Flames excited to keep win streak alive at Madison Square Garden

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MacKenzie Weegar needs his younger teammates to benefit from the second.

You solely get to skate at Madison Sq. Backyard for the primary time as soon as, in any case, and it’s the form of factor you would possibly bear in mind for the remainder of your life.

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So yeah, the Calgary Flames want to remain centered on the duty at hand on Monday night time and attempt to prolong their profitable streak to 5 video games once they tackle the New York Rangers on the world’s most well-known area.

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However there’s nothing improper with permitting your self a second to take all of it in.

“I’ll watch them exit for warmups,” Weegar stated. “I like watching the rookies as a result of I used to be there as soon as, too, and you’ll simply inform they’re wanting round and in my head I used to be there once more, being that rookie enjoying that first sport at MSG.

“I bear in mind it prefer it was yesterday.”

There’s a magic to Madison Sq. Backyard, little doubt about it. Possibly it’s the historical past, realizing that Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier on the venue or that everybody from Elvis to John Lennon to Taylor Swift have performed there.

Or perhaps it’s simply the sensation of taking centre stage in a metropolis the place they famously say if you may make it there, you may make it anyplace.

However enjoying at Madison Sq. Backyard is bucket checklist for almost each NHL participant.

“I feel it could be a extremely cool expertise, it’s up there with the Bell Centre,” Connor Zary stated a few weeks in the past. “Once you get that chance to play in that constructing, it means somewhat additional, particularly getting that first time.

“It’s one thing to cherish. It’s in all probability probably the most historic venues in sports activities, so it’s fairly cool simply to know who’s been there. At the same time as a fan, to have the ability to go there and watch a sport, whether or not it’s basketball or hockey or whatnot, it’s all the time a cool expertise.”

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If enjoying at MSG is a giant second for a younger participant, the excellent news for the Flames is that Zary hasn’t shied away from large moments in his rookie season.

The 22-year-old is fifth in NHL scoring amongst rookies and third in points-per-game, which has landed him squarely within the Calder Trophy dialog.

He’s scored in Boston, Toronto and Montreal, too, so it’s nearly as if he has a particular propensity for scoring in high-profile buildings in opposition to Authentic Six opponents.

Madison Sq. Backyard simply occurs to be essentially the most well-known of all of them.

And in Weegar’s eyes, it hits somewhat completely different.

“It’s No. 1, for me, in the entire league,” Weegar stated. “It’s received such a vibe to it, it’s a particular place. You go in there and even simply strolling in, you get goosebumps and might really feel the historical past.

“That, for me, is the No. 1 rink within the NHL and even serious about it, it’s so particular to play there.”

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What would make it much more particular for the Flames can be getting a win.

Final yr, the Flames and Rangers performed in arguably essentially the most entertaining sport of the yr once they squared off at MSG in early February, with Alex Lafreniere giving the New Yorkers the win along with his aim 1:47 into extra time.

Winners of 4 in a row, the surging Flames would love nothing greater than to reverse final yr’s outcome and earn themselves a win.

As a result of enjoying at Madison Sq. Backyard is particular.

However profitable there may be even higher.

“It’s sick,” Weegar reiterated. “The followers are unbelievable, they’re all the time chirping. Nevertheless it’s even that you just’re taking a sip of water and also you see a celeb and also you’re like ‘what the f— is occurring right here, they’re watching me?’ It’s particular. I’d say for everyone it’s No. 1.”

daustin@postmedia.com

X: @DannyAustin_9

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