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Flames 9, Devils 4: Top line comes alive in decisive victory

March 13, 2019, 10:52 AM ET [27 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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Five observations from Calgary vs New Jersey:

1. A much-needed get right game

The Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Elias Lindholm line has not played up to par over the last month and change. Their production was way down, they posted some of the worst underlying numbers on the team, and they simply didn't look right. That all changed against the Devils. I know full well that they weren't a great team to begin with and an abundance of injuries have only compounded that. But, believe it or not, they've posted some pretty good shot and chance suppression numbers of late. Though they might not be able to generate offense, they've (mostly) done a good job of preventing it. Until last night, at least. Gaudreau led the charge with one of the most electric performances you will see all season. Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm followed suit with *checks notes* four-point performances of their own. It was a thoroughly dominant performance from a line that really needed it. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

2. The Flames turned up the heat

Four forwards in New Jersey's lineup last night have recorded more than 10 points at the NHL level this season. Four. They legitimately dressed more AHLers than NHLers up front yet, after 40 minutes, the team somehow scored four goals and led the Western Conference's No. 2 seed in their own building. Bill Peters must have let them know about it, because they legitimately came out a completely different team in the 3rd period.

Over the first 40 minutes, the Flames outshot the Devils 21-20 and out-chanced them 22-14 (9-8 in terms of high-danger looks). Maybe they shouldn't have been trailing, but they made enough mistakes that it was hardly unfair.

The final frame was a much different story – and not just because the Flames scored seemingly every other shift. They outshot the Devils 17-6 and out-chanced them 15-5 over the final 20 minutes. Obviously, there is a sizeable gap in talent between the two teams and the Flames finally came out and showed it. With so much on the line it shouldn't take the team so long to get going but better late than never, I suppose.

3. It was a tough night for the top pairing

T.J. Brodie was the problem more so than Mark Giordano, but my point remains. This pairing was not good. They were the only two Flames on the ice for more chances against than for. They were the only two defenders on the ice for more goals against than for. Their gap control was awful – how Kenny Agostino had so much space on his goal is beyond me – and there were too many noticeable mistakes, especially against such weak competition.

I think Brodie's game, in particular, has dropped off in recent weeks. It might be time to give someone else extended run alongside Giordano, which brings me to my next point...

4. Rasmus Andersson stood out

I thought Andersson played very well at both ends of the ice. The Flames gave up nothing (well, two chances in 16:16) when he was out there and they generated a ton (nine chances, three goals). Although Andersson only registered one point, I think he was a big reason why. He made some really impressive plays in transition and breaking out of the defensive zone – including the one that got everything started on Johnny Gaudreau's hat trick goal. I think the sky is the limit for him and Tuesday night was just another example.

5. David Rittich wasn't great

The Flames made some mistakes in front of him and he didn't allow the kind of soft goals that deflate a team. He was hardly a disaster. He just wasn't all that sharp, either. He posted a .846 save percentage against a team icing three good forwards (Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac, and Blake Coleman) and, on a good night, probably would have stopped one, or two, of the goals he conceded. He'll need to be better come playoff time.

Title defended

For the second consecutive year, the Calgary Flames have won the Todd Cordell Bowl™. In 2017-18 they picked up a narrow 7-6 victory on aggregate. This year, they ran away with the crown winning both games by an 11-5 margin.

This is massive for the Flames and their fans. Whether they win the Stanley Cup or not, they're still going home with some hardware this year.

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