‘We’re going to focus on ourselves’: Flames take win streak into Colorado

DENVER (660 NEWS) — The Calgary Flames are putting their four-game winning streak on the line with a date in the Mile High City.

But the Colorado Avalanche will be a tough test, as they’re winners of six straight and have had the Flames number since the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche are also looking to become the first Western Conference team to reach 20 wins this 2019-20 campaign.

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“We know they’re a good hockey team, and they’re playing well with confidence going right now, but we’re not going to focus too much on that,” interim head coach Geoff Ward offered after Monday’s morning skate. “We’re going to focus on ourselves and what we need to do to prepare to play and get our own energy going.

“They’re fast in the neutral zone. They get going from their D zone real quick, get on you fast on the forecheck. For us, the formula doesn’t change. We’ve got to put our game on the ice and worry about that. If we can have tracks and reloads, it’ll help negate some of that stuff they do. We’re worried more about what we’re going to do tonight as opposed to what they may potentially do. It’s what we do as a team that matters.”

In the last six games, the Flames are averaging three goals per game and have the powerplay operating at 25 per cent.

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“I think we’re playing a bit faster,” Ward said. “You can create it through puck movement, you can create it through skating, by how good your gaps are. We’ve seen improvement in all three of those areas, so as a result, we’re playing a bit quicker.”

This marks the third and final meeting between Calgary and Colorado this regular season, with the Avalanche winning the first two contests. The Avs have swept a season series with Calgary only once since relocating from Quebec City.

Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Monday’s tilt is the opener of a back-to-back for the Flames. They visit the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday night.

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