The playoff hopes for the Calgary Flames are hanging by a fragile thread. With the Montreal Canadiens just one point away from clinching the final playoff spot, the Flames have no margin for error; any loss or Montreal win eliminates them from playoff contention.
Those hopes will live on for another night as the Flames (23-26-3) defeated the Ottawa Senators (22-28-5) 6-1 in blowout fashion. After a 1-0 start in the 1st period, the Flames added 3 goals in the second to jump out to a 4-0 lead. That was too much for the Senators to overcome as the Flames attack continued to barrage the Senators’ goal with shots; the Flames outshot the Senators, 36-20.
The goals came quickly in the second period as the Flames attack put pressure on right after the faceoff. Mikael Backlund scored his 9th goal of the season 17 seconds in to open up a 2-goal lead. A few minutes later, Matthew Tkachuk added his 11th goal of the season to extend the lead. Just over the halfway point in the period, Michael Stone’s second goal of the year made the score 4-0.
Individually, the Flames were led by Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. Both grabbed 3 points on a goal and 2 assists apiece. Also, Mark Giordano picked up 2 points with a goal and an assist.
The Flames are forced to root for their rivals
The Flames’ playoff hopes now rest on the results of 6 games; their 4 games against the Canucks and the final 2 games between Montreal and Edmonton. To secure the final playoff berth from the North Division, the Flames have to win out while Edmonton must sweep the Canadiens.
That puts the Flames and their fans in a unique situation; they must now root for wins from their bitter rivals in Edmonton. Matthew Tkachuk summed up the team’s outlook perfectly after the game.
“Never thought we would root for Edmonton but we need them to win these. I doubt I’ll watch, but just hope they’ll win,” said Tkachuk.
Tkachuk Brothers Battle on Mother’s Day
Usually, the Tkachuk family watches two separate games on any given day during the NHL regular season. However, with Matthew on the Flames and Brady on the Senators, they were treated to a special Mother’s Day game. With the family unable to meet in person, the head-to-head brother matchup made for the next best thing.
“This is probably the first Mother’s Day where we haven’t been together and haven’t been able to celebrate in person,” Matthew said prior to the game, “But I think if she could have the second-best option to all of us together, it would at least be having my brother and I together.”
After Sunday’s game, Matthew left with bragging rights over younger brother Brady, tallying 3 points as the Flames defeat the Senators.
