Calgary Flames: Is Brian Elliott this team's X Factor for the playoffs?

After having a rocky start to the season, losing the starting job in the process, Brian Elliott has finally found his groove that once helped him become one of the NHL’s elite. Now the Calgary Flames are returning to the playoffs after missing out last season. Brian Elliott will need to be that workhorse to help give the Calgary Flames the best chance to win the Stanley Cup.

With Brian Elliott being a new acquisition in the off-season for the Calgary Flames, this is how his season has gone statistically:

From October 5 to December 31: Brian Elliott was rocking a 3.07 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a 0.890 Save Percentage.

Brian Elliott was in the bottom of the league in every major category. It seemed almost inevitable for Brian Elliott’s days in Calgary to be numbered. He had lost the starting job but then, the calendar year turned to 2017 and it was like a switched had turned.

From January 1 to March 23: Brian Elliott is 4th In the NHL in Save % (Min. 15 games played) and is boasting a 2.13 GAA and a 0.924 Save Percentage.

What a difference half a season makes, as Elliott turned a corner and has been a catalyst in the recent resurgence down the stretch here for the Calgary Flames. Elliott seems to be heating up at the right time, with the playoffs on the horizon for the team.

Nov 12, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) makes a save against the New York Rangers during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. New York Rangers won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Why will Brian Elliott be the Flames X Factor in the playoffs?

Simple answer actually. He can steal a series, and he has the trust of his management. He did it for St. Louis a season ago.The savvy veteran was arguably the St. Louis Blues best player in their opening round dogfight with the Chicago Blackhawks, ending in a series win for the Blues.

The following round, he out-dueled Kari Lethonen and Antti Niemi during a seven game series against the Dallas Stars, advancing the team to their first Western Conference Finals in fifteen years. During the run last year, Brian Elliott posted a 2.44 GAA and a 0.921 Save % in 18 games.

The stats do not paint the entire picture though, where Elliott was left hangout to dry in certain games when the team in front of him played atrociously (Game 6 in Chicago as an example). If it wasn’t for the coaching staffs mismanagement of Brian Elliott’s utilization in the Conference Finals, the St. Louis Blues could have potentially made the Stanley Cup Finals. But then again, they were defeated in six games and Elliott requested a trade to pursue a starting role. Here we are today with him as the Flames starting goaltender.

No Worry About Mismanagement – You Have The Green Light

Calgary Flames

Elliott has put up quality numbers for years despite the lack of trust from the management in St. Louis. The Blues had Jaroslav Halak pegged ahead of Elliott in 2013. They even went all in at the 2014 Trade Deadline to acquire Ryan Miller. Even homegrown Jake Allen was pinned higher on the depth chart than Elliott. Finally, Elliott got to showcase that he was the real deal last spring, and St. Louis gave him away to the Flames. As you could see there, he lacked the trust and confidence of management in St. Louis.

Calgary’s management and coaching staff are the complete opposite in that predicament. It could of been easy for Brad Treliving to write off Elliott for the year. The GM could have grabbed another grizzled veteran to backstop the team, but he chose against that option. The organization stuck with Elliott, and their decision has paid off in dividends. He appears to look like a near carbon copy to the goaltender that was selected to two All Star Games in his career. This guy is good, and he is finally getting the credibility he deserves.

You decide, is Brian Elliott The Flames X Factor?

With Brian Elliott back on track, posting lights out numbers in 2017, especially in the recent month and a half. He has been a catalyst in the Flames recent winning streak and he will be their X-Factor come April. Rock solid goaltending allows the team that safety blanket. Elliott provides that and it will allow for this team to go further than the expert analysts think they will.

Mar 11, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) makes a glove save during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /

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