Calgary Flames: Five Reasons Their Season Has Turned Around

THE TOP LINE

First of all, there are many debates as to whether the first line on the Calgary Flames (Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Micheal Ferland) should be called the top line when many think the ~second line~ should be a ‘top line’. However for arguments sake, we’re going to be calling it the top/first line for now.

It’s no secret that the top line has struggled a lot for most of the season. They’re not what they once were and Johnny gaudreau and Sean Monahan weren’t producing like they should have been. At one point, it seemed that Gaudreau was starting to get his game back in early November. But unfortunately, he got injured and would end up missing ten games. Then the start of December rolled around, Gaudreau was back in the lineup, and him and Monahan seemed to be on fire again. Well, only for a couple of weeks.

Related Story: Monahan And Gaudreau Finally Living Up To Their Payroll

But Monahan and Gaudreau aren’t who I want to talk about right now.

Troy Brouwer has been on that top line alongside Monny and Johnny. Before the season started, I was hoping it would be somewhat of a Jiri Hudler with those two in the 2014-2015 season and how unstoppable and incredible that line was.

However, things didn’t exactly go as planned and Brouwer didn’t seem to be a good fit with Monahan and Gaudreau. So in the same game where Michael Stone made his Flame debut against the Nashville Predators on February 21st, another change in the lineup happened. The Calgary Flames decided to try out putting Micheal Ferland on that top line.

Ferland > Brouwer

In that game against Nashville, putting Ferland has proved to a good move right away. He scored 46 seconds into the game and scored later in the first period as well. His first multi-goal game in his career.

Ever since Ferland’s been on that top line, they’ve been contributing. Since Ferland has been on that top line in the game against the Preds, Gaudreau has nine points in seven games, Monahan has eight points in seven games, and Ferland has five points in seven games, and all five of his points were goals. Before that, Ferland had eight goals in 55 games.

All three guys are also +9 in this seven game span, which tied tied for the team lead. All three are also tied for third highest +/- in the league. Before this, Gaureau’s +/ was -18, Monahan’s was -16, and Ferland’s was -8.

Calgary Flames

Via Calgary Herald:

"“He’s sneakily skilled,” Gaudreau said of Ferland. “Guys look at him just as a fighter and a big tough guy, but he’s smart with the puck. He’s intelligent, he can read the play and he has a great shot, too. He played great (Tuesday) for us and it was good to get a bit of chemistry there.”"

And I know I’ve given lots of grief to Calgary Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan, but this was a very smart (clearly) move to make.

"“I thought that he could give them a little energy,” said Flames bench boss Glen Gulutzan. “Obviously, I didn’t think he’d pot two right away, but he has that ability.” “All the coaches tell me, ‘When you have a chance to shoot the puck, just shoot the puck,’ ” Ferland said. “I think last year and the year before, too, I would always look to pass first before I would look to shoot. And now, I think, just being kind of selfish and shooting the puck more.”"

Please, for all us Ferland. Continue to be selfish and shoot the puck.