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February was a rocky month for the Calgary Flames.
They were hit with injuries to Mark Giordano and Travis Hamonic, and largely struggled to deal with them. The Flames finished 22nd in points percentage (.463) and won just six of their 14 games.
Even so, there were still some standout performers. I’m going to outline a few in February’s edition of 3 Stars of the Month.
3rd star - Rasmus Andersson
Andersson was asked to carry a massive workload in absence of Giordano and Hamonic. He played 311 minutes in the month, slotting him just a hair behind Noah Hanifin for the team lead. Andersson logged more than 22 minutes per night, and I thought he handled himself magnificently.
Despite often playing against top competition at 5v5, the Flames controlled more of the shot attempts (+3.50%), expected goals (+4.28%), and actual goals (+9.13%) with Andersson on the ice than without.
Across all game states, he was on for more Flames goals than anybody (26) and he posted a rock solid +9 goal differential.
His on-ice defensive metrics were particularly strong and he chipped in a little more offensively, piling up seven points in 14 games.
If this is the guy we’re going to see when he takes on a full-time top-4 role next season, the Flames are going to feel good about their $4.55 million investment.
2nd star - Andrew Mangiapane
Sticking with the theme of former Barrie Colts, we have Andrew Mangiapane.
The Bread Man has by and large had a strong season. February was probably his best month, though.
He finished 2nd on the team in Corsi For%, 1st in Goals For%, and contributed 12 points (9 at 5v5) in 14 games.
He was relentless on the forecheck, effective in transition, and he consistently found soft spots in the defense for Mikael Backlund or Matthew Tkachuk, two very strong playmakers, to set him up.
If not for one of his linemates having the kind of month you’d expect from a future Hart Trophy winner, Mangiapane probably would have been the 1st star.
1st star - Mikael Backlund
Backlund must have been really excited about being moved back to center because he went absolutely crazy in February.
The guy had a 57.82 Corsi For% (1st), 63.63 Expected Goals For% (1st), and 59.26 Goals For% (3rd) at 5v5. Those are insane numbers to record over a 14-game span. We’re just getting started, though.
Backlund posted 14 points in 14 games at 5v5 alone. Only Sebastian Aho managed more. He registered 19 points including all gamestates, which slotted him 4th behind only Leon Draisaitl, Nikita Kucherov, and Mika Zibanejad. Pretty good company to be keeping.
It’s not just the numbers that impress. It’s *how* Backlund looked while putting them up. He displayed a level of skill and confidence I’m not sure I’ve ever seen from him; and I’m not just saying that because it’s convenient while the numbers are there.
The guy just attacked and attacked and attacked, regardless of which players stood in his way. The other day in Nashville he went right at Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis, arguably the best defense pairing in the league, and drew them completely out of position before setting up Mangiapane for what could have easily been the game-winning-goal in an extremely important game.
A lot of guys in that position would realize they have almost no chance of pulling anything off and dump the puck in to avoid the turnover, or skate into the double team and quickly lose possession. Backlund made an elite level play instead. And that kind of thing was regular for him last month.
Obviously he’s not going to continue producing at this rate – it’s Connor McDavid-level production – but having Backlund clicking again and returning to a quality center at both ends drastically increases Calgary’s chances of getting to the dance.
Standings
Points (appearances)
3 for 1st, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd
Matthew Tkachuk -- 6 (3)
Andrew Mangiapane -- 5 (3)
Johnny Gaudreau -- 3 (1)
Mikael Backlund -- 3 (1)
David Rittich -- 3 (1)
Cam Talbot -- 2 (1)
Sean Monahan -- 1 (1)
Rasmus Andersson -- 1 (1)
Numbers via naturalstattrick.com
Recent posts:
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Biggest trade deadline winner?
Reviewing Calgary’s trade deadline moves
Calgary’s three stars of the month for January
Flames sign Rasmus Andersson to long-term extension
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