Calgary Flames

How the Flames have fared for January star selections

The Calgary Flames at this point in the season are probably switching their focus towards gunning for the Presidents’ Trophy. The Tampa Bay Lightning are within reach and if things line up for the Flames, then there might be good reason to celebrate come April.

The Flames only played 11 games in January, given the All-Star break and their bye-week making their last game of the month on January 22nd. Out of a possible 33 star selections, the Flames were selected a whopping 22 times.

Going 9-1-1 in January, the Flames were oft led to victory by Johnny Gaudreau. He was selected as a star five times, which is just shy of being over half of all January games.

Three other Flames were selected as stars on multiple occasions. Mark Giordano, Mikael Backlund, and David Rittich were selected three times each.

Let’s take a look at what ensued throughout January for star selections.

Game 41: Flames @ Red Wings

First StarJohnny Gaudreau1 G / 3 A / 4 SOG
Second StarElias Lindholm1 G / 2 A / 3 SOG
Third StarAndreas Athanasiou1 G / 1 A / 4 SOG

Game 42: Flames @ Bruins

First StarJake DeBrusk2 G / 0 A / 6 SOG
Second StarJohnny Gaudreau1 G / 1 A / 6 SOG
Third StarBrad Marchand2 G / 0 A / 4 SOG

Game 43: Flames @ Flyers

First StarT.J. Brodie1 G / 0 A / 1 SOG
Second StarTravis Konecny1 G / 0 A / 3 SOG
Third StarJohnny Gaudreau1 G / 0 A / 2 SOG

Game 44: Flames @ Blackhawks

First StarJohnny Gaudreau2 G / 0 A / 4 SOG
Second StarPatrick Kane1 G / 1 A / 3 SOG
Third StarSean Monahan1 G / 1 A / 10 SOG

Game 45: Flames vs. Avalanche

First StarDavid Rittich35 SA / 0.914 SV%
Second StarMark Giordano0 G / 3 A / 1 SOG
Third StarNathan MacKinnon1 G / 0 A / 6 SOG

Game 46: Flames vs. Panthers

First StarMichael Frolik1 G / 2 A / 1 SOG
Second StarMikael Backlund0 G / 1 A / 3 SOG
Third StarDavid Rittich27 SA / 0.889 SV%

Game 47: Flames vs. Coyotes

First StarMark Giordano2 G / 1 A / 4 SOG
Second StarMatthew Tkachuk2 G / 0 A / 4 SOG
Third StarMike Smith23 SA / 0.957 SV%

Game 48: Flames vs. Sabres

First StarJohnny Gaudreau1 G / 1 A / 4 SOG
Second StarJack Eichel1 G / 1 A / 3 SOG
Third StarRasmus Dahlin1 G / 0 A / 1 SOG

Game 49: Flames vs. Red Wings

First StarSam Bennett2 G / 1 A / 2 SOG
Second StarDylan Larkin2 G / 0 A / 8 SOG
Third StarDerek Ryan0 G / 2 A / 0 SOG

Game 50: Flames @ Oilers

First StarMikael Backlund1 G / 1 A / 2 SOG
Second StarJesse Puljujarvi0 G / 2 A / 0 SOG
Third StarMark Giordano1 G / 2 A / 4 SOG

Game 51: Flames vs. Hurricanes

First StarMikael Backlund1 G / 1 A / 2 SOG
Second StarDavid Rittich35 SA / 0.943 SV%
Third StarPetr Mrazek25 SA / 0.880 SV%

Some interesting stats among the January stars:

  • Gaudreau put up 11 points in the five times he was selected
  • The single time Monahan was selected, he amassed one goal on 10 shots
  • Rittich’s three selections saw him post a combined 0.915 SV%
  • Backlund was selected as first star two games in a row right before the break
  • Giordano and Brodie were the only Flames defencemen selected

There’s no doubt about it, the Flames were red-hot all through January. With any luck, the extended break gave them the rest they needed continue putting it in the win column through to the end of the season (which will be in June for the Flames, right?).

Related: October | November | December


Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images

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