Calgary Flames Daily: Mike Smith shutting out former team
In a 3-0 win for the Calgary Flames last night vs. the Arizona Coyotes, Mike Smith also shutout his former team. More on that here.
The Calgary Flames came back from their 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday evening. They started their homestand not how they hopped it would go with that loss vs. the Leafs. But they redeemed themselves last night against the Arizona Coyotes, where Mike Smith got his first start against his former team since being acquired by Calgary.
Smith had a 3-0 shutout last night vs. his old club. His second of the season and 35th of his career. His first ever career shutout also came against the Coyotes, which is somewhat funnily ironic.
He stopped all 28 shots he faced to help the Flames get their 3-0 win and earn their way back to a Pacific Division spot after falling out of a playoff spot all together after Tuesday’s game.
Related Story: Mike Smith top five best moments
Via Calgary Flames:
“Obviously it feels good to beat them, the shutout’s a bonus, but the way we beat them was a lot more rewarding for me,” said Smith. “I think the last time I shut out the Coyotes was my first game in the NHL, so it’s been a long time since I did that.”“The first period was a little busy but not a whole lot of tough chances,” said Smith. “It was a solid effort from our group. We blocked a ton of shots and did a lot of good things in front of me.”
The Flames were much stronger defensively than they were vs. the Maple Leafs. There’s still some work to do, but at least they were able to clear their zones easier.
Mark Jankowski also notched a pair of goals last night. He now has more multi-goal games in his career than single-goal games. Sam Bennett is also on a two-game point streak while Johnny Gaudreau hasn’t scored a point in his last two games. Funny how the world works, I guess.
His first goal in the game came from a rebound from Jaromir Jagr where Jankowski went between his legs to give the Flames the first goal of the game.
Via Calgary Sun:
“The first one was kind of nice, it was a little Monny-ish in Ottawa, going between the legs,” Gulutzan said. “The skill, the patience — but you know what has impressed me about that young man is just his 200-foot game and his responsibility within the game, managing the game within the game. He’s done that really well . . . when you fulfill a need . . . now you’re starting to see some chemistry build in the third line.”
Some links surrounding the Flames
Flames Thoughts: Jankowski, Bennett picking up steam for Calgary (Sportsnet).
Smith Earns the Last Laugh Against Coyotes (The Hockey Writers).
Fernie mayor thanks Flames for ‘beautiful gesture’ of outdoor rink after 3 men died in ammonia leak (CBC News).
Mike Smith, Mark Jankowski come up big as Flames blank Coyotes (Calgary Sun).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Daniel Sedin record 1,000th career point with Vancouver Canucks (FanSided).
FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy Hockey lineup December 1, 2017 (FanSided).
5 NHL players thriving or stumbling after switching positions this season (Sportsnet).
It isn’t easy being No. 2: Best & worst NHL backup goalies this season (The Hockey News).
Next: What's going on with T.J. Brodie?
That’s all in today’s Calgary Flames Daily! Tune into Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night for another edition of the Battle of Alberta.