The perfect start is finished.
The streak however continues!
A 2-1 overtime loss in Seattle on Saturday night put an end to two long streaks. The Flames had been perfect in all six games in Seattle leading up to tonight’s result, but had to settle for an overtime loss and the single point.
The overtime loss also puts an end to the Flames blemishless start to the season as they move to 4-0-1.
Calgary was the better team five on five throughout the night, but Seattle more dangerous with the man advantage as the two hard working teams needed extra time (and less players on the ice) to finish things off.
Calgary’s top line with an inserted Matt Coronato was dominant.
Dan Vladar very good in the nets for Calgary.
The Lineup
It’s interesting how much consternation goes into the opening roster every season, only to have it completely change due to injuries in short order.
This season is no different.
Kevin Rooney has missed all but one period this season, and now Sam Honzek is out week to week with an upper body injury.
As a result we have some changes up front. Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko welcome the suddenly soaring Matt Coronato to the first line. No change to the second and third line with Martin Pospisil between Jonathan Huberdeau and Anthony Mantha and Mikael Backlund with Blake Coleman and Connor Zary. The fourth line with a tweak as Justin Kirkland centers Ryan Lomberg and Adam Klapka.
On the blueline we see a change to the Mackenzie Weegar pairing with Daniil Miromanov coming out of the lineup and Tyson Barrie coming in. Rasmus Andersson remains with Kevin Bahl, and Jake Bean stays paired up with Brendan Pachal.
Vladar’s Start
Quiet in terms of shots on goal, as the stopper only had 10 shots to face through 40 minutes.
His night seemed more difficult than that though as the chances seemed more dangerous than the stats, and there was a two man advantage to contend with.
Much busier in the third period however, with the Kraken clearly the better team for the last frame’s first ten minutes.
Gets them to overtime and loses on a turnover.
Solid night for Vladar.
Coronato Up the Roster
For the most part a good start.
Two of his first three shifts were in the offensive zone and he had some affective touches. But he also took a hooking penalty on his first shift of the game. If you remember Huska’s relationship with Andrew Mangiapane last year you know an offensive zone penalty usually results in less ice time.
When you’re young and a shooter the key to moving up the roster is to be able to handle the puck and move it, keeping offensive plays moving. Coronato certainly did that as his line dominated the game in terms of play driving, spending skads of time in the offensive zone.
He fanned on a toe drag opportunity, a clear chance that he likely buries when he settles down.
Solid game in the top six.
On the Farm
Did the Flames dodge a bullet in getting Jakob Pelletier through waivers to start the season? I maintained that the risk was smart compared to trading the player for a 7th round pick given the player’s upside. Now he’s in the AHL and has put up 8 assists in 4 games to start the season. Confidence returning, you’d have to think he gets a look at some point. … And speaking of confidence what has gotten into Rory Kerins? Overlooked and relegated to the non prospect camp team, the center has 7 goals in 4 starts to start the season. Has to get him back on the radar. … Hunter Brzustewicz with an understandably tepid start to his pro career with one assist and an even rating in four games. Takes time.
Odds and Sods
Not a shot heavy start to this one. Neither team with a shot in the first 5+ minutes, the Kraken had a two minute powerplay. The Flames without a shot until ten seconds before the mid point of the first period. The low shot totals continued, Calgary only gave up ten through 40 minutes. … The Flames followed a different script in this one, as they had a weak third period, departing from their first four games where they poured it on. Almost cost them both points, but only cost them one. … No five on five goals in this one. The two teams alternated powerplay goals in the first half of the game, and the Kraken won it on a 3 on 3 overtime goal. … Did Nazem Kadri turn it over in overtime? 100%. Was it the play to make? Also 100%. He gets around that forward and it’s a odd man break for Calgary, and with overtime the name of the game is puck possession and he had no where else to go. Happens.
Fancy Stats
Five on five the Flames didn’t give up much. Through 44 minutes of five on five hockey the Flames kept the Kraken to the outside, and played a solid road game. The Flames, five on five, had 55% (52%/67%/50%) of the shot attempts, 73% of the high danger chances, and 72% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 50% of the shot attempts, 70% of the high danger chances and 63% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by Matt Coronato with an xGF% of 85%. He was joined in the 80s by Jake Bean, Brayden Pachal, Mikael Backlund, Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko, as a third of the roster was dominant. On the other side, the bloom fell off the fourth line rose with Justin Kirkland and Ryan Lomberg posting numbers around 5%.
