FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1 Hey Johnny, you’re an all-star
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After two goals and five assists in a four-game span last week, Flames LW Johnny Gaudreau was dubbed the second NHL star of the week. The 24-year-old Carneys Point, N.J., native had a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 6, a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 8, and had a single assist in each of the team’s games over the weekend — a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers and a 3-2 win against the New York Islanders on Sunday. Heading into Monday’s action, Gaudreau was sitting second in NHL scoring with 48 assists and 66 points through 56 outings this season.
2 Brouwer Skates
Flames forward Troy Brouwer skated for the first time on Monday as the Flames took to the ice at Warrior Ice Arena, the practice facility of the Boston Bruins. The 32-yearold suffered a fractured cheekbone during Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. Although he finished the game (and returned in the first period, shortly after the incident happened), he was kept off the ice for a few days. Brouwer, who skated with a full cage on Monday, was put on injured reserve later in the afternoon (retroactive to Feb. 8) when the Flames recalled netminder Jon Gillies from the American Hockey League.
3 Beanpot buzz
Like many hockey fans in Boston, Matthew Tkachuk was headed to TD Garden on Monday to watch the annual Beanpot Tournament, a local tradition that dates back to 1952 between Boston University, Boston College, Harvard and Northeastern University. He, of course, wanted to catch his brother Brady Tkachuk, a Boston University forward, in action. Also playing in the tourney? Flames prospect Adam Fox, a defenceman for Harvard who was selected in the third round (66th overall) of the 2016 NHL draft. Former Flames draft pick Brandon Hickey (third round, 64th overall) was playing for Boston University. His rights were traded to the Arizona Coyotes in the Mike Smith deal last summer.
4 This n’ that
After Sunday’s 3-2 win over the New York Islanders, Calgary’s 16-6-5 road record was second-best in the NHL heading into Monday’s action … Blueliners Michael Stone (399 GP) and Dougie Hamilton (397 GP) are approaching the 400-club while Travis Hamonic needs four more to hit 500 … C Sean Monahan leads the NHL with 10 game winning goals. He is three away from shattering the single-season franchise record set by Joe Mullen (12 in 1986-87). He also sat second in the NHL with 16 goals on the road (heading into Monday’s action).
5 About the B’s
G Tuukka Rask is 18-1-2 in his last 21 games … Backup Anton Khudobin stopped 35 of 38 shots in a 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday … According to NBC Sports Boston’s Joe Haggerty, the Bruins are interested in adding a power forward to their mix and have a “keen interest” in Edmonton Oilers forward Patrick Maroon … D Zdeno Chara was tied with Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith for second in plus/minus with a plus-26 … Boston’s 34-12-8 record was the third-best in the NHL before Monday.