Four game losing streak.
Three straight lost in extra time.
The Calgary Flames are certainly taking their time in getting back into the playoff picture in the West.
Tonight it was a rough start, giving up two goals before the game was only two minutes old. From there they battled back, took the lead, but couldn’t hold it as they dropped a 4-3 shoot out decision to their rival Vancouver Canucks.
Next up on the schedule is the St. Louis Blues before the Flames hit the road to California.
The Lineup
Looks like the Flames are getting some good injury news with both Elias Lindholm and Mackenzie Weegar returning from one game absences; Chris Tanev is day to day, which in itself is good news.
Up front Elias Lindholm returns to center Jonathan Huberdeau and Tyler Toffoli, Nazem Kadri remains between Andrew Mangiapane and Dillon Dube, Mikael Backlund sees his usual third line re-formed with Adam Ruzicka and Blake Coleman, and a new fourth line of Radim Zahorna between Brett Ritchie and Trevor Lewis.
Milan Lucic and Matthew Phillips sit this out; the third straight sit for Lucic.
On the blueline the Flames walk out Noah Hanifin with Rasmus Andersson, Nikita Zadorov with Mackenzie Weegar, and Connor Mackey, dressing for Tanev with Michael Stone.
Jacob Markstrom gets the start after his first star turn in Montreal.
Line Metrics
xGF%
Huberdeau – Lindholm – Toffoli 55.2%
Dube – Kadri – Mangiapane 46.8%
Ruzicka – Backlund – Coleman 56.2%
Ritchie – Zahorna – Lewis NA
Hanifin – Andersson 46.5%
Zadorov – Weegar 55.6%
Mackey – Stone 59.3%
Goals Saved + Avg
Markstrom +6.0
Vladar -2.5
Trend Tracker:
Jacob Markstrom’s play in Montreal was the thing of multiple games when you see his goals saved above average more than double in one game up to +6.0. That’s not a usual nights work. … Solid first and third lines in what they give up, but they still need to get better defensive work from the second unit …. The new third pairing with Mackey in the lineup has decent numbers, albeit in a very sheltered role.
Terrible Start
The Flames were down 2-0 on three shots on goal within the first two minutes of the hockey game.
And then they took a minor threatening the final result itself.
So I guess when framed in that light, a come from behind point is better than how it looked early.
Calgary roars back to tie it up before the end of the first period and even goes ahead early in the second for a fleeting moment.
Losing streaks suck, but this could have been worse.
Markstrom’s Night
Rough start with two seeing eye pucks getting past him, but then he settled in.
Was bested in the shoot out by his counterpart at the other end.
Overall not a bad night for Markstrom statistically as the old expected goals matched the actual, but guessing not the night he was hoping to walk out on home ice after his strong performance in Montreal.
Special Teams
Good night for the Flames on special teams, as they score the only non five on five goal and keep the Canucks off the special teams scoresheet.
Flames go 1/4 on the powerplay, the Canucks 0/2.
Statistically the Canucks’ powerplay was more dangerous than the Flames version, but in the end Calgary gets the only special teams goal.
Standings and Record
Losing four in a row, but with points in their last three games has been enough to keep the Flames close to the final playoff spot, but certainly hasn’t been enough to lay claim to a spot.
They are tied with the Avalanche in points, but Denver has three games in hand.
They are two points back of the Oilers with even games played.
Just three points back of the Kings with two games in hand, the club that could be the clear target for both Edmonton and Calgary.
Counting Stats
Shots: Flames 38 Canucks 27
Face Offs: Flames 50% / Canucks 50%
Powerplay: Flames 1-4 / Canucks 0-2
Fancy Stats
The Flames settled in after the terrible start and were the better team five on five. The issue that plagues the team was the primary issue again tonight, which is shot volume but not enough by way of high quality to get things done. They did hit that three goal mark and have a lead though, just couldn’t take it home. Five on five the Flames had 54% of the shot attempts with period splits of 61%/47% and 58% respectively. In terms of five on five expected goals, the Flames had 59%, and for high danger scoring chances the Flames had 45%, with a 9-11 split.
In all situations the Flames had 54% of the shot attempts, 57% of the expected goals, and 52% of the high danger splits. The all situations expected goal totals came out at 3.77 to 2.86.
Individually the Flames were led by the fourth line with Brett Ritchie, Radim Zahorna and Trevor Lewis all posting a xGF% of 84% on the night five on five. Noah Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson were in the 70s. Only five players were under water, the top line of Elias Lindholm, Jonathan Huberdeau and Tyler Toffoli, and the third defense pairing of Connor Mackey and Michael Stone.
