Calgary Flames’ Sean Monahan Heating Up At The Right Time

The Calgary Flames are in the midst of a five-game Western road trip, having won their first three contests. But the toughest tests are yet to come in the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks. The Kings are the defending Stanley Cup Champions, while the Ducks are the best team in the NHL as of Jan. 18. The Flames have played well of late — winners in seven of their last 10 — and getting contributions from all areas of the line-up; Sean Monahan, specifically, is on the up-swing after a tough stretch.

Having not scored in 13 straight games, Monahan now has goals in two consecutive games, including an overtime winner against the San Jose Sharks. As a goal-scorer, ending a streak as long as 13 games can be tough; nothing ever seems to go your way, and you inevitably try to force things to happen.

Head coach Bob Hartley simply told Monahan that he needs to step it up offensively, then put him on the ice to score an empty net goal against the Arizona Coyotes, breaking the streak and giving his young centerman his confidence back. Monahan is Calgary’s No.1 pivot, and when he is having a tough time, the team may feel the effects too. Hartley recognized what Monahan was going through and handled the situation accordingly, like a true veteran coach.<

The timing couldn’t have been better; the team is playing well, and now both Monahan and the Flames are carrying momentum into Los Angeles. While Calgary is currently ahead of the Kings in the standings, the gap is small, and the Kings are still a threat every night.

Both Monahan and the Flames will need to play as they have recently for Calgary to have the best chance at success.
Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google.