The Calgary Flames battled a recent Pacific division rival, the Los Angeles Kings, to fight for a playoff spot. The Flames took this one in OT.
The Calgary Flames faced the Los Angeles Kings, a team who have recently over the last couple of years have become more of a Pacific division rival for the Flames. It was also Ben Bishop‘s debut as a King. It’s like a chess match, isn’t it? Bishops and Kings. Anyways, moving on.
Bishop was incredible, I have to give him that. He made 28 saves to help his team get one point in overtime. And both goals he let in, one was a turnover, and the other was a breakaway in overtime. It’s hard to stop those. Which is why this all earned him the third star of the game tonight.
Another player who was incredible and has been incredible as of late is Micheal Ferland. He scored his 12th of the season to tie this game up in the second period. He now has four goals in his last five games and seven in his last 13. Putting him on that first line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan may just be one of the best decision Glen Gulutzan has made all season long.
Calgary Flames
I mean, except for deciding to finally bench Dennis Wideman. But that’s a whole other topic.
The Calgary Flames had quite the spur on their powerplay in December and the start of January, but they have somewhat slowed down since. They went 0/2 on the pp tonight, but give the Kings credit. They have now killed off 32/32 of their last 13 road games.
This was also TJ Brodie‘s 400th career game and boy what a 400th game that was. Scoring the overtime goal and bringing your team to their fifth straight win? An awesome feeling. This was the Flames fifth straight win and they’re on a seven-game point streak right now. The Flames are also 10-2-1 in their last 13 games.
This was also the fourth straight game that the Flames allowed the first goal, but it seems to be beneficial for the team, since they’ve won all of those games.
Brian Elliott was also incredible tonight. He made 28 saves and allowed just one goal. Which didn’t even seem to be a goal since it seemed like his pad was pushed into the net, but you know how coach’s challenges go for the Flames. I don’t even remember the last time they won one. Elliott has also been awesome as of late and is finally giving the Flames what they need. He is 8-1-1 in his last ten games and he could definitely be the guy the Flames fall back on if they make the playoffs.
The last thing we’ll mention here is how the playoffs look now. The Flames now sit in the first wildcard spot and have five points on the St. Louis Blues who have two games on hand. The Flames have also increased their gap between the Kings. They’re now six points ahead of them with just one extra game played. They’re also now just two points back from the Anaheim Ducks and four points back from the Edmonton Oilers.
Boy, has this team done a complete 180, or what?
There’s also this:
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Glen Gulutzan that happy.
Oh and sorry everyone, but no Dougie photobomb tonight.
Edit: This just happened:
Next: Flames Rookie is Already Better Than Sam Bennett
The Flames are now 4-0-0 in Dougie photobombs. Coincidence?