Flames at Red Wings
Johnny Gaudreau would well be within his right to be winded after collecting 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) during 14 games in December, surpassing his previous best total for a month by seven. Gaudreau looks to carry his good fortune into the new calendar year on Wednesday as the Calgary Flames open a four-game road trip against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
Gaudreau (team co-leading 21 goals, club-best 34 assists and 55 points) joined Matthew Tkachuk by scoring two goals and setting up two others while Sean Monahan had a career-high five assists in Monday's 8-5 victory versus San Jose. Calgary's offensive outburst is nothing new, as the club has scored seven or more goals for an NHL-best fifth time this season. Detroit has cooled off considerably since the start of December, falling for the 12th time in its last 15 (3-8-4) after seeing a three-goal lead go by the boards in Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to Florida. Dylan Larkin set up Gustav Nyquist's first-period tally to extend his career-high point streak to 14 games (seven goals, 10 assists) heading into the tilt with Calgary, against which he has six points (two goals, four assists) in six encounters.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS Detroit
ABOUT THE FLAMES (24-12-4): In addition to Gaudreau, Monahan has 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in his past 15 games while linemate Elias Lindholm boosted his point total to 10 in his last seven outings following a three-point performance versus San Jose. The 24-year-old Swede netted his career-high 18th goal of the season against the Sharks and boosted his power-play point total to 15. "Our top line is driving the bus but I think a lot of guys chipped in (Monday) and that's big too," said fellow forward Mikael Backlund, who tallied twice versus San Jose.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (15-19-7): Darren Helm skated on a line with Luke Glendening and Andreas Athanasiou on Tuesday as he bids to snap a 21-game absence due to a shoulder injury. "I expect Helm to be ready for tomorrow," coach Jeff Blashill said. "We'll make final determination tomorrow after pregame skate but I expect him to be ready tomorrow." As for Athanasiou, the speedy 24-year-old has scored twice in his last three games after being held without a goal in his previous 11.
OVERTIME
1. Nyquist recorded 16 (seven goals, nine assists) of his 34 points in December.
2. Tkachuk has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in his last 13 games.
3. Detroit G Jimmy Howard owns a 9-7-1 mark versus Calgary in 17 career encounters despite posting an .898 save percentage.