Calgary Puck

At what point is a start no longer a start, but a just is?

I think Peter Maher used to say 20 games. Others point to American Thanksgiving.

Well the Flames have played 19 games, and American Thanksgiving kicks off this week on Thursday … so yeah the for real thing is soon upon us.

The Flames completing a seven game road trip in Boston tonight found a goal in each of the first two periods by Boston College natives, and then settled things in the third in what came close to two shorthanded goals on the same powerplay to put the Bruins away 4-0 on Sunday night.

The win gives the Flames a 4-1-2 record on the seven gamer which is pretty astounding since they went 5-0-0 on their last junket.

They just keep on rolling and rolling.

Next up a rather cruel game on Tuesday with little time between with travel against the Blackhawks on Saddledome ice. I’d suggest they come out flat after the travel and adjusting to home, but I’m dong betting against this team.

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That certainly wasn’t perfect, yet in it’s flawed way it was a very good sign.

The Flames were under siege at times from a team playing off a raucous building opening crowd, and took far too many penalties early, but every time they looked to be on the ropes they were able to stabilize and get back to their structure.

In the end it was an edge in special teams and some late empty net goals that fueled the team’s 5-2 victory opening the UBS Arena in Long Island (really Queens) on Saturday night.

The Flames, of course, of the Atlanta breed, opened the last real home for the Islanders (not going to count the Barclay Center), with a similar result, and in fact the exact same score before Calgary added two empty net goals.

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The Sabres have surprised a few teams to start the season including the Edmonton Oilers about a week ago in forging a record a game over .500 coming into the game against Calgary.

But even still, it was tough imagining a successful road trip after the loss in Montreal without finding two points in Buffalo on Thursday night.

So it was a good sign to see the Flames literally give the Sabres little chance in turning a 1-0 lead into a commanding 5-0 victory on the strength of Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Mangiapane’s two goa performances and yet another shut out from doughnut king Jacob Markstrom.

The win gives the Flames a 2-1-2 record and six points through five games on the seven game road trip with back to backs to come on Saturday and Sunday against the Islanders and Bruins.

A point or two gives them a .500 or better trip, which isn’t a the 5-0-0 trip we saw earlier, but not bad for a team that has spent most of it’s schedule not only away from home, but two time zones away.

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Well the Flames certainly aren’t overtime masters this season are they?

For the 5th time this year the Flames took a game to overtime, but came up empty in the extra frame failing to get the extra point.

Tonight the Flames and Flyers played a spirited 1-1 tie through 60 minutes, two teams that don’t see each other all that often, but have built up a solid base of dislike despite the unfamiliarity.

A first period goal by Oliver Kylington was offset by a second period goal by Kevin Hayes; both goals very fortuitous, before the Flyers found a way to put things away in overtime.

The loss gives the Flames a 1-1-2 record for four points in four games on their seven game road trip.

Next up is Buffalo on Thursday night.

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At least they got the point.

The Flames looked like they were going to steal one for ten minutes in the third period when Oliver Kylington put the Flames up as the team continued to ride the strong goaltending by rookie Daniel Vladar.

But a Kylington turnover resulting in a William Nylander game tying goal which forced overtime and resulted in an Austin Mathews winner to turn the Flames back by a 2-1 overtime score.

That’s three straight losses for the Flames, but they did snap the pointless streak at two and keep hope alive that they can still steer home a solid seven game road trip.

Still some concerns on what they’re giving up, and the focus on details that seemed to have slipped in the last three games.

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