Another workmanlike hockey game from the Calgary Flames.
A shut down first.
Some opportunistic finish in the second.
And some great Dustin Wolf goaltending to steer it home as the Flames beat the LA Kings 3-1 and push their point streak to four games.
The Flames received goals from Mikael Backlund, Jonathan Huberdeau and Kevin Rooney into an empty net.
Dustin Wolf had his shutout bid lost on a review with 2.5 minutes to go in the game.
The Lineup
Some roster moves since the Buffalo game; Dryden Hunt back down to the Wranglers with Adam Klapka coming back up. Sadly Anthony Mantha needs ACL surgery and is gone for the season.
So it’s Nazem Kadri with Connor Zary and Yegor Sharangovich, Martin Pospisil back at center with Jonathan Huberdeau and Andrei Kuzmenko, a third line of Mikael Backlund with Blake Coleman and Matt Coronato, and a fourth line of Kevin Rooney with Justin Kirkland and Ryan Lomberg. Klapka sits.
No change to the top two pairings; Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl. Mackenzie Weegar with Daniil Miromanov. And a new third pairing of Brayden Pachal with Tyson Barrie.
Dustin Wolf gets the start in goal.
Pre Game Stats
With the three game Eastern swing behind them, lets have a look at how the Flames fare in key team play driving statistics.
Five on five offence – Flames rank 21st in the league in xGF60, as they struggle to generate offence. They are 23rd in actual goals for per game, just under their expected rate. They are 15th in the league in shots per game five on five, and 16th in high danger chances per 60.
Five on five defence – Calgary sits middle of the road defensively with an xGA60 that is ranked 16th. Their actual goals against per 60 five on five is much better though, sitting at 6th overall. Credit the goaltenders, though as they are ranked 25th in five on five shots against per 60. They have the 10th best high danger chances against per 60.
They have the 10th ranked five on five PDO based on a 20th ranked team shooting percentage and the third best five on five save percentage.
Where would this team be without their goaltending?
Wrangler’s Beat
Another win, another Devin Cooley shutout.
The stopper was also named player of the week in the AHL with a 2-1-0 record, a 0.64 GAA and a .976 save percentage.
Now games played be damned there is only one goaltender ahead of him in save percentage, and that player has played half the games.
This could turn into quite the signing.
Up front Jakob Pelletier is feeling it again, with five points in his last three games and 14 overall in 14 games this year after a quiet spell.
Wolf’s Start
Literally nothing to do for the first 10 minutes of the night, but then really solid the rest of the way for the Flames.
Took what looked like a shut out into the final 2.5 minutes and then lost the doughnut on a review. The play did look to have the puck in the net.
The Kings with 2.55 in all situations expected goals, and Wolf only gives up the single (and barely).
Great game for Wolf.
Prime Broadcast
I thought the Prime hockey broadcast was excellent.
Great pace to the overall broadcast in my opinion. They could give the Sportsnet gang a pointer or two.
And they did their research on Flames history and the city of Calgary. Having Hickey, a Calgarian between the benches was a good touch too.
I won’t be disappointed with more of those going forward.
Coach Huska
It’s probably well overdue in giving Ryan Huska some credit for how this hockey team is playing.
They’ve had some bounces.
They’ve had great goaltending.
But they don’t look like a bottom five team in the National Hockey League.
They are all on the same page and fun to watch.
Zary Zary Zary
Just an electric game from Connor Zary.
Two first period dangles that should have resulted in goals. More good give and gos in the second to create a prolonged pressure shift.
In the third another drive to the net that easily could have completed a hat trick.
If the guy had better puck luck he’d be a point per game player in the National Hockey League already.
Get him extended!
Odds and Sods
It’s going to be interesting to watch the skyline change in Calgary over the next few years with the new building coming. Already it’s different. Way more high rises to the south of 9th Avenue, and the new BMO center instead of the Corral. Have to admit the Prime outside camera looked pretty good! … That was quite the first period exchange between Jonathan Huberdeau and Andrei Kuzmenko. About 7 passes back and forth and a lot of them blind. … … That was a hell of a board battle for Matt Coronato in the last minute of the second period. He just never gave up. Stronger on the skates and likely stronger between the ears in that he now feels like he belongs at this level. Pretty impressive. … The goal review went the way it should in my mind. Initially a view had it behind the goal line from above the net, but the cincher was that focused view that had the puck clearly across the line and from a closer look. … Subtle but excellent play by Coronato to spring the game winner. Another long fuse play from the rookie.
Fancy Stats
The Flames had the first half of the game pretty much locked down, but then gave up a lot from the slot and pushed Dustin Wolf into the spotlight to steer the thing home. The Flames, five on five, had 40% (53%/35%/32%) of the shot attempts, 43% of the high danger chances, and 39% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 43% of the shot attempts, 55% of the high danger chances and 45% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by Martin Pospisil with an xGF% of 65%. Only two other players were above water; Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl. Three players finished up right around the 30% mark at the bottom of the stack; Blake Coleman, Mikael Backlund and Mackenzie Weegar.
