"Brent Sutter had joked about it weeks ago — how every road trip for his Calgary Flames is, supposedly, do or die.

Well, the next season-maker (or -breaker) is upon them.

Immediately after Sunday morning's practice, the Flames started packing up for their charter southward.

Tonight, they face the Anaheim Ducks. Wednesday, they're in San Jose. Thursday, Phoenix.

Some wisecracker, laughing, asked Sutter the question he expected to hear — if this happens to be, you know, the biggest trip of the year.

Sutter laughed back.

"You know what, you guys? As you know, when you're in a race like we are, every game is a big game," said Sutter. "So, this is a big trip. Just like our last one. The position we were in last time, we had to get on the road and win some games — and we did that. This one is basically the same.""