'Go Out There And Play'

Nikita Zadorov takes no prisoners on the ice.

Off it, he’s not afraid to speak his mind, either.

With the Flames seeking a reset ahead of tonight’s contest against the New York Rangers, the Russian rearguard emphasized the two points available this evening are just as important as two points during a stretch run, as the team returns to home ice following a five-game swing through the Eastern Conference.

“It’s a big game for us, that’s the message we have,” Zadorov said after the team's morning skate. “We can’t be feeling sorry for ourselves. Come back, time difference, who cares?

“Go out there and play.”

The team met yesterday upon returning home from Detroit with a focus on tightening things up defensively.

But Zadorov hinted the scope of the conversation extended to playing as a group, and playing for one another.

Tough conversations, no doubt, but Zadorov is of the opinion that battling through adversity also brings about personal growth.

“You’ve got to be uncomfortable in your life,” he said. “I don’t think you should be comfortable in your life, or you’re not going to be the best version of yourself.”

Head Coach Ryan Huska figures those types of conversations need to happen for any team to progress through the peaks and valleys of an 82-game regular season.

“That’s part of leadership, for sure,” Huska said. “You have to play as a team in this league, otherwise it’s going to be tough to win on a nightly basis.”

It’s also way too early to peer at the standings, but we’ll do it anyway. Calgary enters tonight’s game one point behind second-place Vancouver in the Pacific Division.

But if you ask Zadorov, there’s no time like the present to stake a claim near the top of the table.

“It’s a good thing for our team, we’re only six games into the season. Pretty much everyone (in the Pacific Division) is in the same boat as us, so I think we can definitely use some wins.”

The Rangers arrived in Alberta Monday to begin four consecutive games against Western Canadian opponents, bringing with them nearly 100 years of NHL history and big-city prestige.

According to Huska, New York’s visit could not have come at a better time.

“It’s nice to have an Original 6 team come in, in a situation like this because you always get a little bit more energy for them.

“With our great fans here and the players as well, they feel it.”

Zadorov agrees.

“It’s going to be a fun battle tonight.”