The Calgary Flames dispatched the Arizona Coyotes at home last night, unsurprisingly bouncing back after the 4-3 setback earlier in the week.
The togetherness of this particular Flames team is something to marvel. Numerous players boast about the camaraderie in the locker room, saying the collective unit is the closest they’ve ever experienced. And that ironclad unity shows on the ice, where it counts most.
3. Flames are 9-0 in since Jan. 13 games following a loss
The Flames haven’t lost back-to-back contests since Jan. 13, when they suffered four losses on the bounce. Since then, Calgary has a 9-0 record in games following a loss.
It’s a testament to the collective’s mental fortitude and belief they have in one another. It’s a mantra, an aura if you will, spearheaded and carefully cultivated by Darryl Sutter. His unassuming leadership style has benefited the Flames immeasurably since he returned to the Stampede City.
Aside from that four-game losing skid in early January, Calgary has suffered successive regulation losses only twice. Calgary lost to San Jose and Montreal on November 9 and 11 respectively, the first two-game setback of the season. The other again included those pesky Sharks, as Calgary lost in Vegas and in San Jose on Dec. 5 and Dec. 7.
2. Jacob Markström notched 30th win
Jacob Markström secured his 30th win of the campaign last night and is now only two shy of league leader Tristan Jarry. The reason Darryl Sutter didn’t speak to the media after Calgary’s 4-3 loss to San Jose on Tuesday had nothing to do with not wanting to speak about Markström’s rare off performance.
Sutter and the rest of the Flames coaching staff don’t have a negative thing to say about their superstar netminder. With all of Calgary’s firepower, Markström is still the team’s most valuable player.
While his numbers speak volumes, it’s his influence in the locker room that often slides under the radar. The Swede’s leadership presence is as important as his elite statistics. Speaking of elite stats, he is 15-2-2 in his last 19 starts at the Scotiabank Saddledome and 19-5-6 overall on home ice.
1. Flames have four 30-goal scorers for first time since 1993-1994
For the first time since 1993-1994, the Calgary Flames have four 30-goal scorers in the same campaign. Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk gained entry to the illustrious 30-goal club within eight minutes of each other. Tkachuk, thanks to a clinical feed from Gaudreau, scored early in the second, only 33 seconds after the first line was reunited.
Johnny Hockey would not be outdone and joined his linemate at 8:14 mark of the same period, roofing his 30th of the campaign. Elias Lindholm, who also scored, has 32 goals and entered the club on March 12 against the Red Wings. Let’s not forget about Andrew Mangiapane, who scored his 30th on March 16 versus the Devils.
The Flames are the first team this season with four 30-goal scorers, showcasing not only the team’s offensive depth, but its potent top-end ability to score in bunches. Gary Roberts (41), Theo Fleury (40), Robert Reichel (40) and Joe Nieuwendyk (36) were the last Flames’ quartet to reach the milestone.
It’s also the fastest a quartet has reached the 30-goal plateau in the same season since Pittsburgh in 1995-1996.