Update on Markstrom.
He played well in relief on Tuesday night in that OT loss to the Bruins, where Ullmark made like a million saves.
And last night versus the Leafs he was just terrific. 32 saves on 34 shots and stopped some point blank excellent chances, including a breakaway from Nylander (who almost always converts on those) and several Marner shots. He kept the Flames in the game, and really looked like last year's Markstrom.
Is it possible that the impending birth of his daughter had him a bit messed up, and now that she's born and healthy his heads back in it? Maybe.
My theory is that now Sutter gives him lots of starts and he goes on a little run to see if the Flames can break through - they are definitely behind the 8-ball but have some big head to head games coming (including at home v the Wild tomorrow and then in Minnesota Tuesday), and then have some supposedly easy games (Ducks, Coyotes) interspersed with tough matchups (Stars, Sens, Knights, Kings). The next 10 games will be crucial, and knowing Treliving he's going to add today to give them a little scoring boost, which has been lacking. We'll see.
Couldn't come at a better time - my playoffs started Tuesday and Markstrom is a major factor in whether I'll have success!