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NHL Power Rankings: Week 8 Injuries, Prospects, In-Depth Analysis

By Matt Duscharme

Nov 15, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward David Desharnais (51) reacts with teammates including Tomas Plekanec (14) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward David Desharnais (51) reacts with teammates including Tomas Plekanec (14) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Power Rankings: Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (not pictured) scores a goal on Calgary Flames goalie Chad Johnson (31) during the third period at Joe Louis Arena. Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (not pictured) scores a goal on Calgary Flames goalie Chad Johnson (31) during the third period at Joe Louis Arena. Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 26 (-4)

Team Record: (11-13-2)

Goals For:

59 (T-15th)

Goals Against:

76 (28th)

Special Teams

PP: 8-for-79 (10.1 percent) (30th)
PK: 22-for-97 (77.3 percent) (28th)

Injury List

Johnny Gaudreau – Finger – Late-December
Lance Bouma – Shoulder – Week-to-Week
Ladislav Smid – Neck – Out-for-Season

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Michael Frolik (26gp 6g 9a 15pts)
Top Defenseman: Dougie Hamilton (26gp 2g 10a 12pts)
Top Rookie: Matthew Tkachuk (22gp 6g 4a 10pts)
Top Goaltender: Chad Johnson (8 wins 2.06GAA .930 save percentage)

Player of the Week: G Chad Johnson (3gp 2w 2.01GAA .949 save percentage)

Calgary had a pretty solid week seven going 2-1-1 thanks to Chad Johnson’s consistent play in net. Sam Bennett being on top of his game doesn’t hurt either since the Flames are missing an important piece in Johnny Gaudreau. Also, Matthew Tkachuk keeps showing his grinding edge as he has 15+ penalty minutes in the last week alone.

Calgary managed to pull off wins against predominantly tougher teams in Boston and Toronto, but lost to weaker teams in Philadelphia and the Islanders. Week eight should boast very interesting for the Flames as they have games against Minnesota, Anaheim, and Dallas. Realistically, they should be able to gather the win in Minny, but if Johnson continues to carry the Flames from the back-end they could very well muster up four of the possible six points. Sam Bennett, and Calgary’s defense also need to be on top of their games due to the tough schedule ahead.

Weekly Prospect Profile: RW/LW Emile Poirier, Stockton (AHL)

2016-17 stats: 15gp 2g 7a 9pts

Emile Poirier is a great offensive forward, he possesses outstanding hands to go along with a great shot. He’s able to make plays at top speed which leaves him in a small group of players that can do the same. His creativity often takes defenseman by surprise and tends to create chances for his teammates simply out of nothing. The only thing Poirier needs to work on is his play without the puck as well as continuing to get stronger so he can handle the hard hitting professional game. One more year or two in Stockton would help Emile fine tune these two issues, and once he does, he’ll have no problem cracking the Flames lineup and being an NHL regular. – Matt Duscharme

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