Record: 42-24-6
Leading scorers: Jarome Iginla (31G, 52A), Mike Cammalleri (36G, 39A)
Blogs: Matchsticks and Gasoline
The Calgary Flames were hailed as the team that most improved from the trade deadline. Jordan Leopold left the mountains of Colorado for the Saddledome, joined by former Coyote Ollie Jokinen who similarly left the deserts of Arizona.
Jokinen had an immediate impact with a two-goal performance in his first game as a Flame. Combined with the firepower of Jarome Iginla and Mike Cammalleri, not to mentioned backstopped by the league's win-leading goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff, one can hardly argue their success at the deadline and the threat they'd pose for the remainder of the season.
Yet recent games may change that perspective.
Calgary kicked off the month of March with an 8-6 loss to the Lightning, of all teams. Later that week it was a 6-1 loss to the Hurricanes, topped a week later in the disappointment column with an 8-6 loss to the Maple Leafs. Perhaps all was balanced out Monday night when the Flames beat the Red Wings 5-3, improving their season series record against Detroit to 2-1-1.
Sometimes good teams lose bad games, that's just how it goes. Calgary is a good team, as reflected by their 90 points in the West (third in conference). Their 5-6 record for the month of March eludes to a bit of a downturn in Calgary's season, but Pens fans may be mistaken if they start doubting the Flames.