With only 2 wins in their last 7 games, the Flames are back in action versus one of their division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche. Their last setback, was an embarrassing 6-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks, and after 5 days rest, look for the Flames to come back firing on all cylinders.

During the break, the Flames have been focusing heavily on defensive aspects of the game… not just by the defensemen, but by all positions. The Flames have given up an incredible 24 goals in the past five games (nearly 5 goals per game!) and have hung Kiprusoff out to dry more than once. The team’s original goal for this year was to decrease the average goals against per game by .5. If they expect to achieve this goal by the end of the year, they are going to have to become the best defensive team in the NHL for the remainder of the season.

Darryl Sutter has to be scratching his head, wondering what needs to happen in order to motivate his team. The game against San Jose was an excellent test to see how the Flames could handle an “Elite” hockey club and, as the final score indicated, the team failed miserably. The good news? The Flames now know what level they need to play at and what they need to do to get there. If they don’t do that quickly, I think we can expect to see some adjustments to the Flames lineup.

Each year, the excitement mounts as I count down the days until the Flames season opener. However, after last night’s game, I think I am going to skip future season openers, and count down to the second game of the season.

Let’s face it, with the exception of a portion of the first period, the Flames were dominated by the Canucks last night and the final score was reflective of this. But really, should I be so surprised that the Flames lost their season opener? In the past 14 seasons, the Calgary Flames have marked a “W” in the win column only once in their first game.  In Kiprusoff’s 5 attempts in a Flames uniform he has 5 straight losses.

This team seems to be cursed when it comes to season openers:

Season            Score     Outcome     Opponent
2008-2009         6-0              L              Canucks
2007-2008         3-2              L              Flyers
2006-2007         3-1              L              Oilers
2005-2006         6-3              L              Wild
2003-2004         4-1              L              Canucks
2002-2003         3-0              L              Canucks
2001-2002        1-0              W             Oilers
2000-2001         4-3              L              Red Wings
1999-2000         5-3              L              Sharks
1998-1999         3-3              T              Sharks
1997-1998         3-1              L              Red Wings
1996-1997         3-1              L              Canucks
1995-1996         3-3              T              Lightning
1994-1995         3-3              T              Jets

Saturday, luckily, is a new day and a new game. A different Flames team must show up to the Saddledome in order to regain their confidence. In the past, Kiprusoff has been known to bounce back “big-time” after significant losses - this is one trend that I hope will continue.

Here are my quick hits as I watch tonight’s game:

• Jarome Iginla is sure passing the puck a lot for a guy trying to net his 50th of the season
• According to my stomach, this one felt like a playoff game
• Oilers suck as much as ever
• Commentators are saying “can’t clear it” way too often
• I know Iggy’s our leading scorer, emotional leader and all that, but can we give Nolan the team MVP for bouncing the Oilers?
• Why is SportsNet telling me that I’m watching ‘Oilers Hockey’ … I’m watching FLAMES hockey!
• I know I wasn’t supposed to be cheering for Nashville tonight, but it’s worth it for the consequences to Edmonton
• SportsNet is calling this a ‘heartbreaking ending’ … I call it a flattering ending. Any team winning as many games in OT/shootout as in regulation time doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs.
• Flames work isn’t done. Let’s get some wins in Minnesota and Vancouver to lock up that playoff position.
• I think I’ll be able to bring myself to cheer for the Oilers against the Canucks this week. If they’re going to be spoilers, they might as well do it in Vancouver.
• Oilers suck

Thank you, good night.