Sam Bennett

Flames' Stajan trying to ignite sputtering Bennett

Published Jan. 11, 2016 12:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Calgary Flames rookie forward Sam Bennett is used to scoring goals.

After all, the 19-year-old Bennett excelled last season with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League - scoring 36 goals and setting up 55 others in just 57 contests. Fast forward back to the present and Bennett's 18-game drought without a tally has veteran Matt Stajan doing his best to keep up the spirits of the fourth overall pick of the 2014 draft.

Via CalgaryFlames.com:

"You can't overthink it. ... Every year, every player goes through stints like this. Obviously sometimes in your career you go through longer ones. There's no doubt in my mind if he gets one, he'll get a bunch after that. That's just the way hockey goes sometimes. You’ve got to keep it simple."

Bennett, who has just one assist during his drought, has scored five goals and set up eight others in 39 contests this season. His last goal was scored in Calgary's 5-3 setback to the Pacific Division-rival Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 24.

Hi from the Dome where #Flames lines are: Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland Bennett-Granlund-Jooris Bouma-Backlund-Jones Bollig-Stajan-Colborne
— Kristen Odland (@KristenOdlandCH) January 10, 2016

This was not how Bennett envisioned his first full season with the Flames, especially after he recorded three playoff goals during the team's sprint to the second round of the playoffs last spring.

Bennett will look to contribute on the offensive end on Monday when Calgary (19-19-2) continues its four-game homestand against the San Jose Sharks (19-18-2).

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Sam Bennett

Calgary Flames

National Hockey League