In their season opener against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, the Flames had few positives in a 3-0 loss at Rogers Place. Things were looking bleak for the Flames against the Winnipeg Jets in Calgary's home opener Saturday; they trailed 3-1 after one period. But the Flames, powered by four-point games from defenseman T.J. Brodie (two goals, two assists) and left wing Johnny Gaudreau (one goal, three assists), scored the last five goals of the game to defeat the Jets 6-3 at Scotiabank Saddledome.
\[RELATED: Flames score five unanswered to surge past Jets\]
The game at Anaheim, followed two nights later by a visit to the Los Angeles Kings, didn't seem as daunting after the comeback win.
"This was an important game for us here, to come out [with a win] and then go on the road; tough games against Anaheim and L.A.," Gaudreau said. "This was important, getting a huge win, and now it's a huge test for us Monday. We're looking forward to playing now on Monday."
The Flames have also lost three playoff series to the Ducks since the regular-season losing streak began in 2004 - in seven games in the Western Conference Quarterfinals in 2006, in five games in the Western Conference Second Round in 2015 and in four games in the first round in April. Calgary's road record against the Ducks in those three series: 1-7.
The sweep last spring only added to the sting the Flames have felt against the Ducks.
"We just have to play our game Monday," Gaudreau said. "I don't think it's a score to settle with them. Obviously we haven't won there in a long time, and it'll be nice to win there. But if we play our game and do the little things right that we did [against the Jets], I think we'll be successful."
Brodie's bounce-back game Saturday gave the Flames a boost.
Against the Oilers, he was outraced on several occasions by Edmonton captain Connor McDavid. One of them was a spectacular rink-long rush and goal by McDavid in the third period.