Just hours after his team clinched an invite to the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving promised to “move heaven and Earth and do everything we possibly can” to ensure this won’t be Johnny Gaudreau’s final season at the Saddledome.
The Flames have won nine of their past 11 games against the Blackhawks, including five straight in Chicago. Calgary last lost at United Centre on Nov. 1, 2016.
To be sure, the Flames enter this matchup with ample momentum. Trailing by a goal after one period, the Flames erupted for six goals in the second, including four in a 2:33 span early in the period.
"Second period, we just took over the game," Tkachuk said. "It seemed like everything was going in for us. The fans enjoyed it a lot, and so did we."
BOTTOM LINE: Calgary visits the Chicago Blackhawks after Dillon Dube scored two goals in the Flames' 9-1 victory over the Coyotes.
The Blackhawks are 14-23-8 against Western Conference opponents. Chicago has given up 51 power-play goals, killing 75.1% of opponent opportunities.
The Flames are 26-13-4 in conference games. Calgary ranks fourth in the Western Conference averaging 3.6 goals per game, led by Matthew Tkachuk with 39.
"Proud of the guys in the locker room," said Johnny Gaudreau, who joined teammate Matthew Tkachuk with two goals and two assists against the Coyotes.
"But work starts now. We've got to try to push ourselves for the rest of the year, maybe try to get home ice for most of the playoffs if we can, and then get ready for Round 1. I was happy with the guys tonight. A lot of guys contributed tonight. It was a lot of fun to be a part of that game."
Calgary is eying a sweep of the season series after cruising in its first two meetings against Chicago (25-39-11, 61 points). The Flames won 5-2 on home ice on Nov. 23 before netting a 5-1 road victory versus the Blackhawks on Jan. 2.
Last edited by Cheese; 04-18-2022 at 12:22 PM.
The Following 75 Users Say Thank You to Cheese For This Useful Post:
Let’s crush the hawks, need to start really building a rhythm in the final stretch here and get back to scoring the first goal. Loved the response after a so so 1st period against the yotes and that top line looked as good as ever! 8-1 Flames
Gaudreau x 3
Tkachuk
Coleman
Mangiapane
Gudbranson
Tanev
A Flames game on a Monday night is the perfect way to combat a Monday.
Excited for this one! Hoping the big guys pop-off for another 4 point night and Chucky can hit 100 tonight! I'd also love to see Johnny climb a little higher - just a little higher - in the scoring race! Johnny Hart!
I thought we needed a combination of 8pts (flames wins or Oilers losses) to clinch the division?
2 Flames wins and 1 regulation loss for the Oilers would clinch the division.
Earliest potential time that could happen would be Wednesday.
Though I have my doubts the Flames will beat a Nashville team that is desperate for points and came off a humiliating loss.
Not surprised given Sutter's history. With a playoff matchup against Nashville a very real possibility, give Vladar the back-to-back tomorrow instead of the "easier" matchup tonight.
The Following User Says Thank You to tvp2003 For This Useful Post:
CALGARY FLAMES AT CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 6:00pm TV: SN - RADIO SN960
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70340488/1237511697.0.jpg)
