1) Where would the Calgary Flames be without Chad Johnson? Wait, don't answer that.
After trading starts with the struggling Brian Elliott, Johnson was given an opportunity to take the ball and run with it. He has done just that.
Of Calgary's last seven games Johnson has started six of them. He has a 5-1-0 record in that span to go along with a .959 save percentage and a pair of shutouts.
I touched on this the other day, but GM Brad Treliving made not one but two smart bets to address the team's goaltending situation. To this point Elliott hasn't been great but, as we're seeing, if even one guy performs well the Flames will be just fine.
2) The Flames had a great opening 20 minutes in Boston but, in part due to score effects, were caved in during the final two periods. Only three guys broke even (or better) in possession and guess who led the way in that regard? Dougie Hamilton, of course.
He has received non-stop flack from fans, media, etc. since becoming a Flame yet he consistently posts good numbers -- both standard and advanced -- despite being under-utilized.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: do not trade this guy. Top-4 defenseman who can produce offense and drive play are tough to come by, especially when said defenseman is 23 and hasn't even entered his prime.
The Flames have given him more minutes of late and the wins have started to come more frequently. Johnson's play is a big reason for that, but Hamilton has routinely been one of the best Flames as well.
3) After a slow start to the season, Young Sam Bennettâ„¢ has started to pick it up of late as he has recorded four points and 15 shots on goal in his last five games.
4) Sean Monahan is on pace for 17 goals, 28 points and 153 shots on goal. All would be career lows or are career lows on a per game basis. I don't think this is what the Flames had in mind when they committed $44.625 million to the guy.