Gaudreau in a league of his own
Flames winger continues to put up big numbers with another two-point night
WASHINGTON — Goodness gracious, Johnny Gaudreau.
The Calgary Flames superstar winger seems to be skating in another stratosphere right now, continuing his incredible cruise with another two-point showing to key Monday’s 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in D.C.
“I’m going to say it again, what a coach likes more is his backcheck on Ovie (Alex Ovechkin) that lifted the stick,” said Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan, asked for the umpteenth time about Gaudreau’s offensive exploits. “I know he’s going to get points, because he’s just that gifted. But his commitment to winning, it just shows itself night-in and night-out.
“I love that he’s on the roll. You want him to stay on the roll. But that line again had a tough matchup, and they did well.”
There might not be a tougher matchup in the NHL right now than trying to shut down Calgary’s No. 13.
Gaudreau has reached double digits on the longest point streak of his career, with at least one offensive contribution — but typically two and sometimes three — in his past 10 outings.
He has tickled twine in six straight. That’s also a career-high.
Even more impressive, the 24-year-old Gaudreau has rattled off five consecutive multi-point performances, becoming the first Flames scoresheet-stuffer since Jarome Iginla in 2002 to put up so many pairs in a row.
“He’s making something happen every shift,” said centre Sean Monahan, who scored the second-period tie-breaker Monday, his third game-winner in just five trips to what is now known as Capital One Arena. “And that confidence is hard to take away from a guy like that, so he’s going to continue to do that.”
Monahan and second-line centre Mikael Backlund also chipped in a goal and assist against the Capitals, while Mark Giordano found the net from the point and Dougie Hamilton and Matthew Tkachuk both collected a couple of helpers.
Mike Smith delivered 29 saves for the Flames (12-8-0). Gaudreau, though, was the star. Again. Let’s start with the latest … The hosts scored just 62 seconds after Monday’s opening faceoff, with Jakub Vrana retrieving a dump-in and teeing up linemate Lars Eller out front, but Gaudreau would even things up less than four minutes later, speeding into enemy territory and sizzling a wrist-shot just inside the post on the far side.
Gaudreau nearly had another notch on a second-period pow- er-play. Instead, he added an assist.
Braden Holtby slid across his crease to deny Gaudreau’s shortside attempt, but the Capitals stalwart wasn’t sure of the whereabouts of the puck after it caromed off his blocker. He was frantically searching from a crouched position when Monahan — fresh off his first career hat-trick in Philadelphia — fished the rebound out from under him and shovelled a shot into the empty net.
“Right now, it’s going good for us,” Gaudreau understated. “Coming into games, we’re excited to find a way to find the net. It’s an exciting time right now. We’re playing well. But you go through ups and downs throughout the season.” This isn’t just an up. More like a long-haul flight at impressive altitude.