Post-Game: Flames Run Streak To Nine Against Jets

The last time the Calgary Flames played in Winnipeg, they didn’t do too well. They were flat and played 60 minutes of uninspired hockey en route to being shut out by the Jets. In their do-over, they didn’t start out looking very good at all. However, the Flames were able to survive a terrible start to the first period and a flat start to the second. A pair of power play goals gave them life and they were able to skate to a 3-0 victory over the Jets at MTS Centre.

The win pushes the Flames’ winning streak to nine consecutive games (and extends their points streak to 11 games).

The Flames were BAD in the first 12 minutes of the first period. How bad? Really bad. Missed passes! Missed coverage! Missed shots! Missed everything! However, Brian Elliott was extremely sharp and kept the game scoreless. Sam Bennett drew a penalty off a sequence where the Flames chased down an errant pass to avoid an icing, then managed to create some pressure. Mikael Backlund had a monster shift on the ensuing power play, chipping the puck in and spending the next minute-or-so in dogged pursuit of it. Dougie Hamilton’s shot was stopped by Connor Hellebuyck, but Backlund chipped in the rebound to make it 1-0.

The Jets had many, many chances in the first, but that was the lone goal. Shots were 10-7 Calgary.

For a second straight period, the Flames came out flat to begin the next frame but the Jets couldn’t take advantage of it. Calgary killed off a Jets power play, then Sean Monahan drew a double-minor after Ben Chiarot’s stick drew blood. Once again, the Backlund (top) power play unit scored. With young Matthew Tkachuk creating havoc out front, Michael Frolik buried a loose puck to make it 2-0.

The Jets seemed to deflate after the Frolik goal and the Flames played sensible defense for the remainder of the period. Shots were 14-12 Winnipeg.

Calgary carried play for much of the third, with the team seemingly content to hang back and wait for Winnipeg to make mistakes. Elliott continued to make some nice saves. Alex Chiasson made it 3-0 off a nice feed from Sean Monahan during a shoddy Jets line change that left their defensive zone coverage a tad discombobulated during the Flames’ rush.

Shots were 9-7 Winnipeg.

When the Flames weren’t great, Elliott was. Once they got their legs going and started to play some hockey, the top two lines (and occasionally the fourth line) generated enough good chances to win. The Flames out-scored the Jets in terms of both special teams and even strength play. If you do that, you’ll win most nights.

The MTS Centre crowd seemed to deflate after the Frolik goal made it 2-0, as did the Jets. The insurance goal allowed the Flames the confidence to play smart defensive hockey without worry, and they confidently rode their lead to the very end.

Elliott. 31 saves, including a few real dandies in the first 25 minutes of this game where the Flames seemed to be struggling to put two clean passes together.

The 3M Line and the Hamilton/Giordano pairing were also really good, as we’ve become accustomed to seeing.

With their efforts tonight, both Backlund (48) and Hamilton (44) have set new career highs for points. The Flames have 14 games remaining, so they’ll extend those new bests.

There was an awesome fight between Bennett and Jacob Trouba in the late second period. Both players were bloodied.

The Flames magic number to clinch a playoff spot began the night at 12.5. The win dropped their magic number to 11.5, meaning any combination of Flames wins or Kings losses adding up to 11.5 cements their playoff spot. The Kings play Washington in the late game tonight, so the number may drop to 10.5 by the end of the night’s play.

Oh yeah…

The win bumps the Flames into second place in the Pacific. They’re tied with Anaheim but have the edge in regulation and overtime wins (ROW). Edmonton has a game in hand, but will spend the night in the first wildcard position.

The Flames (38-26-4) head back to Calgary tonight and they’re off tomorrow. They’re back at it on Monday night when they host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the ‘Dome.