Some Calgary Flames thoughts as they - and many of you - enjoy the holiday break:
1) Johnny Gaudreau is getting a lot of praise for his exceptional play (rightfully so) but Sean Monahan is quietly having an extremely productive season.
Of the 170 forwards to log at least 400 minutes at 5 v 5 this season Monahan ranks 13th in points per 60 minutes with 2.32.
That puts him ahead of Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby Daniel Sedin, Joe Pavelski and Rick Nash, among many others.
What's particularly impressive about Monahan is that 16 of his 19 full-strength points have been primary points (goals or first assists) so it's not as if he's milking points on plays he's not really involved in.
Only nine players have more 5 v 5 goals than Monahan (9). Only nine players have more 5 v 5 points (19).
Everyone is talking about how Gaudreau's price is going through the roof but Monahan is certainly helping his cause as well.
2) Sticking with Monahan and 5 v 5 production, only 15 players have scored more goals than he has (42) since entering the league in 2013-14.
He slots in just below John Tavares (43) and ahead of Mike Cammalleri (41), Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby (39), Evgeni Malkin (38), James Neal (37) and Zach Parise (34) as well as hundreds of others.
He's not a perfect player - his possession numbers leave a lot to be desired - but there's no questioning his ability to put the puck in the net. Few players are better.
3) Mason McDonald was shelled in Canada's final pre tournament game as he allowed six goals on just 32 shots (.812SV%). It was far from all his fault - the defense wasn't great in front of him and Canada had some discipline issues late - but it was not an encouraging performance from McDonald. I expect he will make Canada's first two preliminary round starts while Mackenzie Blackwood serves his suspension but, barring a couple strong outings, I think it's safe to say it's Blackwood's job when he returns.
4) I won't have a new blog up on Christmas. Consider me questionable for Boxing Day.
Happy holidays, everyone.
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