Good afternoon Calgary Flames fans! The Flames are coming off a big win and will be back at it again tonight to face the Florida Panthers.
The Calgary Flames are in nice and sunny Florida right now as Calgary has had a lot of snow these last couple of days. It seems that every time it gets really cold in Calgary or there’s a lot of snow, the guys are on a road trip.
The Flames came off of a big win last night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Brian Elliott stopped 23 of 25 shots and Sean Monahan FINALLY got his 100th career goal, making him the youngest Flame ever in franchise history to reach 100 goals. This is also his fourth-consecutive season having at least 20 goals.
With that win and the LA Kings losing last night as well, the Flames are now in a much more comfortable spot than they were heading into last night’s game. They have four points on the Kings with only one game on hand. They’re also only one point back of the Nashville Predators with only one game on hand as well.
However, I do want the Flames to stay in that last wildcard spot. If they stay there, they’ll most likely play the Minnesota Wild and they’d have a very good shot at making it past the first round.
For some more about the win last night, go here.
Post-game comments
What’s a big post-game win without some post-game comments?
Calgary Flames
Via CalgaryFlames.com:
"“They know at this time of year it’s going to be a grind,” coach Glen Gulutzan said. “It’s going to be a real north-south game. I thought we played a lot faster in the last few games. There’s certainly a build-up of belief starting in that locker-room.”“It’s really how everyone’s playing together,” Elliott said. “When people are on the same page and talking to each other and supporting each other out there it just makes the game a little easier. We did a good job of doing that tonight. That’s the momentum that you’re building. The chemistry.”"
Like I mentioned, Monahan became the youngest Flame in franchise history to reach 100 goals at 22 years and 134 days. The player who held the record before him was Joe Nieuwendyk at 22 years and 185 days. Let’s see how Monny felt about this.
"“That’s pretty cool,” Monahan said. “He probably played less games, but he’s a great player and someone I actually idolized as a kid. That’s pretty cool to be recognized there with him.”"
Facing the Panthers
Tonight, the Calgary Flames will get right back in it to face the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are also in the running still for a playoff spot. They’re two points back but have one game on hand on the New York Islanders who currently hold that second wild-card spot. So this game will definitely have a playoff feel to it.
This game will be the second meeting between these two teams. The Flames took the first one 5-2 back in January.
Tonight, the Flames have decided to go with Chad Johnson in net. Gulutzan had previously employed a win-and-start goaltending method, however with back-to-back games, he has decided to give Elliott some rest. And now Johnson could have another chance to prove himself and if he wins, he may get the start next game as well.
Via Calgaryflames.com:
"“The team’s kind of a on a little bit of a roll here and for myself, I’m excited to get back in there and keep things going.” said Chad Johnson. “For myself, I prepare every day as if I’m playing. I can only control what I can control as a goalie. The situation we’re obviously in here, we need to get wins and the hot hand will play. Ells’ is obviously hot right now and he deserves to get on a bit of a roll. For myself, you wait it out and when I get my opportunity, just try and help the team win. That’s hockey.”"
The projected lineup looks almost the same as yesterday’s game, just the crease is different. But why would they change it? Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
Some links surrounding the Flames to get you through your afternoon
Game day: Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers (Calgary Herald).
Flames made a dandy draft choice with Sean Monahan, now one of NHL’s top snipers (Calgary Herald).
Preview: Flames @ Panthers (Calgary Flames).
Some other links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Five things we learned in the NHL: Andersen’s best as a Leaf (Sportsnet).
NHL, You Can Play spread message of inclusion (CBC Sports).
Four NHL trade deadline targets for bargain hunters (Sportsnet).
Next: Dennis Wideman Willing to Waive No-Movement Clause
That’s all in this edition of Flames Daily! Let’s hope Johnson proves that the Flames don’t need to worry about the crease at trade deadline.