The Flames had their six game home winning streak snapped tonight, but were the better team in this one and likely deserved a better fate.
Calgary erased a 2-0 and 3-2 St. Louis lead to get the game to overtime and earn a point, before dropping the game on a controversial overtime goal that had Pareyko seemingly push the pad of Dan Vladar into the cage with the puck.
The Flames were paced by their youth with call up Jakob Pelletier, and Matt Coronato both scoring goals.
Next up for the Flames a road game in Dallas on Sunday night.
The Lineup
A big win, an emotional night, and with that no need to change anything for tonight’s game against the St Louis Blues. Ryan Huska leaves the four forward lines, the three defense pairings and the starting goaltender in place.
Connor Zary up the middle between call up Walker Duehr and Blake Coleman, Nazem Kadri with Jonathan Huberdeau and Martin Pospisil, Mikael Backlund between Yegor Sharangovich and Matt Coronato, and Kevin Rooney with Jakob Pelletier and Ryan Lomberg.
One the blueline we see Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl. Mackenzie Weegar with Daniil Miromanov. And Jake Bean with Brayden Pachal on the third pairing.
Dan Vladar gets the start after shutting out the Jackets on Tuesday.
Pre Game Stats Dive
The Backlund play driving story continues.
It’s been interesting in the last few weeks to watch the Flame’s line up with Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund on separate lines. For two years they were 2/3 of the Flames most consistent forward trio, regardless of who lined up on the other side.
Now apart we are seeing Backlund doing just fine thank you.
The Flames have five forward lines that have played 50 or more minutes together and posted a positive expected goal split. Mikael Backlund is on three of them.
And since the divorce he has a 62.7% mark with Yegor Sharangovich and Matt Coronato, while Blake Coleman is 48.3% with Jonathan Huberdeau and Connor Zary.
2024 Draft Class Progression
Clearly points aren’t everything.
When you draft offensively minded hockey players, you often send them back to the junior ranks with a list of things to work on, and two way or defensive hockey is usually one of them.
But they were drafted for offence so it’s interesting to keep an eye on their production.
| GP | Pts | PPG | PPG 23/24 | |
| Parekh | 23 | 30 | 1.30 | 1.45 |
| Gridin | 24 | 28 | 1.17 | 1.38 |
| Basha | 17 | 20 | 1.18 | 1.35 |
| Battaglia | 27 | 38 | 1.41 | 0.97 |
| Mews | 25 | 31 | 1.24 | 0.94 |
| Misa | 25 | 34 | 1.36 | 1.23 |
Vladar’s Start
An ebb and flow night for Dan Vladar.
Gives up two first period goals, shuts the door in the second, gives up a goal and has little to do in the third.
Then a loss on a controversial overtime goal where it appears his pad was pushed into the net with the puck.
The Blues ended up with 2.74 in expected goals, Vladar gives up four, but was solid on the night overall.
Guessing we see Wolf on Sunday in Dallas though.
Odds and Sods
Watching some of the Jordan Binnington season highlights during the first period had me wondering again why the Blues don’t make those light blue third jerseys their main kit? Come up with a white version and drop the ones they’ve worn for the last dozen years or so. The Flames were the same for years, limping out that odd directional stripe jersey with the black C when the best option was only used now and then. … In life there are no perfect experiments. We only get one reality. But I do wonder if the Flames didn’t waive Jakob Pelletier and he made the the team as the 13th forward that he wouldn’t have the same crack that perhaps he does now. He was lost in campa and the preseason, but the success in the AHL seems to have given him his confidence back. Better touches. He looks faster. Big goal tonight. Hopefully he keeps it up. … The Flames had 7 high danger chances in the first period, but only scored the one goal from Pelletier. They are dead last in first period goals, but not for lack of trying tonight. … Good to see a great night from Mackenzie Weegar on the night after not being named to Team Canada for the Four Nations tournament. I wouldn’t call it a snub as he was on the bubble, but nothing wrong with a statement from a player looking to be a potential injury replacement. … Fun to have former first round picks producing. Pelletier with a goal. Coronato with a goal. Zary with an assist. That’s three straight number one picks from 2019 to 2021. … Flames just ran the show in the third period, completely took over the game. … Walker Duehr with a good night. Physical and on the puck at all times …. Coronato taking draws? And winning them! Thought at first it was a Backlund toss out, but no they are using Coronato to win draws on the other side. On the night he was 5/7 for 71%.
Fancy Stats
Calgary by far the better team five on five. They had zone time, and copious shot attempts but met a good night from Jordan Binnington. The Flames, five on five, had 61% (82%/33%/61%) of the shot attempts, 50% of the high danger chances, and 56% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 61% of the shot attempts, 54% of the high danger chances and 58% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by their fourth line (something we haven’t seen in a while) with a xGF% of 96% on the night for all three of Jakob Pelletier, Kevin Rooney and Adam Lomberg. Rasmus Andersson, Kevin Bahl and Jake Bean all had nights in the 70s. Four players under 40% for the Flames; Yegor Sharangovich, Mikael Backlund, Matt Coronato and Mackenzie Weegar.
