No comeback tonight.
The Flames just didn’t have it on back to back nights, relying way too much on Dustion Wolf through 40 minutes and making it close before falling 3-1 (with an empty netter) in Utah on Tuesday night.
The news gets worse out of town with the Blues coming from behind to beat the Wings in overtime; their 10th straight win.
Target Minnesota?
Tough loss for the Flames.
The Lineup
Back to back games with travel, so you know there’s a change in net.
Otherwise no change to the 18 skaters, but one change affecting two lines up front.
Nazem Kadri with Martin Pospisil and Joel Farabee (moving up from Backlund’s line), Morgan Frost with Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato, Mikael Backlund with Yegor Sharangovich and Blake Coleman. And finally a fourth line of Kevin Rooney with Adam Klapka and Ryan Lomberg.
On the blueline Joel Hanley with Mackenzie Weegar, Kevin Bahl with Rasmus Andersson, and Jake Bean with Brayden Pachal.
Back to Dustin Wolf in goal with back to back games.
Stats Dive
Interesting flipping of the script in goal for the Flames since the 4 Nations Face Off.
Dustin wolf is still getting 65% of the starts, but he hasn’t had the starting goaltender numbers.
In 12 appearances Wolf has a 2.59 goals against average and a .907 save percentage five on five; still solid numbers by most goaltenders standards. In all situations though the plummets to 0.899 in save percentage and has a -2.14 goals saved above average; which isn’t routine for the rookie.
Dan Vladar has had 7 starts and has a 2.03 goals against average and a .917 save percentage five on five. In all situations he boasts a .918 save percentage; .20 points clear of Wolf. He has a +2.14 goals saved above average.
This isn’t to suggest a change in Calgary’s starting goaltending mantle, but it might suggest more pause when it comes to letting Dan Vladar walk this summer.
Wolf’s Start
Clearly the difference in this one.
Utah had 7 high danger chances in the first period.
Utah had 6 high danger chances in the second period.
The Flames had a total of 2 through 40 minutes.
The score was 2-1 Utah.
Without Dustin Wolf this one would be long over before the final 20.
A little less to do in the third period as his team woke up and pushed the play.
In the end Utah with 3.9 expected goals in all situations and Wolf gives up just two (the empty net goal wouldn’t factor into his expected goal differential).
Odds and Sods
Flames with a solid start, controlling most of the first half of the opening period, but not really gaining any bluechip scoring chances. Utah took the game away in the final third though and scored the go ahead goal on a fourth line goal late. … Tired workhorses? Both Mackenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson had a few mistakes in the first period. Weegar particularly was rough, turning the puck over twice creating odd man chances. Both Weegar and Andersson with more foibles in the second period; Andersson’s turning into Utah’s second goal. … Tough first period for the fourth line after their heroics last night. Got stuck on a 90 second shift early but survived it, but then gave up the only first period goal when Klapka turned it over. …. Could just be fans late coming back for the second but there sure seemed to be a bunch of empty seats tonight. Not a good sign for a first year franchise. … Calgary goal review; not sure I saw any white between the puck and the goalline. It was within 1/16 of an inch of showing said white, but not sure it was there. I’d call that no goal, but they’re due with the Dallas game fresh in our memories. … Calgary makes the third period more interesting with a late seeing eye goal from Rasmus Andersson. Can they do it again? … Hold your horses on Zayne Parekh joining the Flames this weekend. The Saginaw Spirit won in overtime tonight to make the series a 2-1 deficit. Parekh? Scored the first goal, assisted on the second, and then scored the winner in overtime. … How does Matt Coronato not burry that rebound in the third period to tie the game up? Big rebound. Dangerous shooter. Right into the pad. …
Fancy Stats
The Flames had a great third period as they pushed for the point and overtime, but they were very lucky to be in it through 40 minutes as they turned the puck over way too often, and relied on Dustin Wolf way too much. The Flames, five on five, had 51% (43%/44%/74%) of the shot attempts, 32% of the high danger chances, and 44% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 51% of the shot attempts, 36% of the high danger chances and 43% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by Rasmus Andersson with 77% in xGF% on the night. He was joined in the 70s by Mikael Backlund. Blake Coleman, Kevin Bahl and Yegor Sharangovich were in the 60s. No other player above 50%. At the bottom Nazem Kadri, Mackenzie Weegar and Martin Pospisil all under 25%.
