The Calgary Flames are now on a two-game win streak and have won for the first time in St. Louis since 2011. Is this team finally looking like a playoff contender for the first time this season?
The Calgary Flames won 4-1 against the St. Louis Blues Tuesday night and have their first two-game win streak of the season. They are now 3-4-1 and have finally won a game in regulation.
Thanks to Brian Elliott, who stopped 23 of 24 shots, the Flames had a successful two-game road trip. Speaking of Elliott, he went back to St. Louis and played in his old arena for the first time since he got traded in the off-season. Elliott has now stopped 54 of the last 57 shots he has faced, giving him a 0.947 save percentage. I’d also like to note that the three goals he let in were hard shots to stop. One was a giveaway in the Flames own zone, one was an unfortunate bounce off a defenseman, and the third, today, was from a 5-on-3 power play. So definitely not at fault of the net-minder.
Bit of an improvement from his first three games of the season, don’t you think?
He also managed to get a star of the game for the second night in a row and he’s finally starting to look like Brian Elliott again.
Now onto more ties with St. Louis…
Tkachuky Cheese Goes Home
Matthew Tkachuk went back home and played in an arena that he grew up in. Watching his dad, Keith Tkachuk, play in that arena for almost ten years then finally playing his first NHL game in the same building must have been special for the rookie. Especially with his family and friends coming out to watch him play.
Unfortunately, even with some good chances, Tkachuk wasn’t able to find the back of the net tonight. Of course there are still concerns whether or not he’ll play the entire season with the Calgary Flames or if he’ll be sent down. But earlier today, Flames GM Brad Treliving told Sportsnet media that it’s completely up to Tkachuk and what he does in these next few days.
Tkachuk was all over the puck tonight and even got into a couple of scrums. I have no doubt in my mind he’s going to be proving himself these next few games and play a full rookie season in the NHL.
No Déjà Vu for Bennett
Sam Bennett had a pretty successful night, racking up a goal and an assist, and finding his way as first star of the game. He’s now on a three-game point streak and his season is already starting to look up after last year.
Bennett had a bit of a scoring drought early on in the season last year and didn’t have the full rookie season he was hoping for. Now with five points in eight games, he has definitely proved himself as a number #2 center-man. Certainly doing more than the Flames current top line.
Next: Concerns For Brian Elliott Are Out The Door
Things might finally start looking up for the Flames, but I don’t want to say anything for sure. I’m too scared of jinxing it.
Maybe it was this team’s plan all along. Fool everyone into thinking you’re not a team to look out for just to come out and surprise everyone.
(I’ll keep telling myself that to make myself feel better).