The Calgary Flames’ 2023–24 season officially got underway yesterday with training camp kicking off with the start of on-ice training sessions.
While the news varied from pure joy to have the team back together, to some disheartening news regarding Oliver Kylingon, there was an overall positive momentum that the team was getting back into the swing of things.
The season is still 19 days away, which may seem far now, but at the rate things have been moving the last week there is no doubt October 11 will approach fast.
With the public release of single-game tickets this morning, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the games ahead and pencil in the most important games of the Calgary Flames season that you may want to secure tickets for.
October 11th vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Flames’ home opener happens to be their season opener this year as well. It’s always the most exciting time of year where the slate is completely clean and all that matters is the next game.
The team broke their curse last year by winning their home and season opener in a thrilling game versus the Colorado Avalanche. It also ended up kickstarting the team to one of their best starts in franchise history. We won’t worry about the rest.
Game 1 is where it all begins.
October 16th at Washington Capitals
An interesting game to throw on the list, but why is an early season visit to Washington so important? Well first off the team will be facing Mitch Love for the first time. The two-time AHL Coach of the Year will be facing the organization he most recently played for and you bet there will be money on the board.
Add in the fact that Matthew Phillips could be sticking with the Washington lineup to start the season and it could be a revenge game for him as well.
October 29th at Edmonton Oilers
The first Battle of Alberta of the season also happens to be their first one since December of last season. The cherry on top is that it is the Heritage Classic.
Do I need to say anything more?
November 27th vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The defending Stanley Cup champions will be making their way to the Dome for the first time since hosting the trophy this last June. There is always something about having the defending champs in town that brings out the best in teams.
To be the very best you have to beat the best, and the Flames will of course be looking at this divisional matchup as a true test of strength. It’s bound to have a ton of action.
December 9th vs. New Jersey Devils
Always have to pencil in the revenge games.
This will be the first time that Tyler Toffoli and Yegor Sharangovich face their former teams during the season. Toffoli was loved by the fanbase and will most likely get a warm reception, but both players will be absolutely on a warpath to get on the scoreboard and earn those two points for their team.
I am calling it now but these will be the two players to watch that night. Shocking, I know.
December 18th vs. Florida Panthers
From here until the end of his career, every game that Matthew Tkachuk returns to the Saddledome will be must-watch. The Flames got the win in his return last season, but fresh off of a Stanley Cup Final appearance, Tkachuk has the bragging rights here.
You can bet that he will be talking loads to his former teammates and has the right to do so, but it’s once again going to be must-watch television.
January 25th vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau’s return to Calgary last season produced one of the best games of the season for the Flames. An early penalty shot for Gaudreau combined with a back-and-forth game that ended with an OT win for the home team was almost too good for the NHL scriptwriters.
There is no doubt the boo-birds will be out once again and easily result in can’t-miss hockey in late January.
January 27th vs. Connor Bedard
We could have noted the NHL team from Chicago here, but the very next game the Flames will welcome first overall pick Connor Bedard to Calgary for the first time as an NHLer. Bedard is surely going to have double the points as the Flames’ entire top six by this point in time and history has proven that Bedard performs well on Saddledome ice.
His first NHL season is going to be special and with only one visit to Calgary this season it’s going to be another must-watch game to close out January.
March 2nd vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
This is a two-pronged selection.
First off, there aren’t going to be many more seasons in which you can go watch Sidney Crosby play in person. If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so, you better. It’s essential hockey viewing.
More importantly, March 2 will mark the fourth time in franchise history that the organization officially retires a number. Miikka Kiprusoff’s #34 will be raised to the rafters that night in what will be another all-time moment for the C of Red. Jarome Iginla’s retirement was one of the best nights in franchise history, and Kipper’s is bound to follow suit. He deserves this moment.
Good luck getting tickets though!
March 9th at Florida Panthers
Two games against Florida on the same list? Well as we pointed out in our most recent Flames Mailbag, this not only marks the return of Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar to Florida for the second time but also is the first game after the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
Depending on how the season goes, this could be the first game with or without a number of key familiar faces. You may be hoping for one or the other, but the team is bound to look different and could end up being a completely different roster.
