Post-Game: Lightning crashes

Throughout this season, the Calgary Flames season has been punctuated by a series of steps forward followed immediately big a step backwards. Winning streaks followed by losing streaks. Challenges overcome, then self-imposed obstacles placed back in their own way.

The Flames headed into Tampa Bay on Thursday night to play the Lightning. Tampa is below the Flames in the standings. It seemed going in like a winnable game. The Flames weren’t perfect, but they were better than the Lightning in a 3-2 road victory.

Both teams had their chances early on, but it was the Lightning that struck first. Vladislav Namestnikov redirected Braydon Coburn’s shot past Brian Elliott to make it 1-0. The Flames had subsequent chances, including a power play breakaway for Troy Brouwer, but couldn’t bury ’em. Shots were 8-5 Flames.

Two goals in the span of 81 seconds swung the game towards the visitors. First, the 3M Line and the Giordano/Hamilton pairing had a really nice shift in the Tampa end. Every single skater touched the puck, ending with a Mikael Backlund redirect past Andrei Vasilevski to tie the game at 1-1.

81 seconds later, they struck again, as Sean Monahan whacked in an errant puck following an initial chance by Johnny Gaudreau. It was Monahan’s 100th career goal.

Shots were 10-7 Flames in the second.

The Lightning pressed for much of the third but the Flames defended pretty intelligently so not much came of it. Dougie Hamilton scored on a late power play to make it 3-1. Nikita Kucherov scored on a late Tampa PP to make it 3-2, but that’s as close as it got. Tampa Bay out-shot Calgary 13-7 in the third, but the Flames won.

As we’ve seen in the past few games, the Flames have been pretty even-keel. Even when they got down a goal tonight, they kept playing the same general style and didn’t get away from what’s gotten them this far. They gave up as much as they got on special teams, but they managed to generate more offense at even strength than their opponent. When that happens, your club will win most of the time.

The two goals to open the second period swung the game. Monahan’s goal, his 100th ever, ended a span of games where he seemingly did everything but score. Everyone in white seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when it went in for him, finally.

Hamilton had a point on each Flames goal and led the team in shots. He’s quietly been one of Calgary’s best players this season.

Also good tonight: Elliott, Giordano, Tkachuk, Backlund, Frolik, Gaudreau, Monahan, Ferland. Y’know, the usual folks.

Calgary’s win temporarily put them four points up on Los Angeles for the final wildcard spot, pending the Kings’ game against Boston.

With the win, Elliott’s above .500 (14-13-3) for the first time as a Flame.

Backlund has 43 points, three points up on Gaudreau (40 points) for the team lead in scoring. Monahan, Tkachuk and Hamilton are a smidge back with 39 points each.

The Flames (31-26-4) fly to South Florida after this game and they’re back in action tomorrow night against the red-hot Florida Panthers (featuring former Nation Network head honcho Thomas Drance).

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