A few notes from Calgary's big win in Pittsburgh:
1) I don't think I can overstate just how important last night's win was.
Had the Flames dropped another two points, which was a realistic possibility, they would have been outside of the playoff picture looking in. That certainly wouldn't have been ideal considering the teams they'd be chasing have played fewer games and would have ample opportunity to widen the gap while the Flames sit idly until Monday.
Chances are the Flames won't hold their playoff spot when they return to action but at least, if that's the case, the gap will be small and very manageable.
2) Chad Johnson made his first start in two weeks against the league's highest scoring team and was absolutely spectacular. He stopped 31 of 33 shots he faced, many of which came from just outside the paint, and was able to stop everything that Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel. and the Penguins' top offensive players threw at him, be it in regulation or the shootout.
Glen Gulutzan has made it no secret if you win, you're in so we'll see Johnson again coming out of the break vs the 29th placed Coyotes. It would seem he has a nice opportunity in front of him to take the net and run with it.
3) The Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik line continues to get it done at both ends of the rink. The latter two had a few good shifts on the penalty kill and the trio teamed up to complete dissect the Penguins' defense for one of the nicer team goals you will see.
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik line strikes again. Just beautiful hockey. pic.twitter.com/DUoeP6gI7J
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) February 8, 2017
4) Johnny Gaudreau's Lady Byng chances took a massive hit last night (not actually) as he took a high-sticking penalty and recorded his first two penalty minutes of the season. Except he didn't.
As it turns out, it was friendly fire that caught Ian Cole and not Gaudreau's stick.
NHL needs to do the right thing here and scrub the penalty from Gaudreau's otherwise clean record. Poor guy has been wrongfully punished! pic.twitter.com/9PXJKiR1cF
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) February 8, 2017
It'll really suck if the only blemish on Gaudreau's otherwise spotless penalty differential is one he didn't take. Looks like it's down to +23(!) on the year for now.
5) I think the Flames should promote Ferland to the 3rd line and move Chiasson down to the 4th unit.
Why? Ferland is stronger, faster, younger and, well, better. Ferland has equaled Chiasson's production (eight goals, 15 points) despite playing almost ~3:30 fewer minutes on a nightly basis and not seeing any power play time.
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