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Calgary Flames: Five Reasons They Made It To The Playoffs

By Ramina Shlah

Mar 31, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) celebrate win with teammates against the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) celebrate win with teammates against the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) celebrates after a goal during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) celebrates after a goal during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

DOUGIE HAMILTON

Dougie Hamilton is arguably having his best season of his career this year. He has already beaten his career-high in points with still three games left in the regular season. He has 49 points in 78 games right now.

Him and his defensive partner, captain Mark Giordano, have been the best defensive duo for the Flames this season, ever since they were paired up earlier this season. Dougie this season has a +/- of 12 which is tied for second on the team and Gio has +21, a team lead. Much better compared to Dougie last season where he had -14, which was second worst on the team, and many fans thought he was a waste of a trade.

Just for fun, Gio had -5 last season, so much like what happened with the Stone trade, Dougie’s also helping out the people around him.

Related Story: Flames Daily: Dougie Hamilton

After a bit of a slow and rough start and some trade rumors, Dougie owes his season moving upwards by being paired with Giordano.

Via Sportsnet:

"“He’s been real solid all year. He’s having a great year statistically as you can see, but he’s really taken a step for us in other areas too.” said head coach Glen Gulutzan. Like in the locker-room, where the quiet, cerebral Toronto native is so well liked – and needed – his playing partner, Mark Giordano, jokingly offered to massage his injured ankle to ensure he’s able to stay in the lineup. “I’ll take it,” chuckled Hamilton, whose promotion to the top pairing this year says plenty about his continued progress. “This year has been a lot of fun. It obviously wasn’t the best start for me or the team, but I got to play with Gio and kind of changed everything. Playing against the other teams’ top lines is a lot different.”"

The numbers say it too that Gio and Dougie are arguably one of, if not the best defence pairing in the entire league.

And how could we not mention Dougie here when we love being Dougie photobombs so much:

I mean, we’re practically bffs now. It would just be rude for me to not mention him.

Next: No new arena means no more Calgary Flames?

Well, there you have it! The Calgary Flames managed to enter the playoffs for just the second time in eight years. And boy, will this ever mean a lot to captain Mark Giordano, who hasn’t played in the playoffs with the Flames since 2007, his rookie season.

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