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Flames hope to avoid slowest start in seven seasons

Oct 10, 2007 - 1:29 PM Calgary (0-1-1) at Detroit (2-0-1) 7:30 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- If the Calgary Flames hope to avoid their worst start since the beginning of the decade, they will have to defeat last season's best home team.

The Flames take to the road for the first time this season when they travel to Joe Louis Arena and face the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

By virtue of Saturday's 4-3 overtime defeat against Vancouver, Calgary lost consecutive games at the start of a season for the first time since 2002-03 - the last time it failed to make the playoffs. With another loss here, the Flames would be winless after three games to open a season for the first time since 2000-01.

If last season serves as any indication, don't be surprised if the Flames struggle against the Red Wings. Calgary's 13 road wins in 2006 were the fewest of any playoff team last season.

Meanwhile, Detroit is coming off a season in which it skated to a 29-4-8 home record, the best mark in the league. The Red Wings, who have won six consecutive Central Division titles, are picking up right where they left off on home ice, winning each of their first two home games.

Henrik Zetterberg, who has a goal and six assists this season, kept his long scoring streak intact, posting two assists in Monday's 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old left wing, who just celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, has scored a point in each of the last 10 regular season games.

The NHL's oldest player, 45-year-old Chris Chelios, played in his 1,550th game against Edmonton, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Alex Delvecchio to move into eighth place on the career list. He also scored his first regular-season goal in 18 months.