Remember that poor start to the season for Brian Elliott?
It was only in October, although it might be difficult for Calgary Flames fans to recall such a time, especially considering the run their team was just on and the run Elliott is currently enjoying as their starting goalie.
The Flames defeated the Dallas Stars on Friday. The Stars, having played the night before, were without captain Jamie Benn due to an apparent eye injury suffered in a fight with Nikita Tryamkin of the Canucks.
Calgary moves back ahead of Edmonton for third in the Pacific Division, as the Oilers slide back into a wild card spot.
Elliott made a tidy 24 saves, tested mostly during the second period. He has now won each of his last 10 starts -- a stretch that has included consecutive shut outs and a 32-save effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
While the Flames have become a much better puck possession team with an offense carried by more than just Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, their improvements at the goaltender position last summer shouldn’t be overlooked.
Despite a difficult start -- 14 goals allowed in his first three games with Calgary -- Elliott has provided them with particularly good goaltending for some time now, although this has been his most impressive stretch of the season.
The Flames host the L.A. Kings on Sunday.