Here we go.
34 games on the schedule and the Flames need 45 or so points in order to make the playoffs. Tall order indeed, but made less impossible with every win, and that’s exactly what the Flames managed tonight with a 4-1 bashing of the red hot Carolina Hurricanes.
The reunited top line was on fire tonight as Sean Monahan picked up four points, while his linemates Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler both pitched in with two of their own.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but tonight was a solid 60 minute effort towards the team’s collective goal.
The Flow
Calgary couldn’t have started a game on better footing, as they ran roughshod over the Canes in the first 3 or 4 minutes running up a 6-0 shot advantage despite the game remaining scoreless. The Flames finally open the scoring on a mid period powerplay on a goal by Dougie Hamilton, his 7th of the season. The club couldn’t celebrate all that long however as Lindholm tied the score less than a minute later. Score tied 1-1 after one.
The Flames controlled the second period from start to finish by possessing the puck and then boxing out the Canes when they didn’t. They were finally rewarded later in the period when both of Calgary’s all stars scored in less than a minute with eight and change left on the clock. First Giordano from the slot wired one home and then Gaudreau corralled a Monahan poke to put the puck short side on Eddie Lack and the Flames lead 3-1. Calgary likely deserved better after the first but they found their bounces in the second.
The third period had that natural push you’d expect from the Canes down two goals on the road, but the Flames kept things close at hand and continued to control the play. Any doubts on the game’s outcome were settled early when Monahan added to his epic night by scoring just under 3 minutes in to add to give him four points on the night. From there the Flames just took it home in classic kiddy by the door style, 4-1 final.
Three Stars
1.Sean Monahan: The kid did it in pretty invisible fashion but you have to hand it to him, four points in four points.
2.Mark Giordano: 25 minutes of ice time, the game winner, and two points on the night. Another great night from the captain.
3.Johnny Gaudreau: Great all star appearance followed up by a two point night in his first game back. Stellar.
Big Save
Didn’t have to wait long for this one. Eddie Lack stones Michael Frolik 90 seconds into the game on a point blank pad save that had 1-0 Flames written all over it. Lack kept the Canes in it in the first period or this one could have gotten out of hand.
The Goat
Not going to lie to you I was a little surprised to see Ron Hainsey still in the NHL, but there he was taking his turn to the tune of 22 minutes and a -2 tonight. Was he bad? Not really, but there was really nothing glaring on the goat front.
Mr. Clutch
Michael Frolik. The guy was a stud tonight. The Monahan line got things done, no doubt about it, but when it came to pressure and puck possession the Backlund/Frolik/Bennett line was lights out with Frolik leading the way. He easily could have had 4 goals tonight. Great game.
Odds and Ends
Getting tired of this Dennis Wideman thing yet? Yeah me too, trust me I’ll let it go. I don’t mind that he’s suspended, I thought he did a reckless thing in what looked like a pissy reaction to a linesman getting in his way when he was already miffed about getting hit in the corner with no penalty. I thought he’d get 10 games. But 20? To me that says he jumped to his feet in the corner looking for retribution for the hit and targeted a linesman 100 feet away, sought him out and lowered the boom. That’s not what happened. The last second twist to the right of his skates says he didn’t see the linesman in his line, but blew it in his reaction. Silly call by the NHL and Colin Campbell and one that may hurt them if a star player in the playoffs runs into a linesman in a similar fashion. In this politcally correct world we need leaders to stand up and do what’s right, not what they think would look the best. Cowardly in my mind. … TJ Brodie stopped a shot late and hobbled off, have to hope he’s not out as I’d suggest he’s Calgary’s most important player. … Another great game from Mark Giordano. Many have expressed concern over his contract, but in my books he looks to be money for the next two to three years, and at that level it should mean about 2 to 3 million in savings per value for the Flames for that time period. If he declines on the backend after say three years at the top then the contract will have worked exactly as expected; get 8M in value for 6.75M then get 4M in value for 6.75M. Time will tell. … Glad to see the Flame worked out the roster spot exemption for Wideman in their lengthy meeting yesterday. The news of Ferland getting back in without a roster move came down too quickly after the Wideman ruling to think it wasn’t discussed earlier. Allows the Flames to work with Nakladal in the meantime and test his value before he becomes a UFA. … Like Mason Raymond as a person but I’m glad the team can now move on with a progressive look at their forwards. He just didn’t fit in the top six and he isn’t suited for the final six so it makes sense. … Interesting to see Tkachuk move up in the draft rankings from ISS today, moving Laine out of the top three. Would love to see the Flames land Laine to add to their forward depth and 4th overall looks about right the way things have been going of late. Have to admit any of the top five would look good in Calgary colours however. … To shift gears, tonight’s game was likely the toughest opposition of the first four games after the all star break suggesting the Flames could go on a bit of a run. Would be interesting if they cut the eight point gap coming into tonight back to four in that time period.
Next Up
The Flames homestand continues with a date against the Jackets on Friday, game time 7pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma – Marcus Granlund- Joe Colborne
Micheal Ferland – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Derryk Engellend – Ladislav Smid
Kari Ramo
