Five key match-ups for the Calgary Flames in March

The Calgary Flames had a great February, and have put themselves into a pretty favourable position as they begin the March portion of their schedule. If you’re hoping for the club to win the Pacific Division regular season crown and/or to go into the post-season with momentum, a strong March is crucial.

The Flames face 16 games over 31 days, including four sets of back-to-backs. Here are the five March match-ups we’re circling on the calendar as the most important of the month.

Plenty of Flames fans still have nightmares regarding the pummelling the Avalanche gave a pretty good Flames team in the 2019 playoffs. But the Avalanche have remained good (and may be even better than they were three years ago). They’re among the top teams in hockey, and the Flames haven’t played them yet.

The Flames get to take this test three times in March, including twice before the trade deadline. If you’re looking for a Western Conference measuring stick, it is right here, folks.

The Oilers may not be a powerhouse right now due to some roster construction issues, but these two games at the Saddledome are likely to be among the most emotional of the year from a crowd perspective – and that tends to translate onto the ice.

The Flames will be trying to cement themselves at the top of the division. The Oilers will likely be fighting for their playoff lives. Both factors will likely contribute to a pair of really entertaining, tense hockey games.

For whatever reason, the Capitals tend to have up-and-down regular seasons and then find a way to ramp up their game as the playoffs approach. The Capitals lost to the Flames early in the season – in that early road trip that served as an indicator that perhaps Darryl Sutter was onto something this year – but Alex Ovechkin’s team will be looking for revenge.

The Lightning are two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, and a team that turns into an absolute force when the post-season begins. The Flames are a team with ambitions, but one that has had very little playoff success. After losing to the Lightning in Tampa in January, the Flames will be looking to prove themselves in this measuring stick rematch.

Two teams have made big turnarounds in the Pacific Division this season: the Flames and the Kings. Both teams had huge February performances and as the month begins, they sit first and second in the division. It seems probable that this game a week after the trade deadline could pit the top two teams in the division against each other as they head into the final month of the season.

Plus, for whatever reason, the Flames and Kings just have tremendously intense games late in regular seasons.

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