On Friday night the Calgary Flames clinched their second playoff berth in three years with a win over the reeling San Jose Sharks.
A few notes:
1) Last night's game was a perfect example of what the Flames need to do to have success in the playoffs. Every team that qualifies has star power so on many nights that will cancel out. The key to a long playoff run is getting contributions from all throughout the lineup and the Flames got that vs San Jose.
Matt Stajan, who has been good all year, scored a goal, Alex Chiasson scored a goal, and Sam Bennett broke out of his slump with an empty-netter and an assist.
If Calgary is playing Edmonton, for example, we know Johnny Gaudreau/Sean Monahan will get their points and we know Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl will get theirs. It's what the rest of the team does that will be the difference.
2) I think that was the best game we've seen from Bennett in a while. He seemed to have a little extra jump in his step from the word go and was flying around the ice. He had a couple hits, a couple shots, led the team with a plus-8 shot attempt differential and made a beautiful pass to Johnny Gaudreau on the opening goal.
Gaudreau goal pic.twitter.com/ccR1l4A4Qt
— steph (@myregularface) April 1, 2017
If the Flames can get Bennett going prior to the playoffs that'd be a huge boost.
3) Brian Elliott was strong once again stopping 36 of 38 shots he faced and never giving the Sharks life even when they were pressing hard. He has stopped at least 90% of the shots he has faced in 13 of his last 14 games and is giving the Flames a chance to win every night. Even on nights he's a little off, he's still doing enough that he isn't costing the Flames games. That's all they can ask.
4) Brent Burns had 19 shot attempts last night but only six made it to the net and he did not get on the scoresheet. You're never going to shut him down completely, but I thought the Flames did a nice job of taking away clear shooting lanes and preventing him from getting any Grade A looks. If you can force off-balance shots, bad angle shots or simply have a forward right in his face when shooting then you'll be OK. That's what the Flames were able to do.
5) Can Rasmus Andersson please get a game in before the playoffs? The Matt Bartkowski - Deryk Engelland pairing isn't good, so you may as well try and find a 3rd pairing that works. What is the worst that happens? Andersson takes Bartkowski's spot for a game and doesn't play well? The latter is mediocre or worse more nights than not, anyway, so it doesn't make much difference. If Andersson plays well and holds his own, then your roster is strengthened a little more heading into the playoffs. Give the kid a chance.