NHL scores 2017: Another stellar Brian Elliott performance has the Flames surging

While we were all sleeping, the Calgary Flames climbed into second place in the Pacific Division. You probably missed it, but the Flames have won nine in a row — yes really — to tie a franchise record that’s stood since they last played in a different city, as they cement themselves as real players in the postseason.

If it feels like you were blindsided by this sudden turn of events, no worries. The Flames crept up on us too, and the rest of the Pacific, it seems. Since the start of their run on Feb. 21, Calgary has jumped both the up-and-coming Oilers and the ever-present Ducks for the division’s second-place slot.

A big reason for their turnaround from fringe playoff team to solid bet has been, without a doubt, the play of Brian Elliott. In his eight games during this stretch, he has posted a .947 save percentage with two shutouts, including Saturday’s 3-0 victory over the Jets.

Incredibly, Elliott’s shutout on March 9 against Montreal was his first of the season. Considering how cold he was to start the year, maybe it’s not that surprising. He’s finally starting to show just why Calgary acquired him last offseason.

It’s highly unlikely this pace keeps up all the way to the postseason, but Calgary’s putting itself in a real solid position to give us a Battle of Alberta series in the first round. A Flames vs. Oilers series, guys. Just think on that for a second and bask in how glorious that’d be. Thank you, Calgary.

Bruins 2, Flyers 1
Predators 3, Sharks 1
Sabres 5, Blue Jackets 3
Lightning 3, Panthers 2
Senators 4, Avalanche 2
Flames 3, Jets 0
Maple Leafs 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT)
Coyotes 5, Devils 4
Blues 4, Islanders 3
Penguins 3, Canucks 0
Kings 4, Capitals 2

1. The Flyers’ playoff hopes likely died in the worst possible way

As we get down to the nitty-gritty, tense final moments of this season, points are at an all-time premium. Philadelphia, for instance, is one team in a must-win situation. On Saturday, however, its dreams for a postseason berth were likely dashed by the Bruins thanks to Drew Stafford’s tiebreaking goal with 5.6 seconds left in regulation:

If looks could kill, Steve Mason. Instead of a much-needed point in a chance for two in overtime, Brandon Manning deflected the puck past Mason in an own goal that absolutely sums up the Flyers 2016-17 season.

2. The Sabres and Blue Jackets had a pair of incredible games

What a playoff series this would make, if only Buffalo were in a better position. The Sabres and the Blue Jackets played in a home-and-home series to start the weekend, and what games they were. On Friday, Boone Jenner gave the Blue Jackets the last-minute victory in a back-and-forth 4-3 win.

Then on Saturday, Buffalo returned the favor with Evander Kane’s power play tally with two-and-a-half minutes to go.

Quite the impressive win for the Sabres, as they scored five straight in the 5-3 victory.

3. Montreal’s been dethroned in the Atlantic

Thanks to Ottawa’s 4-2 win over Colorado, the Senators are now the Atlantic’s top team. For the first time since the second week of the season, the Canadiens are no longer at the top of the Atlantic:

All those points banked by Montreal at the start of the year? Gone.

4. New Jersey can’t stop losing by one goal

Though the Devils are truly well out of the playoff race, they’re currently in a big-time funk. New Jersey’s lost its last 10 games, and seven of them have been by a one-goal difference. It’s heartbreaking to lose that many games in a row, but even more so to be that close and lose out by one goal.

Saturday, the Devils were bested by the Coyotes in a game that looked to be well out of their hands after Arizona opened up with three straight goals in the first period. A comeback was denied, however, when Taylor Hall was stopped by Mike Smith on a late third period penalty shot.

Toronto keeps the honor of being the Eastern Conference’s final wild card spot for one more day thanks to an Islanders loss and this overtime goal from Morgan Rielly: