The guy just wanted to play.
Sitting healthy in Minnesota, relegated to the third goaltender, no longer getting the net for practice or to dress in games. He was in NHL hell.
Then a very strange opportunity arises when a late trade deadline move requires the transfer of his salary. Where am I going? Calgary, a team with zero chance to make the playoffs. He says sure with his no trade clause but only if they promise me two games. Now I’m not sure if the Flames would be obligated contractually to an odd clause like that but they fulfilled step one tonight with a start in Montreal.
And the old guy came within 7 minutes of a shut out in a 4-1 win in Montreal. A great story, with at least one more chapter.
The Flow
The Flames, with points in 6 of their last 7 games coming in jumped all over the injury depleted Canadiens in the first period, jumping out to a 6-1 lead in shots though failing to solve Hab goaltender Mike Condon. By the buzzer shots were 10-6 Calgary, with Backstrom looking pretty solid despite not being tested all that often. Scoreless through 20.
Montreal finds their legs, at least to a measure in the second as they period is spent more in all three zones. The Flames open the scoring when TJ Brodie finds Joe Colborne in front of the net for a tap in, and it’s 1-0 Calgary. Sean Monahan scores his first of the night when Dougie Hamilton makes an incredible pass to Monahan in the slot, in a play that was reminiscent of that Backlund goal in Pittsburgh two weeks ago to make it 2-0. The teams trade B quality scoring chances the rest or the period but the game remains 2-0, Backstrom has his intriguing story in check through 40.
A close game going into the third, doesn’t stay close all that long as the Flames score two more quick ones to break things open. First Monahan collects the rebound off of a Hamilton point shot and beats Condon for his 2nd of the night. Then he helps out his teammate by setting up Johnny Gaudreau for his 27th of the season as the Flames essentially put things away. Sadly the Habs break up Backstrom’s shut out bid with a late goal by rookie McCarron but the Flames cruise to a relatively easy 4-1 win.
Three Stars
1. Sean Monahan: Goes to the net for two goals, spins and sets up Gaudreau on a great feed for an assist, the kid has been on fire creating offence on his own.
2. Dougie Hamilton: Talk about creating offence from the backend, the kid has amazing patience and precision in those bullet passes for tips in front of the net. Puts up three assists for the second time this week.
3. Niklas Backstrom: Stops 21 of 22 shots to pick up his first win since December of 2014, great story as I said above.
Big Save
A big Flame turnover turns into an all alone break for Plekenec who was stoned by a challenging Backstrom making himself big. All night the veteran goaltender kept it simple and stayed square to the shooter.
The Goat
The Habs top line. Galchenyuk, Pacioretty were both completely invisible and a -2 on the night for Montreal. To have any chance with an injury depleted line your top players have to be your top players and tonight they were non factors.
Mr. Clutch
Johnny Gaudreau. Only put up one point on two shots with his third period goal, but was dominant in the third period with the puck on one of the biggest stages in hockey (the Bell Center). The kid can really bring a crowd to their feet, and the Montreal crowd is certainly sophisticated enough to appreciate talent.
Odds and Ends
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting any stock in this at all. But wouldn’t it be a great story if Backstrom played well enough down the stretch that they felt him worthy of a one year deal to tend net with Joni Ortio next year in Calgary, saving the team assets to acquire a goaltender, and any exposure to a potential expansion draft? Highly unlikely I agree, but his start in Montreal tonight was at least an interesting step towards that possibility. Truthfully the Canadiens are basically a farm team right now with their injuries, and he didn’t face a lot of touch shots, and his glove couldn’t actually catch a puck coming his way, but it’s fun to imagine. … Joe Colborne with another goal and an assist tonight giving him 15 goals and 32 points this season, both career highs. That makes 3 goals and 5 points in his last 5 games, as he continues to fill some of the void on the wing from the departure of Jiri Hudler. He’s slowly going from a guy that was pretty expendable to a guy that should certainly be resigned by the Flames this summer, at least at a reasonable rate. … Dougie Hamilton continues his torrid pace in the second half of the season. After just 5 points in the first two months (24 games), he’s put up 32 points since (48 games). That’s a pace of 55 points over 82 games, which would have him 3rd spot in NHL scoring for defensemen. It will be interesting to see if he can snare 5 more to equal his career best in Boston last season, something that seemed impossible a few weeks ago. Great season as it turns out. … Ok Sean Monahan. I had a serious concern that he was caddying for Gaudreau too much this season and they should be split up so he could continue to develop his game as a young player. Then lately he’s started to find the slot and the hard areas giving himself a great run of goals and points. His three point night puts him 5 goals and 7 points behind career marks, which are both somewhat possible with 10 games to go on the schedule. Not helping the Flames pocket book much however. … Any suggestions of tanking by the Flames can pretty much be put to rest with points in 7 of the last 8 games. They may just climb out of the bottom 10 if they’re not careful, making that lottery win both surprising and so so sweet in a month’s time. The promise to Backstrom was somewhat fishy however, and starting Hiller tomorrow? Almost like the Flames as an organization are trying to give the team a chance at a lottery win, but the players themselves clearly play the game to play the game. Suggests the Flames may not have all that far to go to be competitive this season as they are finding points now with adequate goaltending.
Next Up
Tomorrow night the Flames are in Toronto playing the team that has really figured out the tank approach to a season, the Leafs. Game time 5pm on Sportsnet.
3>Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan- Josh Jooris
Joe Colborne – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma – Sam Bennett – Micheal Ferland
Brandon Bollig- Matt Stajan – Garnet Hathaway
Mark Giordano – Dougie Hamilton
Jyrki Jokipakka – TJ Brodie
Jacub Nakladal – Tyler Wotherspoon
Niklas Backstrom
