It’s great that the Flames have been showing well against the league’s best in recent games, but contending teams also have to make hay against the circuit’s lower lights if they want to stay high in the standings.
That message didn’t look to have landed early in Detroit this evening, as the Flames spotted the Wings a 2-0 first period lead before scoring five of the game’s final six goals on way to a come from behind 5-3 victory on Wednesday night.
The story, Johnny Gaudreau again as he churns up another four point night (back to back this week) with a goal and an assist, fresh off being named the 2nd Star for the NHL in December.
The win gives the Flames a 3-0-1 record since the Xmas break as the team continues to roll.
Line Up Changes
The big one is David Rittich, out for Calgary with a lower body injury suffered against the Sharks two nights ago. Truth be told that likely was always planned as a Mike Smith start, so if the injury isn’t serious there’s nothing to see here.
Up front no change, the 3M line remains in game two after Frolik’s agent pulled the Flame’s collective chain, leaving Sam Bennett on a line with James Neal and Mark Jankowski.
No change on the blueline as expected.
Smith Vs Howard
When the Flames went goalie shopping two summers ago my personal list was specific; 1) veteran with some history 2) marginal acquisition cost and 3) limited term. I really felt the last thing they needed was a Ben Bishop like contract blocking the way in the nets for Calgary’s stable of three goaltenders.
My list at the time featured Vegas goaltender M.A. Fleury, and tonight’s two starters Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard. Did the Flames make the wrong move in those three? Last year I’d suggest they had the pick of the litter through 5 months despite Fleury’s great season in Vegas, but this year both veterans have moved past Howard.
Ironically, the Flames stable of young goaltenders have had the deck shuffled with the heir apparent backing up Smith tonight in Jon Gillies having a miserable season, the star in the making Tyler Parsons having a rough start, and the third of the group now being the Flame’s starter in David Rittich.
At least I had the “shouldn’t block the way for a young goaltender” part correct.
For his part tonight, Mike Smith was solid turning aside 29 of 32 shots for the win and a .906 save percentage.
2017-18 Third Line
Interesting to see Sam Bennett and Mark Jankowski back together on a third line featuring a veteran with solid NHL experience, as that was largely the team’s make up last season but with Jaromir Jagr.
Calgary depth last season was anchored on the duo, and they just never seemed to get untracked whether it was young player inconsistency, or the up and down injury riddled ride from Jagr.
I thought the new trio with James Neal looked good against San Jose on Monday night, but took a step back against the Wings in tonight’s game as the line finished -2 with Sam Bennett getting benched in the third period.
Tkachuk Scene of the Crime
Such an odd game last year between these two clubs. The suspension to Tkachuk, followed a few days later with another incident in Toronto, looked like a set back for the young winger, but now I’m wondering it was more of a turning point in becoming the player he his today.
From that point forward he seems to have refined his pest game, upped his offense, and found that line that has kept him in games, but still riling up the opposition.
Edmonton fans may not agree.
Is Johnny Gaudreau Finding a New Gear?
You don’t want to read that much into back to back four point games; they’re great and all, but certainly not a harbinger of a guy that will finish the season on a 320 point pace.
But it’s hard not to notice the 26 point month of December for the player, now being followed up with a great first game in January.
The league is changing; there’s more speed, skill, individual play, and goaltenders have been somewhat neutered with smaller pants and chest protectors. The perfect time for the pint sized Gaudreau to lay waste to the league.
Is he a super star now? I think we can say yes in a league that has reporters from several cities using the word generational far too often.
If Gaudreau finishes the season on his current pace he’ll put up 113 points. If he finishes the season on his December pace he’ll net 133 points.
Wouldn’t it be a story if he at least started the conversation of Kent Nilsson’s franchise record 131 set in the first season in Calgary?
Winning Draws
The Flames moved into a tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 3rd in the league for face offs this year at 52.2% with a shredding of the Wings tonight (58%).
In doing so, they won a lot of draws in their own zone creating an exit and less pressure from the Red Wings who were desperate to end a losing skid.
By zone the Flames are ranked 6th in win percentage in the offensive zone at 52.4%, 8th in defensive zone draws at 51.3%, and 6th in neutral zone draws at 52.8%.
Standings Implications
The Flames with the win, move two points up on the Winnipeg Jets for the lead in the conference, though the Jets have two games in hand.
In the Pacific, Calgary moves back to two points up on the Vegas Knights, with the Flames having two games in hand as the Knights beat the Kings yesterday. The Flames are five points up on the Sharks with even games played, though San Jose is currently up on Colorado going into the third period.
Almost as important, the Flames now lead the Ducks by nine full points with even games played, and have Edmonton by 15 with the Oilers still playing tonight.
Fancy Stats
Not the tightest of starts or games for the Flames playing a lesser light as the Flames were on the underside of shot attempts, scoring chances and high danger chances five on five. Calgary had 49% of the shot attempts, 45% of the scoring chances and 44% of the high danger chances, though they only gave up 9 (7-9).
In all situations, shot attempts were even at 50%, scoring chances at 44% Calgary, and high danger chances 44% as well.
Individually, the Flames were led by the top line with Sean Monahan (68%), Gaudreau (67%) and Elias Lindholm (65%) clearly having a solid night. Micheal Frolik was also in the 60s for Calgary. Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson, Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie were all above 50%. Dillon Dube at zero, Garnet Hathaway at 22% and James Neal at 26% had rough nights.
Sam Bennett and Mark Jankowski were both on the wrong side of the high danger split counts posting 0-4 and 0-5 marks on the night.
