3 reasons Calgary Flames won playoff series vs Dallas Stars

No. 1: Assistant captain Johnny Gaudreau had himself a series for the Calgary Flames.

How do you describe what Johnny Gaudreau has done this season? Simple answer: you don’t. You just let his play do all the talking and you sit back and enjoy it.

In Game 7, with defenceman Chris Tanev out, Gaudreau had an extra letter placed on his jersey. He’d wear the ‘ A’ for the first time in his career. And he deserved it.

Johnny Hockey was the best player for the Flames all series long. He’s already surpassed his career-high in playoff assists with six so far, and he only needs two goals and one point to tie his postseason bests in goals and points. He did all this in just seven games.

The only two goals he scored were potentially franchise-altering. His first of the playoffs was a penalty shot in Dallas during Game 4. It gave the Flames a 2-0 lead and all the momentum in the third period. Calgary also tied the series 2-2 heading to the Saddledome for Game 5.

Gaudreau’s second goal of the series was the last and most important. He finally solved Oettinger in overtime to send the Flames to the second round.

There’s a lot of speculation about what he and the Flames will do this offseason. Thankfully, we can continue to push this conversation back a few more weeks.

But you know he’s out there proving himself to the organization and other teams. He’s always had the knock of “not a playoff performer.” The stats don’t lie there. However, every bad thing said about him now is irrelevant. He is that guy.

The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will continue their respective quests for the Stanley Cup on Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.