Flames' road games: Feb. 20; March 6; April 2, 29; May 1
Flames' record in head-to-head matchups in 2019-20: 3-1
Flames' all-time record in headto-head matchups: 122-96-18-6
Calgary's leaders against Oilers in 2019-20: Elias Lindholm scored five of his team-topping 29 goals against the arch-enemies from Edmonton, while Andrew Mangiapane notched six points in these emotional meetings and Matthew Tkachuk had 22 penalty minutes.
Sexy storyline: The Battle of Alberta was rekindled last winter, making this appointment viewing for not only folks in the Wild Rose Province, but fans all across the NHL. Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk and Edmonton's Zack Kassian headlined the hostilities in 2019-20, but they were not the only guys feeling the hatred. Sub-plot: For Calgary's revamped blue-line brigade, this could be the ultimate challenge. The Oilers employ the best player in the world in Connor Mcdavid, plus the reigning Hart Trophy winner in Leon Draisaitl. Gulp.
VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Flames' home games: Jan. 16, 18; Feb. 17; April 8, 10
Flames' road games: Feb. 11, 13, 15; March 31; May 8
Flames' record in head-to-head matchups in 2019-20: 2-1
Flames' all-time record in headto-head matchups: 120-80-26-17
Calgary's leaders against
Canucks in 2019-20: Johnny Gaudreau racked up five points, including four assists, while Dillon Dube contributed a game-winning goal and a pair of helpers.
Sexy storyline: Flames general manager Brad Treliving loaded up on ex-canucks in free agency, signing four guys away from their West Coast foes. The biggest fish, of course, was stalwart netminder Jacob Markstrom, who was Vancouver's MVP for the past two seasons before inking a sixyear, Us$36-million deal at the Saddledome.
Sub-plot: With all the hullabaloo about the Battle of Alberta, it's easy to forget the Canucks had been Calgary's biggest rival in recent years.
VS. WINNIPEG JETS
Flames' home games: Feb. 9, March 26, 27, 29; May 5
Flames' road games: Jan. 14;
Feb. 1, 2, 4
Flames' record in head-to-head matchups in 2019-20: 0-0-1 in regular season, 3-1 in play-in series
Flames' all-time record in headto-head matchups: 11-7-1-1
Calgary's leaders against Jets in 2019-20: Sean Monahan had an assist in the outdoor game and six scoresheet mentions in the play-in round. Milan Lucic and Andrew Mangiapane were both point-per-game guys in the summer series.
Sexy storyline: After meeting in a best-of-five qualification series in the summer bubble, these prairie squads are already well-acquainted. While the restart showdown didn't turn as nasty as some anticipated after Jets head coach Paul Maurice accused Matthew Tkachuk of intentionally injuring Mark Scheifele, there is still a rivalry brewing.
Sub-plot: Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, so these goaltending duels will present a perfect opportunity for Flames' freeagent arrival Markstrom to prove his own perch among the NHL'S elite puck-stoppers.
VS. OTTAWA SENATORS
Flames' home games: March 4, 7; April 19, 20
Flames' road games: Feb. 25, 27; March 1, 22, 24
Flames' record in head-to-head matchups in 2019-20: 1-1
Flames' all-time record in headto-head matchups: 23-15-4-3
Calgary's leaders against Senators in 2019-20: Elias Lindholm was the only gent to post multiple points.
Sexy storyline: All eyes will be on the Tkachuk brothers — Matthew was the leading point-producer for the Flames last season, while Brady did those same honours for the Senators.
Sub-plot: The Flames won't see the top two picks this season, but Tim Stuetzle — selected third-overall behind Alexis Lafreniere (Rangers) and Quinton Byfield (Kings) — is expected to stick with the Senators.
VS. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Flames' home games: Jan. 24, 26; April 4, 5
Flames' road games: Feb. 22, 24; March 19, 20; April 13
Flames' record in head-to-head matchups in 2019-20: 2-0
Flames' all-time record in headto-head matchups: 49-41-9-2
Calgary's leaders against Maple Leafs in 2019-20: Gaudreau potted a pair of goals, while Travis Hamonic — still unsigned as a free agent — notched a team-high three points.
Sexy storyline: Several of the Flames' difference-makers hail from the Toronto area, a list that includes Sam Bennett, Mark Giordano, Mangiapane and Sean Monahan.
Sub-plot: Giordano's close pal and longtime defence partner, TJ Brodie, is now wearing blue after signing a four-year, Us$20-million pact with the Maple Leafs.
VS. MONTREAL CANADIENS
Flames' home games: March 11, 13; April 22, 24, 26
Flames' road games: Jan. 28, 30; April 14, 16
Flames' record in head-to-head matchups in 2019-20: 0-1-1
Flames' all-time record in headto-head matchups: 36-38-8-3
Calgary's leaders against Habs in 2019-20: There were not many highlights, but Gaudreau, Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk managed two points apiece.
Sexy storyline: It's no secret the Flames' pro scouts have long been fond of Josh Anderson, the big winger who was shipped this fall from the Blue Jackets to the Canadiens and then signed to a seven-year, Us$38.5-million megadeal in Montreal.
Sub-plot: Flames head coach Geoff Ward, no longer with an “interim” tag on his job title, counts Canadiens skipper Claude Julien as a mentor and a close friend, so these meetings will be meaningful to both.