Calgary Flames Daily: Potentially different line combinations?
By Ramina Shlah
In a strong win against the Winnipeg Jets last night, the Calgary Flames won their first home-opener in six years. Let’s check out some more Flames news.
In a decent effort by the Calgary Flames offence last night, they still trailed 3-1 after 20 minutes of play from slightly sloppy defence against the Winnipeg Jets. But they definitely woke up in the second period. They scored four goals in the second and five unanswered to finish the game 6-3. The Flames won their first home-opener in six years.
Via Sportsnet:
"With his team trailing 3-1 through 20 minutes, Glen Gulutzan’s message to his team was simple – start playing your game. Don’t worry about Connor McDavid’s speed or Patrik Laine’s shot or about what the Oilers did or the Jets are doing – just play your game. The Flames response? Five unanswered goals and a 6-3 come-from-behind win."
Related Story: Flames score five unanswered to win home opener
Their win was of course through the help of T.J. Brodie who scored two goals and had four points. A tie for a career-high for him, with the stands chanting his name in the hopes he would complete the hat trick.
Johnny Gaudreau also had four points last night – one goal and three assists. Why this happened? Well through the second period, the coaching staff decided to change the lines up a little bit. Kris Versteeg joined the top line alongside Sean Monahan and Micheal Ferland while Johnny Gaudreau joined the third line alongside Sam Bennett and Curtis Lazar. And boy, did that ever pay off.
Calgary Flames
Curtis Lazar also had a great night last night. Easily his best game in a Calgary Flames jersey. There was one particular play where he was down low by the Jets net with a great battle for the puck that eventually led to a goal by Johnny Gaudreau, with another assist from T.J. Brodie. Brodie also made a smart move on that play. Instead of attempting to go for the hat trick, and as Steve Mason was expecting him to shoot, Brodie noticed an open Johnny Gaudreau, passed it, and it made for a beautiful goal. That was probably my favourite goal last night.
But back to Curtis Lazar. I mentioned this last night on Twitter, but Lazar had 11:04 TOI, +2, CF: 17 and CA: 6 (Natural Stat Trick). He was a great player and earned that third star of the game. He’s been playing well alongside Bennett’s wing.
But now, Jaromir Jagr still needs to fit into the lineup somehow. And we’ll most likely be seeing Jagr on that third line and Lazar moving to the fourth line. So hopefully, we’ll see Troy Brouwer (who was somewhat invisible last night) sit on the bench and Lazar get the ice-time instead of the other way around.
And maybe we’ll be seeing more shifting around of line combos and more shifting around of Johnny Gaudreau. Looks like we’ll have to wait till Jagr’s debut to see.
Some links surrounding the Flames
3 Thoughts: Flames 6, Jets 3 (Sportsnet).
Brodie comes up big for Calgary Flames in win over Winnipeg Jets (Sportsnet).
Calgary Flames’ Travis Hamonic gives back to community after losing dad at young age (Calgary Sun).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Tampa Bay Lightning’s J.T. Brown raises fist during national anthem (FanSided).
NHL-less Olympics gives Europe-based players a shot at glory (Sportsnet).
Golden Knights in elite company (NHL.com).
Walker’s family witnesses history, Capitals fans go wild for Australian (NHL.com).
J.T. Brown becomes 1st NHL player to protest during anthem (CBC Sports).
Next: Five games to circle in your calendar for 2017-18
That’s all in today’s Flames Daily! I’m still chanting “Brodie! Brodie!” by myself in my house.