Game Skinny
All in all a solid road performance for the Flames.
They storm out and dominate the first period, likely deserving to be up a few, but despite their recent woes in the goal scoring department they didn’t sag. The second saw them find the net on a Mikael Backlund powerplay marker, and then Sean Monahan scored the second goal of the night to put things away in the third.
Difference Makers
No passengers in this one as every one was going, but found Backlund, and the Colborn-Monahan combination up front the most noticeable. On the backend, Giordano was a force as per usual, and TJ Brodie had a strong game finding his niche again.
Development Diary
Very good game for Sean Monahan, which is great to see … likely his best since before the broken foot. Joe Colborne is quietly gaining more confidence in traffic in handling the puck, played great on the wall, much like the game in Denver last week. Byron was a difference maker again, made a great pass to Monahan on the game icer.
Draft Implications / Scoreboard
Odd night for the Flames out of town as none of the teams that matter in the draft race were playing. So their two points didn’t have a match form any fellow bottom dwellers. As a result the Flames move three clear of the Oilers and to within three points of the Panthers.
Ramblings
Interesting to see Hartley juggle his lines and build a line containing Joe Colborne and Sean Monahan, both centers. Monahan took the draws and then slid over to the right side to play the wing, while Colborne took up the defensive assignments down low. In the offensive zone they worked really well together on the cycle, both having big bodies. … The Flames tossed the “A” on the Backlund tonight, completing a pretty solid month of hockey where they player went from trade fodder to now part of the leadership group. Hopefully Burke has noticed, as they guy has become the team’s number one center and shouldn’t be moved as previously discussed. … Interesting to see the Mid Term Draft Rankings come out today and completely toss the rankings on their head. Instead of wondering on Ekblad and Reinhart, both players were passed by Same Bennett, and Leon Draisaitl. Calgary has never had a top five pick since moving to Calgary, and it’s really in their best interest to have a less than established pecking order should they not secure the number one pick; really increases their chances of getting the guy they want sliding into their lap. … .
Roster Moves
With Mike Cammalleri expected to miss the two game trip due to an injury suffered on Saturday night against Pittsburgh, the Flames have recalled and inserted Ben Street into the lineup. Street, an AHL all star adds some minor league skill, but can that finally transcend to the next level? … Kari Rammo returns to the Flames nets after Berra lost in his start on Saturday night.
Where Do They Go From Here?
Peter Maher aptly pointed out today that the Flames two game road trip is essentially a five game road trip. First a crazy trek East for two games in two nights (Nashville tomorrow night), then home for one game on Thursday against the Jets, then on to Vancouver for a game on Saturday night, then finally San Jose on Sunday night. Ouch! You take a team that can’t score, remove their highest scoring player due to injury and then give them travel hell!
