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Tonight’s game between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames should be quite an interesting matchup as we have two teams playing each other who are nearly polar opposites, in a sense.
On one hand you have the Canadiens who are fighting to stay in the playoffs, currently one point ahead of 8th place in the East, and have also been on a losing streak over their last ten games(3-6-1). On the other hand we have the Calgary Flames who are 13th in the Western conference, rebuilding their franchise and are currently on a five game winning streak.
As I like to think that I am, for the most part, a realistic fan, I can only expect that these two teams start to play closer to their expectations rather soon.I’m also sure a lot of Flames fans are not “overly… excited for their team to be threatening to climb the standings at all. That said, it is hard to argue against the fact that Calgary has been playing some very strong, team oriented hockey, and have been fun to watch. The team quite simply has been gelling, and with low expectations set upon their group, are raising the bar for “rebuilding… teams.
While their success has certainly come as a direct result of hard work and playing well as a team, there is also a lot of credit that is deserved to players who have been stepping up their games of late. Honored as the NHL’s 3rd star for the period ending February 2nd, Mikael Backlund has certainly turned his game around and has been impressing the hockey world. With six points last week, two of which were shorthanded, Backlund has been proving his dominance as a strong two way centerman in the NHL, and at the tender age of 24, has a lot to prove yet.
"It's awesome. It's a great feeling, everybody's happy," Backlund said. "The guys are buzzing in here and having a good time with each other. It's so nice to just win.""It's nice to finally be able to get those goals that people wanted me to get for a lot of years," said Backlund. "I'm excited about it, I feel good about it. I'm happy I can help the team win games and chip in."
In addition to Backlund, the Flames have been receiving superb play from their captain Mark Giordano has was recently ranked 3rd overall in points per game for top 6 defenseman in the NHL. Giordano is also riding a nine point streak and sits at an even +/- for the year. Moreover, how about Sean Monahan who leads the team in goals scored(15), or Jiri Hudler posting a .76ppg pace, or Kris Russell sitting with 19pts of his own while holding a respectable -1 overall rating(team average -8).
And what's further impressive, is that while certain players have been doing well at the NHL level, their prospects playing in the AHL have also been doing quite well. 20 year old Markus Granlund is currently leading the AHL in rookie goals(19) while playing for the Abbotsford Heat. Deciding to stay with the Heat this season rather than returning to the SM-liiga, Granlund has been a big part of the Heat’s success and the Flames organization have certainly been paying attention.
"A young star in the waiting," Heat coach Troy Ward said."He's a smart dude. He reads the goalie," Ortio said. "It's not like he just shoots at the net. He's got his head up. He looks where the goalie is and where the room is he can score. That's something you are born with, that awareness he has. He always knows where his linemates are and how to pick a spot when he shoots."
"[Ramo] came at a TV timeout and he told me, 'Bob, I can't keep going,'" Hartley said. "Right away, we went to Reto. I went to see [Ramo] after the first period and he was sore. I don't think that it's major but obviously you never know. I'm not a doctor."
As such, the Flames have called upon the duties of Joni Ortio to backup Reto Berra as the team finishes out their last three games before the break. If Berra is unable to hold the fort, the Flames likely have a strong option with Ortio who’s second in the AHL in wins, and third in both SV% and GAA.
As noted, tonight’s game should be a fun, fast paced bout between the two teams. If Calgary is able to outmuscle the Canadiens tonight, they have the ability to clinch their longest streak in about three years with six straight. Montreal, while not necessarily as big or physical as Calgary can be, has a few pests which the Flames will need to keep an eye out for.
However, the big challenge for Calgary tonight will be keeping up to the speed of Montreal who has shown very a strong transition game over the year, when things are going well. By constantly playing the body and getting plenty of shots on Carey Price, Calgary could take an early lead and frustrate the struggling Habitants.
Not having a single regulation win in 14 starts, Berra will need to step up his game tonight if he’s going to give his team a chance to extend their current streak. Tonight will also be a big night for Mike Cammalleri who will play against the Montreal Canadiens for the first time in a Flames uniform since being traded by Montreal in 2012.
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With respect to the ongoing Cammalleri trade discussions, Elliott Friedman noted just yesterday that the New Jersey Devils are currently showing interest in the vets services. Sitting three points out of playoff spot and with a few young promising players in their organization, the Devils could be one of the “impromptu… teams who sneak in with a bid for Mike.
I could see a deal made between the team organizations as things stand given the Devils need for scoring, but don’t think that Uncle Lou will pay full price. If the Burke is looking at a Gelinas type player, for instance, there will be more coming from the Flames than Cammalleri.
That’s all for today folks, thanks for reading!