Are the Flames Top-of-West Worthy?

It has been a long time since the Flames have been in first place this late in the season. How have they gotten here? Do they deserve to be here?  Right now, the Flames lead the conference with 40 points. The rest of the division is in inconsistent and the Flames have managed a winning streak.

Why first place?

The biggest reason is the hot first line — Johnny Gaudreau, Shawn Monahan, and of course, Elias Lindholm.  Lindholm might be the best pickup of the year. He has developed into a strong right winger.  Lindholm has 16 goals and 18 assists, totalling 34 points. He is averaging over a point per game. HIs greatest asset is his speed. He is forcing the issues. Teams are having trouble keeping up with him.

I can't remember the last time Flames had four players averaging over a point a game: Johnny Gaudreau, Shawn Monahan,  the nasty Daniel Tkachuk, and Mark Giordano. Giordano is at exactly one point per game.  It has been a long time since this kind of numbers on the Calgary Flames. The offensive style is working to perfection.

The main concern is outside the top five scoring is a little thin. This is where the Flames were hoping James Neal might be able to pop in some scoring. But so far, James's offence has dried up. HIs three goals and three assists make him a very expensive role player.  Michael  Backlund has chipped in with 17 points. We could use a few more from him.

Speaking of Backlund, he went down with what has to be a concussion in the Wild game. Janko is the obvious choice to step in short-term for Backlund. He has to take the ball and run with it. He has to step into the role of second line centre.

Mark Jankowski has to drastically improve his offensive number for the second line to advance.  Four goals and six assists in 28 games is not good enough for his talent. He has the skill and potential to be so much more; this is an excellent opportunity for Mark to shine.

The defensive zone play has to improve; there are still too many giveaways in the defensive zone.  The Flames have really missed rookie sensation Juuso Valimaki. He has been a defensive stalwart. He has maturity beyond his years and he has been outstanding in his own end. The Flames have to improve their defensive play. This is not all on the defence; the forwards have to show more hustle in their zone. The defence cannot do it all.

Another reason the Flames are playing better is that Mike Smith has arrived. Mike Smith has been steady and better of late, so the Flames have a two-headed monster for other teams to contend with. The only problem is that Mike is still giving up a bad goal in his starts when the offence is slowing. It is vital that Smith addresses that issue.

Rittich has to be the story this year as he continues to keep up his outstanding play between the pipes. He might not be the most positional goalie, but he gets the job done. It is key that the Flames play both goalies in order to have a rested goalie in the playoffs.

Amazing what a confident goalie can accomplish

The Flames are flying around scoring in buckets. They  scored five goals in the first period in two games in a row, against the Knights and Jets. The Flames were really using their speed.

Gaudreau snapped out of his slump and is really flying in the recent three-game homestand in which the Flames went undefeated.  The Flames have the confidence that they have a goalie who has their backs if they make a mistake in their defensive zone.

Monahan, Gaudreau, and Lindholm are hitting on all cylinders. The  Flames have finally found their first line right-winger.  They are playing with confidence like they never have before. Lindholm is a smart forward who is on the same page as Monahan. They each know precisely where the other is on the ice and are very responsible in their own zone.

Secondary Scoring

The second line might very well have the best player and the MVP of the Flames. Tkachuk is learning how to make things hard consistently. The second line has been a vital ingredient. All this because the Flames know if they make a mistake they know Rittich has their back.

Defence

The dmen are playing with more confidence. They are not skating on eggshells, they are not worrying about making mistakes, because they know Riitich has their back. It is amazing how not having to worry about making mistakes can help the defence.

Mr. Neal

Neal continues to struggle, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen him making strides of late. He is getting involved and seems to be working well with Janko and Bennett. I still have confidence in his abilities.

Do not be too upset with the game against the Stars. Yes, the Flames lost, but they ran into a very hot goalie. Anton Khudobin was outstanding, nothing more than that. Move on, be happy the team was able to get the point.

Moving forward, this team has to continue to play a full 60 minutes. It is time for this team to make a move if they are serious. The Flames have the talent; it is the time to show the will.

Randy