Post-Game: Flames dampen Carolina’s afternoon

The 2016-17 edition of the Calgary Flames have been incredibly productive on the road. Maybe it’s because they’re away from distractions. Maybe they feel less pressure. Maybe they feel they have to play a more direct, simple game because they can’t control match-ups via last change, but for whatever reason, the Flames have been superb on the road.

The Flames polished off one of their best road trip performances of the season – and one that came at the perfect time for their playoff aspirations – with a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. They captured nine of a possible 10 points on their five game road stretch.

The Flames were kinda flat early, playing like a team that was hoping they could get this game over with and then go home and take a nap. With Sam Bennett in the penalty box, former Calgary Hitmen forward Victor Rask scored on a screened Brian Elliott to make it 1-0 Carolina. The Flames picked it up a bit as the period wore on, but couldn’t score. Shots were 9-9 and Carolina had the better chances.

Thankfully for them, the Flames carried forward their energy from the end of the first into the second. Midway through the period, Johnny Gaudreau sprung Micheal Ferland on a breakaway and Ferland beat Eddie Lack to make it 1-1.

Gaudreau and Ferland were both buzzing in the second period. Gaudreau in particular was superb on one shift that ended with him getting his own rebound, twice, and beat Lack through traffic to make it 2-1.

He might have to put some money in the swear jar, as his vocal celebration was caught by Sportsnet’s cameras and microphones. Shots were 13-10 Carolina, but the Flames had the better chances.

The Flames kept at it in the third, defending well and not really over-committing to anything in the offensive zone. Off a slick zone entry and some nice criss-cross skating that confused Carolina’s defenders, Gaudreau made it 3-1 with his second of the game.

Carolina pulled Lack and pressed late, but really couldn’t get anything solid on net. Shots 13-4 Carolina in the period, but they really didn’t generate too much and the game ended 3-1 for the visitors.

This will make me sound like a broken record, but the Flames just kept doing their thing. They’ve stuck to their system over the past seven or eight games and have gotten rewarded at even strength. Once again, their special teams weren’t amazing, but they didn’t need to be. They generated more than enough at even strength and did so without opening up their coverage too much or allowing Carolina many good looks.

If they keep playing this way over the next 19 games, they’ll be in the playoffs.

Honestly, Matt Stajan’s shot block in the first period may have saved the game. With Elliott sprawling and Carolina buzzing (and leading 1-0), Stajan slid into the crease and blocked a shot off his upper body. It kept the game close and gave the Flames the kick in the ass they needed to get going.

Gaudreau’s first goal, the eventual game winner, was also quite the swing point for the game.

Let’s go with Ferland, who was unstoppable in the second period. Gaudreau had three points and was great, but Ferland was the catalyst for the Flames when they needed one early.

Also good today: Elliott, Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie, Stone, Backlund, Monahan, Tkachuk and Frolik.

Gaudreau’s three point game has him one point behind Backlund for the team scoring race. (Not tied. One point back.)

The Flames are now six points up on the Los Angeles Kings for the final wildcard spot. The Kings have two games in hand, though.

The Flames (32-26-4) head home this evening. They’re off tomorrow and back on the ice for a huge game on Tuesday night against the Kings.

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