Post-Game: The Streak Turns 10 Against the Pens

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a really good hockey team. They were missing eight regulars for Monday night’s contest against the Calgary Flames but make no mistake about it, they’re a damn fine hockey club. The Calgary Flames are the hottest team in the National Hockey League and they had their hands full all evening long at the Saddledome. It was 65 thrilling minutes of action, with the Flames narrowly grinding out a 4-3 shootout victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The victory pushes the Flames a little bit closer to a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs and stretches their winning streak to a franchise record tying 10 games.

The Flames were back on their heels early, as the Penguins attacked their zone with speed and numbers. It was that strategy that paid dividends for the visitors early, as after a near-miss on a previous approach the trio of Conor Sheary, Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby combined for a nice passing sequence and a tap-in goal for Sheary to make it 1-0.

The home side seemed to adjust, though, and ended up tying the game roughly 10 minutes later off a very clever sequence from the fourth line resulted in a nice goal. Alex Chiasson entered the zone and gave the puck to Deryk Engelland, who pinched to the outside of the face-off circle and flung the puck into the slot, where it careened in off a defender’s stick to make it 1-0. (Matt Stajan initially got credit.)

But the Penguins struck again two minutes later, with Michael Frolik serving a minor penalty. Lance Bouma got hung up trying to suppress the zone entry, leading to the other Flames defenders stopping in their tracks. Some nifty passing later, treating Engelland like a mere obstacle, and Evgeni Malkin had a tap-in to make it 2-1.

Shots were 12-10 Pittsburgh.

The Flames tied the game early in the second period on a goal from an unlikely source: Dennis Wideman. 94 seconds into the middle frame, Wideman’s fluttering shot careened off Ron Hainsey’s glove and past Marc-Andre Fleury – Sam Bennett took a couple wild swipes at the puck but only hit air – to make it 2-2.

The remainder of the period was fairly end to end, with the Penguins getting the better of the shots and chances (partially because they had two power plays to Calgary’s one). The Flames did struggle at times to make simple outlet plays and spent a lot of time in their own end. Shots were 12-7 Pittsburgh.

The Flames took a lead in the third period on the power play off a gorgeous individual effort by their smallest, most offensively-gifted player.

With about four minutes left the Flames got hemmed in by the Penguins. A Conor Sheary shot eluded Elliott’s glove hand by way of a Sidney Crosby tip. The goal was challenged but counted, tying the game. Shots were 11-5 Flames in the third.

It was off to overtime! Mark Giordano took a high-sticking penalty, leading to a white-knuckle penalty kill for the Flames to get to the shootout. Shots were 6-2 in overtime.

Kris Versteeg did this in the shootout to earn Calgary the extra point.

The Flames have gone as far as their goalie and the five best players (Giordano, Hamilton, Backlund, Frolik and Tkachuk) could carry them. Tonight, their five best players weren’t great, and it was their depth guys that chipped in and got them two points.

They played a better team, never really changed course despite trailing early, and managed to put themselves in a situation where the bounces could get them two points.

The Giordano penalty in overtime could’ve sunk the Flames entirely. They had a built-in excuse for a loss. Their penalty killers – particularly their goaltender – were excellent during that two minutes and gave the team a chance to get the second point.

Elliott was superb, with 32 saves. He kept the Flames in this one early.

Stick-taps to the Stajan line, who were very effective.

The Flames are now 7-6-1 when tied heading into the third period.

At 10 games, this is the longest Flames winning streak since the fall of 1978.

We’re still waiting on the NHL’s “official” explanation regarding the Crosby goal and the coach’s challenge. My best guess is they’ll be arguing that players are allowed to try to play the puck. Based on Crosby getting credit for the goal, their judgment was he made contact with the puck before he made contact with the glove.

“It’s an important time of year, obviously, to get and trying to push for the playoffs. To put together a streak like this at this time of year, we control our own fate down the stretch. We’re beating some good teams, we’re playing some good hockey, but we’ve still got a ways to go. We’ve got to stick with it and play with that confidence.” – Flames captain Mark Giordano on his team’s recent string of wins.

“I think that’s what you need through teams, each line stepping up on any given night especially if you’re going to string wins together. After kind of game 20, 25, I thought we started to build belief in this team that we could win on every night. We went through a good run there early on, had a little dip in January, but besides that since November we’ve been pretty rock solid as a team and giving ourselves a chance to win no matter how we feel or how we play every night.” – Flames winger Kris Versteeg on his team’s run of play.

The Flames magic number to clinch a playoff spot began the night at 11.5. Calgary’s victory over Pittsburgh dropped it to 10.5 and Los Angeles’ loss to St. Louis dropped it to 9.5 Any combination of 9.5 Flames wins and Kings losses results in the Flames heading to the post-season.

The Flames (39-26-4) practice tomorrow, then are back at it on Wednesday night when they host the Boston Bruins.