POST GAME: Winnipeg, the lesser of the former Atlanta teams 4-1

A win at home sending the Flames into the Christmas break is about as great of a gift for fans as one can hope for. But how about a win where Johnny Gaudreau proves yet again how incredibly important he is to the future of the franchise?

Well you got one of those.

From the get-go, the Flames showed unrelenting life that often escapes them early on. An early powerplay (two games in a row!) marker from Johnny Gaudreau (scoring his 100th NHL point in his 115th regular season game) gave the Flames the early lead. From thereon, for much of the period Calgary continued to find ways to enter the zone, again capitalizing on intelligent passing and strategy as big, local boy Joe Colborne potted his fifth of the season. Despite their surging efforts, with mere seconds left in the first period a lapse by Matt Stajan sprung the Jets on a 3-on-1 which ended with Tyler Myers making it 2-1 to end the period.

Besides a great penalty kill and subsequent second chance by Mikael Backlund crashing the net, not a lot happened. A series of penalties from the Jets’ Mark Stuart (regarded as ‘honest’ by Kelly Hrudey) and a disgusting crosscheck from Jacob Trouba put the Flames on a 5-on-3. Of which resulted in zilch. Nothing. Nada. The Flames ended the second frame with a brief PP that would end up resulting in nothing again.

The final frame was an incredible affair. TJ Brodie, if he hasn’t made a case for the MVP of the team besides Gaudreau then it should be very close after his incredible save here preventing a sure-goal:

If you didn’t think it was possible for that to be topped, well you were wrong. Gaudreau’s second of the night, 14th of the season made it 3-1. And it was one of those memorable goals that likely will be part of a highlight package at the end of his career because Gaudreau straight up murdered Mark Scheifele. With the Jets’ net empty, Gaudreau solidified his second hat trick of the season to make it 4-1.

Shots 33-20 for the Flames as they cruised to their 10th straight win at the ‘Dome.

Numbers are even strength and courtesy of our friends at Natural Stat Trick.

Johnny Gaudreau. Well TJ Brodie too, and that Joe Colborne goal was also important too. But mostly Johnny Hockey. He is perfect, seriously. His point total this season, along with the incredible lead (12 points) he has over the next leading scorer (Sean Monahan) could be an indication of a future Hart trophy or a scoring title in his future. 

It’s Johnny. I don’t need to speak any further about this. Others who had a strong game (in no particular order): Micheal Ferland, Mikael Backlund, Markus Granlund, TJ Brodie, and Dougie Hamilton.

Christmas or Kwanzaa if you celebrate either of those. After that? The Oilers are in Calgary on the 27th for a delightful post-Christmas Battle of Alberta. 

Have a safe and special holiday with your family, friends.