Can the Calgary Flames make the playoffs?
The Calgary Flames were expected to be terrible this season. Ask any National Hockey League pundit or diehard fan, and they likely could not name 10 players on the opening night roster. Calgary has a ton of youth, something that brings inexperience and typically, harsh growing pains.
The Flames apparently did not get the memo. Calgary is competing with the best in the Pacific Division, sitting tied for third place with the defending champion Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. At 20-15-3, Calgary has a bevy of impressive victories including road wins over the Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks and Kings, all teams currently in playoff spots.
Calgary has also responded to adversity. At 17-8-2, the Flames were beginning to really turn heads before going on a nasty eight-game losing streak, only earning a mere point throughout the two-week span. However, Calgary has responded with three consecutive wins including a pair over Los Angeles.
Much of the Flames’ success has been because of an up-and-coming defense core. Mark Giordano leads the group, perhaps the most underrated blue-liner in the NHL. Giordano, 31, is second on Calgary in points with 35 (10 goals, 25 assists) but more importantly is a stalwart in his own end. With a rating of +17, Giordano is second among NHL defensemen, behind only teammate and emerging star, T.J. Brodie.
Brodie, 24, is a physical 6’1, 182-pounder who can provide thump in his own zone and punch offensively. Brodie isn’t the offensive force that Giordano is but has contributed with 25 points (6 goals, 19 assists). Between the duo of Brodie and Giordano, Calgary has enjoyed considerable secondary scoring. However, the defense can still tighten up as a whole, with the Flames allowing 100 goals this season. Only four teams in the Western Conference, the bottom four, have surrendered more.
The offense has been able to pick up the hit-and-miss defensive play, led by veteran winger Jiri Hudler and rookie Johnny Gaudreau. Once a solid player with the Detroit Red Wings, Hudler has become the go-to guy up front for Calgary. Hudler is leading the Flames in both goals (13) and points (36) in his third year with the flaming “C” on his chest. Most impressive, Hudler is providing good two-way play with a +13 rating, only three off his career best.
Gaudreau is the most talented forward on the roster, with promise to become a legitimate superstar. Calgary has lacked a face of the franchise-type since losing Jarome Iginla, but Gaudreau is primed to fill those skates. In 37 games this season, Gaudreau has 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) and a +12 rating. Gaudreau is incredibly diminutive at 5’8 and 155 pounds but plays with speed and elusiveness. A fourth-round pick in 2011, Gaudreau is proving a huge steal.
Whether or not the Flames can continue their winning ways throughout the second half of the season is uncertain. The talent is there and the maturity in place, but will Calgary fight off the big boys with each game growing in importance?
It’s impossible to know, but the fans of the Flames should be excited to find out with this skilled young team.
