It will not be just another hockey game for the Calgary Flames when they visit Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Friday afternoon.
While the Flames are challenging the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights despite a recent 0-1-1 fall from a four-game win streak, this one has deeper meaning as the two teams that Johnny Gaudreau played for during his 11-year NHL career meet for the first time since his tragic death in August.
“Honestly, I don’t want to look too far ahead. I’m just gonna try to get through the game — to go there will be hard,” Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson said. “Seeing the banner (at Nationwide Arena featuring Gaudreau’s name and No. 13), that kind of stuff will be tough. There are probably going to be a lot of emotions, and rightfully so.”
Andersson considered Gaudreau — who began his NHL career as a Flame from 2013-22 before electing to sign closer to his native New Jersey with the Blue Jackets for the next two seasons — one of his first close friends in the NHL.
Many other players also share similar sentiments, adding emotion to both Friday’s game and the return game next Tuesday in Calgary which the Gaudreau family is expected to attend.
Among those players is Columbus center Sean Monahan, a former Flames player who expected to reunite with Gaudreau on the ice after signing as a free agent in July. The 30-year-old has still made a huge impact with his new team, including netting seven points during a three-game win streak that was snapped with a 4-3 overtime loss on Wednesday to the visiting Montreal Canadiens.
Monahan’s 20 points in 21 games are tied for second on the Blue Jackets and trail only defenseman Zach Werenski, who logged a goal and an assist against Montreal to extend his point streak to six games.
“Just to have a veteran presence, obviously with his connection with Johnny, was something we all were excited about seeing back together,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “Obviously, and, unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
“(Monahan) is the consummate pro. He’s a stabilizing figure on the ice and in our locker room.”
The NHL’s First Star of the Week, Werenski’s surge has been especially important with captain Boone Jenner injured (shoulder). The Blue Jackets’ lineup also missed center Cole Sillinger (upper-body) on Wednesday.
“I think I have to (be a leader) with some guys out, but I’m also at the age (27) where I feel more comfortable doing it,” Werenski said. “I feel like I can get a pulse on the room, what needs to be said in certain situations, and I’ve enjoyed it.”
The Flames also suffered an overtime loss on Wednesday. After Connor Zary’s power-play goal with 2:48 left in the third period tied the score, the host Detroit Red Wings bounced back to take a 2-1 result.
Zary and fellow center Yegor Sharangovich each ride four-game point streaks into Columbus. Sharangovich had scored in three straight contests prior to Wednesday.
Zary’s man-up goal was the sixth for the Flames in a five-game span.
Calgary is 3-4-4 on the road, while Columbus — which swept last season’s head-to-head matchups — is just 2-6-2 at home.
Something has to give on Wednesday, and Flames coach Ryan Huska hopes that his team can stick to what makes it successful regardless of the place.
“There’s things that make our team a good hockey team, and if those things are present, it gives us a chance to win,” Huska said. “It doesn’t guarantee wins, but we feel we’re going to be in games and now our power play can help us out and win us close games.”
–Field Level Media