Good hockey teams win games when they don’t have their “A” game.
The “B” game they put forward has warts, they wobble, it’s not a perfect showing, but they dig in and find a way to get points more often than not.
Last night felt like a “B” game with a “A” game final score.
The Flames were on their heels to start the game, but bailed out by Jacob Markstrom, escaping the first with a 2-0 lead.
But from there they settled into a more “A” game type of contest and skated away with a 6-2 win over the Ducks.
The win gives the Flames eight straight both at home and on the season, two back of the franchise record.
Day off tomorrow, then Mark Giordano comes to town on Saturday.
The Lineup
Only one change for tonight’s game in a back to back situation, and that’s the addition of a well rested Jacob Markstrom with Dan Vladar winning last night.
No other changes.
So it’s Elias Lindholm with Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau, Mikael Backlund with Blake Coleman and Andrew Mangiapane, the newly minted third line with Sean Monahan between Dillon Dube and Tyler Toffoli; the line enjoyed a 64% xGF% night in their first spin as a trio. And finally the emerging Adam Ruzicka with Milan Lucic and Trevor Lewis.
On the blueline it’s Noah Hanifin with Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington with Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov with Erik Gudbranson.
Line Metrics
xGF%
Gaudreau – Lindholm – Tkachuk 63.2%
Mangiapane – Backlund – Coleman 64.0%
Dube – Monahan – Toffoli 64.3%
Lucic – Ruzicka- Lewis 47.1%
Hanifin – Andersson 57.9%
Kylington – Tanev 59.2%
Zadorov – Gudbranson 58.6%
Goals Saved + Avg
Markstrom +11.4
Who They Playing?
The Ducks have the 20th ranked shot attempt split at 48.22%. They are 22nd in CF60, and 24th in CA60. They are a little worse in terms of xGF% at 23rd, 17th in xGF60 and 26th in xGA60. They give up a lot of chances.
They have the 23rd ranked five on five team shooting percentage, and are bailed out by their goaltending with a 15th ranked team save percentage. Their PDO is middle of the pack and right on 1.000.
They have a lethal powerplay, ranked 6th in the league, about four percentage points better than the Flames. They have a solid penalty kill as well, ranked 7th.
Rasmus Andersson Becoming a Star?
Three point night for Rasmus Andersson, a new career high.
That’s now 11 points in his last 13 games, but it’s more than the production.
He’s creating offence by taking pucks wide both on the rush and from his point position, something we saw on the penalty he drew in the second period.
His defensive metrics are solid, his production is popping, add in his snarky sense of humour and he’s become a pretty important part of the Calgary Flames on and off the ice.
Lindholm and Linemates Go Off Again
All three players have three point nights, Lindholm with two goals and almost a third as Johnny Gaudreau tried desperately to get Lindholm the empty netter before settling on having to do the honors himself.
Lindholm’s second goal was hilarious as he made a terrible pass but had the puck bounce off the boards and back to him as he continued on into the Anahem zone, then promptly put it top corner just under the bar.
Lindholm was the “quiet one” one when Tkachuk and Gaudreau were tearing the NHL to shreds in January, but now has back to back three point games, and 13 points in his last 8 games.
Can’t believe this guy makes less than $5M per season.
Monahan and Dube with Two Point Nights
Good to see the newly formed third line get their chances for the second straight night with Tyler Toffoli.
Toffoli was held pointless and had a bad giveaway leading to the Ducks’ second goal, but Dillon Dube scored for the second time in two nights, and Sean Monahan picked up an assist and came close to stealing a goal from Lindholm on the powerplay.
Markstrom Key Early
The score looked like the typical Flames contest of late, but don’t be fooled, this one looked and felt much closer than the final score.
Jacob Markstrom had to make a dozen saves in the first period, and some highlight reel saves in the second to keep the game in the Flame’s favour until two late second period goals pretty much put it away.
Was good to see Markstrom get some rest, and Dan Vladar some work this week, the team will need both guys going well with their condensed schedule.
Special Teams
The Flames scored two powerplay goals, the second of which came on a rush with just a 30 second window after some four on four hockey. They also gave up a shorty for a +1 night.
The Ducks went 0-5 in their chances so give the nod to the Flames for special teams on the night.
Standings and Record
With the Eichel led Knights losing to the Avalanche the Flames move to three points up on Vegas for the division lead, and still with two games in hand.
Beating the Ducks pushed them out of a playoff spot with Edmonton and LA essentially tied (Edmonton with a game in hand) for the third spot in the Pacific.
The Flames are third in the conference with a .660 win percentage and growing the gap over Vegas at .602
League wide the Flames are 9th with the Rangers in site.
Flames Shot Volume
It won’t surprise anyone with these nightly 40 shot totals that the Flames are near the top of the league in terms of shots on goal, but not in first as the Florida Panthers continue to keep pace.
The Panthers average 35.95 per night, the Flames 35.81.
The same two teams are 1 and 2 in shot attempts as well with a very tight balance.
The Flames are 5th in xGF/60 and 7th in high danger chances per 60; all of these numbers in all situations.
Counting Stats
Shots: Flames 403 Ducks 28
Face Offs: Flames 55% / Ducks 45%
Powerplay: Flames 2-5 / Ducks 0-5
Fancy Stats
Calgary had a shaky start to the back to back home game, having the Ducks driving the play for much of the first period, before settling down in the second period. Five on five the Flames had 59% of the shot attempts with period splits of 33%/60% and 78% respectively. In terms of five on five expected goals, the Flames had 59%, and for high danger scoring chances the Flames had 50%, with a 7-7 split.
In all situations the Flames had 57% of the shot attempts, 64% of the expected goals, and 61% of the high danger splits.
Individually the Flames were led by Adam Ruzicka and Trevor Lewis each with 73% of the five on five shot attempts when on the ice. Johnny Gaudreau was just behind. Seven players were in the 60s including; Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Matthew Tkachuk, Rasmus Andersson, Blake Coleman, Tyler Toffoli and Milan Lucic. Only four players were under water; Andrew Mangiapane, Mikael Backlund, Oliver Kylington and Dillon Dube.
