Calgary Flames: Three Stars of the Week February 27

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The Calgary Flames had an incredible week, going 3-0-0 to extend their win streak to seven games. Every player was great this week, but let’s see the three stars.

The Calgary Flames had one of their best weeks yet and it’s coming at just the right time. They went 3-0-0 this week to extend their win-streak to seven games. A season high for them and the longest active win-streak in the NHL right now.

They’re now in the first wild-card spot and are tied for points with the Anaheim Ducks, who sit in third in the Pacific division. They’re also just two points back from the Edmonton Oilers who sit in second. Safe to say that they’re not long just trying to stay in the running anymore.

Moving on to the players.

To be honest, EVERY player was fantastic this week. I truly don’t have anything bad to say about anybody’s play this week. Wow, see what happens when the Flames bench Dennis Wideman? Actually, speaking of which, the Flames are now 7-0-0 with Wideman out of the lineup. Go figure, hey?

THIRD STAR

Mikael Backlund

Mikael Backlund, or as the team now refers to him as, Mikael Selke continues to impress. Every single player named Mike who is on the Calgary Flames is an excellent player. Backlund had one goal and two assists this week. Three points in three games, that’s not too shabby. However, what is impressive is with his one assist he had in the game against the New York Islanders to end the Flames week on a high note, that tied his career-high in points.

He now has 47 points in 66 games. His highest came last year which was 47 points in 82 games. He’s also just one goal from hitting his personal-high as well, 21 goals, which also came last season. He’s currently projected at earning 58 points this season and 24 goals. Him having the season of his career is an understatement.

And this week too is when some other players on the Flames decided that his new name is now Mikael Selke (the Selke trophy is awarded to the forward who ‘demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game).

Via Calgaryflames.com:

More from Editorials Flames captaincy updates and candidate rankings Luck, Goalies & Coaching: Three Questions for the 2023/24 Calgary Flames Predicting the Calgary Flames leadership group under Captain Andersson The Case for Captain Huberdeau Calgary Flames Prospect Countdown: No. 7 “He’s known as Mikael Selke around here,” freshman linemate Matthew Tkachuk told one and all. “Should he be in the conversation?” says Flames general manager Brad Treliving. “100%. In my time here, Backs is a guy who’s really been under the radar. Doesn’t get the accolades but there’s a reason the coaches play him all the time – because he does everything right. “It’s not easy playing against top guys every night, taking every defensive-zone draw. Glen (Gulutzan) and I joke: ‘We do everything we can to put Backs 10 feet under water to start every game.’ “He touches so many parts of the game. Plays both sides of special teams. First over the boards for the big faceoff. First over the boards on the penalty kill. You can count those guys on one hand – Kopitar, Toews, Bergeron. “Those guys help you win. “Mikael’s put himself into that category.”

Will Mikael Backlund be a legitimate Selke trophy contender? Of course, I’m going to say yes because I’m biased. However, Treliving has a point. You can count the best defensive-forwards on one hand.

And Backlund definitely falls into the same topic of conversation as those guys. He’s been underestimated basically his entire career and people are just now finally starting to recognize his skill.

That’s why he made it as our third star this week. If I can, he’d be a star of the week every week. He’s been one of the Flames most consistent players all season long.

SECOND STAR

TJ Brodie

Time for another underrated player in this league. TJ Brodie has struggled quite a bit this season. Well, not so much that he has struggled. But his defensive partner wasn’t exactly the best and it sort of brought him down (cough cough Dennis Wideman cough cough).

But ever since the Calgary Flames acquired Michael Stone in a trade from the Arizona Coyotes, Brodie’s had a lot of improvement. His +/- is definitely happy he doesn’t have Wideman as a pairing. Since Dennis Wideman has been out of the lineup (seven games now), Brodie’s +/- is 4. Before that, it was -25. Even more, since starting the game with Michael Stone as his pairing (six games ago), his +/- is 6.

This week, Brodie had two goals and one assists in three games with a +/- of 2. One goal came as the game-winner in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings when he was on a breakaway.

(Skip to 3:35 to see his OT winner).

Safe to say that not having some sort of anchor bringing you down affects your play completely. I’m glad that Brodie is finally showcasing his abilities and how well he can perform when given the right teammates. He’s definitely an underrated defenseman, and I’m glad he’s finally able to perform like he knows he can and like the team knows he can.

FIRST STAR

Brian Elliott

No words can begin to describe how much we should all be thankful for Brian Elliott. After starting the season not quite like he was hoping, he’s definitely found his game. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Elliott this week was absolutely spectacular. He went 3-0-0, had a save percentage of .950 and GAA of 1.62. In the 101 shots that he faced, he only let in five goals. And in no game did he allow more than two goals this week, even when facing over 30 shots in two of the games.

Since the All-Star break, Elliott has finally been the goaltender the Calgary Flames have been needing. And he’s finally being the Elliott the Flames traded for. Since the All-Star break, he has the second best record of all goaltenders in the league, right after Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals, who are also on a hot-streak themselves.

He is 9-1-1 since the break and is currently on a six-game win streak. If he keeps this up all season long, the Flames won’t just barely get by. The top guys will definitely have some competition.

And if (crossing my fingers and trying not to jinx anything) the Flames make it to the playoffs, he will definitely be the guy the team will turn to. And he’ll definitely be a big factor in their playoff race. Similar to Brodie, I’m glad that he’s finally found his game. It could not have come at a better time. He’s a big reason for the Flames seven-game win streak and a big reason they’ve had such a successful February.

Next: Flames Extend Win Streak to Season High Seven Games

Well, that’s all for the three stars of last week! Is there someone you would have liked to see instead of one of these three?

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