NEWARK, N.J. -- Travis Hamonic is confident he has an explanation for why the Calgary Flames are so successful on the road this season.
"It's the white jerseys," the veteran defenseman told Sporting News Canada following the Flames 3-2 road win over the New Jersey Devils Thursday at the Prudential Center.
"Maybe we should wear them at home, too."
If true, there must be some special magic in those road whites because the Flames are 15-5-5 away from the Saddledome this season and haven't lost an away game in the New Year, posting a 6-0-1 mark on the road since a Dec. 29 loss in Anaheim to the Ducks. Those 15 road victories are tied for fourth most in the NHL, while their five regulation losses are tied with the Boston Bruins for fewest in the entire league.
MORE: NHL rumor roundup: Price for top targets Pacioretty, Nash and Kane remain high
That kind of success makes for a confident group of players when a team hits the road for a six-game road trip a long way from Calgary as the Flames are right now.
"I think we enjoy playing on the road, the guys are playing with a lot of confidence on the road, it comes with winning games," said All-Star winger Johnny Gaudreau. "We've learned to play better on the road, last season we struggled on the road and it's a big reason why we are where we are at (in the standings)."
The Flames enter Friday's contest at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers tied for second place in the Pacific Division, though just one point clear of the ninth-place Los Angeles Kings in the ultra-competitive Western Conference playoff race. The Flames are only 13-13-3 on home ice, proving just how important their road success is to keeping them in a playoff spot at present.
"If you look at our overall numbers, the statistics, we are a much better home team as far the chances we generate, what we give up, but some of the key factors -- like the power play, the penalty killing, shooting percentage and ability to score -- is less at home," Flames coach Glen Gulutzan explained to Sporting News Canada. "It seems we go on the road and generate less offense and we score more. We are a little freer on the road, we don't feel the pressure to score."
MORE: Rejuvenated Mike Smith ready for Flames' stretch run after fun All-Star appearance
In 29 home games this season, the Flames have 80 goals for and 90 against. In 25 road contests, they have a plus ten goal differential -- 73-63. They are 7-1-5 in 13 one-goal games on the road and started this extended trip with consecutive 3-2 one-goal victories over the Blackhawks and Devils.
"There's nothing I can really pinpoint, we just kind of play," offered Sean Monahan, who scored twice Thursday in New Jersey and has a team-high 27 goals on the season. "At home, sometimes we're just thinking too much or worried about little games within the game. On the road, we just play, stick to our systems and play hard."
Thursday was the latest example of the successful road formula. The top offensive players did their part -- as Gaudreau added a goal to go along with Monahan's pair, the Flames neutralized the Devils speed game and backup goaltender David Rittich stepped in to give Mike Smith a night off, and turned in a 30-save performance. All five of Rittich's wins this season are on the road.
"It's important for the team that when Smitty needs a rest the guys say Rittie can play, too," said Rittich following the latest victory. "Home or away, I'm a goalie that doesn't like to lose."
MORE: Rangers usher in rebuild with honest trade declaration to fans
This current season-long six-game trek still has another week to go after starting with travel delays due to poor weather and the aforementioned two wins. Following the game in Manhattan, the Flames cross into Brooklyn to face the Islanders on Sunday, then up to Boston for a tilt against the Bruins on Tuesday and closes with a Thursday clash with the Nashville Predators in Music City on Thursday.
"Our work ethic is good at home, but the way we battle, the way just keep the foot on the gas no matter what happened, is key on the road," explained Hamonic, who returns to Barclays Center Sunday for the first time since last summer's trade to Calgary. "I think we kind of relish the role of playing well on the road.
"This is a huge trip for us, playing a ton of Eastern Conference teams while others teams in our conference are playing each other. We need to keep getting the points."