Flames Face Ducks on October 10 After Four Straight Losses

Calgary sought its first victory of the 2026-27 NHL season on Saturday, October 10, when the Flames hosted the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. The Flames entered the matchup with an 0-4 record, while Anaheim arrived at 3-1 after a convincing 5-1 road win over Winnipeg.

According to the NHL and Associated Press game previews, Calgary aimed to reverse its early-season slide as the Pacific Division opponents began a home-and-home series. The teams were scheduled to meet again in Anaheim on Tuesday, with two additional regular-season matchups planned for November.

Goaltender Dustin Wolf identified defensive situations following opposing rushes as a major area for improvement after Calgary conceded too many goals during its opening four games. Speaking after Friday's practice, he acknowledged his responsibility for the team's results.

"We've given up too many goals, that's the bottom line," Wolf said. "Our objective is to get points. I'm not doing a good enough job at helping our team do that.

Wolf said the lighter schedule between games had provided additional preparation time for Calgary's goaltending group and skaters.

"I think this week has been a blessing in disguise for days between games, to try to get back to the way I want to play and the way the group wants to play," Wolf said.

The goaltender distinguished between Calgary's defensive coverage inside its own zone and the increased volume of chances opponents generated during rushes. NHL Edge statistics cited by the Flames placed Wolf and teammate Devin Cooley outside the league's top 10 goaltenders for shots faced at five-on-five per 60 minutes.

"Our D-zone coverage has been outstanding," Wolf said. "We're not giving up really anything in the zone which as a goalie, is kind of where our bread and butter is. That's how we do our job.

He said video review had become a priority during the extended interval between games as he worked to adjust his approach to those attacking situations.

"Everything coming off the rush has been - not new, but more volume - so it's maybe a little more difficult. Just watching video and seeing how I can approach it a little bit differently on rush chances against, that's been my objective all week," Wolf said.

Anaheim entered the contest with strong early-season production from its young core. According to the NHL preview, Leo Carlsson had recorded one goal and seven points through four games, while Cutter Gauthier was among five Ducks averaging at least one point per game.

The Ducks' momentum followed a 5-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. Judd Caulfield, Tim Washe and Mikael Granlund each recorded a goal and an assist, while Lukas Dostal stopped 15 shots. Caulfield also scored his first NHL goal.

Calgary had finished the previous season with a 34-39-9 record and a minus-48 goal differential after scoring 208 goals and allowing 256, according to the Associated Press. Anaheim finished 43-33-6, including a 21-15-2 record against Pacific Division opponents.

The teams had played four times in 2025-26, with Calgary recording a 1-0-3 mark as three games went beyond regulation. The Flames' only victory in that series came in a 5-3 road win on April 4.

Both teams also faced injury concerns entering Saturday's game. The Associated Press listed Jonathan Huberdeau as out for Calgary with a hip injury, while Anaheim was without Drew Helleson and Ian Moore because of lower-body injuries and Troy Terry because of a hip injury.