It took a little time, but Yegor Sharangovich looks like he’s rounding back into form for the Calgary Flames.
With goals in three straight games, the 26-year-old sniper seems to be feeling comfortable again after a rough start to the season while recovering from an injury suffered in the Flames’ last preseason game. He didn’t get into action again for nearly a month.
After heading to Calgary in a deal with the Devils that sent Tyler Toffoli to New Jersey, Sharangovich had a stellar debut season with the Flames. He dressed for all 82 games and scored 31 goals and 59 points, playing key roles on both the powerplay and penalty kill.
Three of his five goals this season are on the man-advantage — an area the Flames have struggled in until these past few games.
Added to a line with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Coronato, Sharangovich seems to be driving the play more, and the line has arguably been the team’s best since being assembled.
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“He’s had the puck, and now he’s a threat to shoot again, which is a good sign for us,” Flames head coach Ryan Huska said on Monday in Detroit ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Red Wings.
“I think the line’s been excellent. They’ve been our best line, in my opinion, over the last number of games and (Sharangovich) is kind of being back wanting and controlling the play a lot.”
Combining for 28 shots as a line in the past two games, Sharangovich has launched seven in each to pace the team.
The team has yet to score four goals in 65 minutes since their first couple of games of the season, so having a healthy and hungry Sharangovich is key to keeping the Flames one tally ahead of the competition.
If the other lines can find similar chemistry, the Flames should be able to keep earning points.