20230206_coleman

NEW YORK - The first-timers like Jakob Pelletier

If you know, you know.
Watching a game at MSG feels like the most important thing in the world at that time, and it isn't a stretch to say that many of our society's historical mile-markers are remembered because they happened here. Plaques on the walls of the concourse commemorative these events, from the Rangers and their 1994 Stanley Cup championship, the 'The Fight of the Century' between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier back in 1971, to Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
The list goes on.
Coleman, meanwhile, has made his own mark with three goals and five points, lifetime, at MSG.
TheBattle of the Hudson is one of the NHL's great rivals, and when the Devils visited the Rangers in Midtown, it had a vibe unlike any other 'road' game.
"We've park at the rink and bus over as a team," Coleman said. "It was great. It was fun because there always Jersey fans in the crowd and it was almost like a college environment where the cheering was back and forth.
"I think it took me about three games to get a win here, but I've been winning since then.
"Solid track record."
Good thing, because the Flames - who return tonight after a nine-day break - need all the points they can get. A 32-game sprint to the playoffs begins with them on the outside looking in, despite a 3-1-0 stretch leading into the bye.
The Flames, though, are feeling good about themselves. They know their playoff destiny is firmly in their own hands and with their game rounding into form over the past month or so, they look at this four-game road trip as an opportunity to climb the standings.
"Now, we're in the thick of it," Coleman said. "We're six points out of first place and there's five teams between us. It's going to be one of those parts of the year where every night's a dogfight and you're trying to get points out of every single game. Look, I've been on a team where we weren't playing for anything at this point in the year and it's pretty tough to get going.
"This is where you want to be.
"You want to be fighting for a playoff spot and playing games that matter. Obviously, we start with a little road trip and this would be a great way to get the ball rolling."
The Flames were last in action on Jan. 27, beating the first-place Seattle Kraken 5-2 in what was widely considered one of their most complete games of the season.
It was a while ago now, but Coleman still believes that effort was meaningful when it comes to building both confidence, and momentum.
Especially on the road.
"It's the way we need to play," he said. "Obviously, a little breather between then and now, but a game like that gives you that spark, that road map of where we need to be to beat teams and win road games and things like that.
"For us, it's simple. It's about understanding that if we play our best, we can beat anybody."
Coleman was one of the leaders that night with a goal and two helpers, giving him 11 points (5G, 6A) in his last 15 games, overall. Like a lot of players on this Flames roster right now, it's clear No. 20 has found a bit of a groove.
"I think guys are starting to understand their roles more and to play the way they need to," Coleman said. "Myself included.
"Getting back in that role with Backs and Mang has been comfortable and we've been much better. Or, I should say, I've been much better. I think you can see it throughout the lineup. Kads and Huby are starting to develop some chemistry and they hadn't played together before. You can go up and down the list - things are falling into place.
"I think one of the final pieces for us to really go on a run here is to get our special teams in order."