Calgary Flames three stars of the week: January 29 – February 04
The Calgary Flames didn’t have as successful as a week as they would have liked. That being said, let’s still look at the three stars of the week.
Well, it started out quite disappointing for the Calgary Flames, but at least they finished the week off on a high note. They went 1-2-0 in the week and got to a six-game losing streak as well. In a game that seemed like they were going to win vs. the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, they lost in the last two minutes of the game where they allowed the Knights to score two goals in 10 seconds after a fluke pass.
That was their first regulation loss of 2018 and their first regulation loss since last season when leading after two periods. Then on Thursday vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning, they were again leading after two periods, 4-3, but they lost 7-4 in regulation as well. They went a season and a half with losing no games in regulation when leading after two periods. Then lost two in a row.
But then Saturday evening came and this time, they weren’t leading, which is probably good for the team. They were down 3-2 and managed to tie it up around the midway mark of the third period. This game went to overtime. There was a point where Flames fans were excited whenever the team went to OT, but after four straight losses in OT/SO, that excitement faded. But luckily, the Flames managed to score in OT and finally broke that losing streak.
To be quite honest, it was somewhat hard finding the three stars of the week, since there weren’t really players that completely stood out. But nonetheless, we found them for you. So here are Flame for Thought’s three stars of last week.
Third Star
Sean Monahan
Sean Monahan had a decent week, scoring two goals in three games. The most important goal was his OT goal vs. the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday evening which gave the Calgary Flames their first win in seven games. That was his tenth career OT goal which continues to lead the franchise in that category.
That was also his eighth GWG this season which puts him at first in the league in that category. In his career, he has 27 GWG. Thanks to Sportsnet Stats, with that tenth career goal at 23 years and 115 days old, Monahan became the youngest player in NHL history with 10 career OT goals. To be fair, the OT format has changed and has gotten easier for players to score goals, but it’s still an incredible feat for the young centreman who hasn’t even reached his prime yet.
Related Story: Flames Daily - Finally a win, Monahan's OT goal
In fact, since 2013 (his first NHL season), his eight OT goals ties him with the most with Alexander Ovechkin.
In that game vs. the Blackhawks, Jeff Glass stopped lots of chances on Monahan. 10 scoring chances from Monahan alone, to be exact. His final attempt went in.
Via Sportsnet:
“When you’re out there with guys like Johnny (Gaudreau) and (Brodie) and you find yourself open, you’re going to get the puck,” said Monahan, whose 10 overtime goals in his four-plus seasons equals Alexander Ovechkin. “The goalie had my number all night so I was happy to put one by him.”
For all these reasons, he gets our third star of the week.
Second Star
Mikael Backlund
If anybody ever says anything bad about Mikael Backlund, I will personally fight them. I may only be 5’3″, but I will still fight you (we’re big Backlund fans over here at Flame for Thought).
— Flame For Thought (@Flame_4_Thought) February 5, 2018
Backlund is one of the most underrated two-way centremen in the league.
Nice stat about one of the best two way centers in the game and also Jonathan Toews
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) February 4, 2018
Backlund had one goal and three points in three games last week for the Calgary Flames. Not only did he show up on the scoresheet, but with the return of Michael Frolik, you can sense how much more confident he was offensively. Knowing Frolik was there to back him up in case Backs got stuck in the offensive zone really showed when Backs jumped up on the play and right to the net much more than he has in the last few weeks.
This especially showed in the game vs. the Blackhawks. He had a CF% of 64.10 with 25 CF and 14 CA, the highest among all forwards and tied with Mark Giordano for highest on the team. He also had seven scoring chances alone, the second highest after Monahan’s 11. In that game, he’s was also the primary assist on Frolik’s third-period goal, the goal that tied to game to take it to overtime. He was the one that made the play.
This week alone, he had 16 scoring chances. For all these reasons, and just for being an overall perfect human being, he’s our second star for last week.
First Star
Matt Stajan
This season, Matt Stajan has three goals and four points in 42 games. Two of those goals came last week. After having one goal in 40 games this season, he gets two in back-to-back games. But not just him getting two goals last week is why he’s the first star, but the fourth line has really been one of the better lines this past week.
With a limited number of minutes, they’re making the most of it. They were forechecking like hell, they were taking pucks away in the neutral zone, they were winning puck battles in all zones, and they were taking away as many clean entries into their zone as possible. Even if they’re not getting points, doing all that is basically all you can for from your fourth line.
In the Calgary Flames’ two losses last week, he had a CF% of 70% vs. the Lightning, the highest among all skaters on the ice, where the Flames lost 7-4 and a CF% of 63.16% vs. the Knights, the second highest on the team after Giordano, where the Flames lost 4-2.
Stajan struggling this season is somewhat of an understatement. But last week was a great week for him and a solid week for the Flames’ fourth line in general. If they can keep this up for the majority of the season, even if they’re not getting points, I think Calgary Flames fans will be quite pleased with their performances.
Next: Johnny Gaudreau's team wins the SuperBowl
And those are Flame for Thought’s three stars of last week! Is there anybody else you would have seen, or is there someone here you would have left off instead?