The Calgary Flames are red hot.
Following Sunday's 5-2 scorching of the New York Islanders, the Flames are winners of seven straight, a stretch including three overtime victories. Calgary will look to push for win No. 8 vs. the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Credit netminder Brian Elliott for the team's recent run. The veteran has come away with the win in his past six outings. The results are even better over his last five, where he's allowed just eight goals while boating a .950 save percentage. He has just one regulation loss in his past nine (7-1-1).
| Date | Opponent | GA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 5 | Islanders | 2 | .943 |
| Mar. 3 | Red Wings | 2 | .946 |
| Feb. 28 | Kings | 1 | .966 |
| Feb. 26 | Hurricanes | 1 | .971 |
| Feb. 23 | Lightning | 2 | .920 |
| Feb. 21 | Predators | 5 | .821 |
Appearing in 36 games this season, Elliott owns a 18-13-3 record with a .905 save percentage. But it wasn't always this easy. Elliott struggled through his initial months in Alberta following a summer trade from the St. Louis Blues, soon losing the starter's gig to Chad Johnson.
On Dec. 1, the Flames were 11-13-2 and just five points removed from the West's basement. But subtract the season's first two months, and Elliott's numbers are in line with his career performance:
| Time Frame | Record | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct - Nov | 3-9-1 | 3.31 | .885 |
| Dec - Mar | 15-4-2 | 2.26 | .917 |
Calgary has put together a record of 25-13-2 since then, climbing to the first wild-card spot in the West. Should the Flames overtake the Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific - the teams are tied on points with the Ducks holding a game in hand - it could potentially set up a playoff date against the Edmonton Oilers and the first Battle of Alberta since 1991.
Elliott's performance has not only revived Calgary's season, it could also rekindle one of the game's greatest rivalries.
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