The Flames stumbled through a pretty despondent first period, suggesting the two points in Chicago … the easy money on a tough four game road trip would be anything but easy.
But then the second period started and the Flames completely took over, scoring two special team goals and generated 26 shots on goal on the way to a convincing 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks.
The Flames were fueled by three more points by Johnny Gaudreau as he continues to move up the scoring ranks.
The team is either 1-0-0 on a tough four game road trip or 2-0-0 on a five game road trip depending on how you look at it.
Tough stops coming up in Florida, Tampa and Carolina.
Will be an interesting measuring stick for the Flames.
The Lineup
Not a single change from the lineup that took the ice in Seattle on December 30th, well at least no change from the one that started the game.
Prior to taking the ice the Flames had been practicing with Milan Lucic on the second line with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman, but at puck drop that wasn’t the case, and as a result a new second line was born.
So look for Elias Lindholm to center Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau; they were dynamite in Seattle. The new second line of Dillon Dube with Lucic and Andrew Mangiapane. What now becomes the third line; Backlund with Coleman and Tyler Pitlick. And the fourth line that I thought struggled in Seattle, Sean Monahan with Trevor Lewis and Brad Richardson.
I’ve said it over and over, but they need another forward. I think a fourth line with Pitlick and Monahan might click better, but to do that they need a new #9 forward.
On the blueline no change at all; Noah Hanifin with Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington with Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov with Erik Gubranson.
Jacob Markstrom gets the start in goal.
Line Metrics
xGF%
Gaudreau – Lindholm – Tkachuk 64.1%
Lucic – Dube – Mangiapane 75.0%
Coleman – Backlund – Pitlick 50.7%
Richardson – Monahan – Lewis 29.4%
Hanifin – Andersson 58.3%
Kylington – Tanev 56.5%
Zadorov – Gudbranson 51.8%
Goals Saved + Avg
Markstrom +8.8
Quite the Second!
A record breaking second period as the Flames generate 26 shots on goal setting a new franchise mark, eclipsing a date with the Devils in the mid 80s.
In the second the Flames had 40 shot attempts and 21 measured scoring chances as they completely ran over the Blackhawks from horn to horn.
In the third we saw some score effects as the Flames closed out the win before hitting the empty net and then adding another snipe by Johnny Gaudreau to turn it into a laugher.
the Dube Line
Rough start for the Dube line (Lucic and Mangiapane) as they were burned twice by Patrick Kane’s line in the first period. First a coverage issue where Kane sets up Dibrincat for the Hawk’s first goal, and then later when they got running around and took a penalty.
It appeared they were struggling with that matchup.
They recovered in the second and were part of the momentum switch however, and looked pretty noticeable five on five the rest of the way.
It looks like a line that should be kept as the potential is there, but maybe the match up game should keep them away from the heavy lifting.
Gaudreau Goes Off Again
He’s on a pretty special run in what turning into a pretty special season.
After putting up three points in game one after the break he adds another goal and two assists to run that to six points in two games with the team coming back.
He’s now 8th in NHL scoring and tied for 1st in primary assists with 18.
Just amazing what the right coach can do for an offensively talented player. Gaudreau playing with pace is a deadly beast to take on as he has too many tools at his disposal to be stopped when he’s moving.
Markstrom Key
This could have been a very different game if Jacob Markstrom didn’t start the game about 20 minutes before his teammates. The Blackhawks had 12 first period shots and two high danger scoring chances, but the Flames escaped with a 1-1 tie and took the game away from there.
He was probably part of the reason Seattle stayed in the game on December 30th, but he was part of the reason the Flames won tonight.
I’ll Whine About the Forwards Again
The Flames simply have to do something with that fourth line.
It’s either move the top nine forwards together and reduce the final trio’s ice time, or find a way to get a better 9th forward.
Sure adding a true top six would be great, but I’d honestly be happy with a move that had Pitlick move to the fourth line and Richardson maybe take a night off.
Is the answer Jacob Pelletier? It could be, but I certainly understand not rushing him. But lets see Ruzicka on the wing on the fourth line for a game, or even on the wing with Backlund and Coleman.
I like having depth, and Richardson works hard, but they need to upgrade that position and make him the 13th forward, and I don’t think Brett Ritchie will be that guy.
Special Teams
A very clear special teams win for the Flames as they score the only powerplay goal and also add a shorty.
The Flames now have the league’s 10th best powerplay at 23.6%.
Their penalty kill is ranked 3rd in the league with 85.4%.
Standings and Record
The win moves the Flames to 17-7-6, good for a .667 win percentage which is 2nd in the West back of the Colorado Avalanche.
In the Pacific they are still five points back of the Vegas Golden Knights with five games in hand. Vegas has a .643 win percentage.
The closest team on the outside (playoff line) is three points back with Calgary having three games in hand.
Counting Stats
Shots: Flames 42 / Hawks 31
Face Offs: Flames 61% / Hawks 39%
Powerplay: Flames 1-3 / Hawks 0-3
Fancy Stats
The Flames started slow, gave up a lot on the Hawks first period powerplay but then settled in to pretty much take over the game the rest of the way. Five on five the Flames had 52% of the shot attempts with period splits of 45%/65% and 43% respectively. In terms of five on five expected goals, the Flames had 60%, and for high danger scoring chances the Flames had 69%, with a 9-4 split. Two of the Hawks’ four high danger chances came in the first period, they really didn’t get a sniff after that putting up one in each of the second and the third.
In all situations the Flames had 56% of the shot attempts, 66% of the expected goals, and 65% of the high danger splits.
Individually the Flames were led by Erik Gudbranson with 68% of the five on five shot attempts. Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau and Nikita Zadorov joined him in the 60s club. Andrew Mangiapane, Elias Lindholm, Milan Lucic, Oliver Kylington were all at or over the 50% mark. Another rough night for the fourth line in particular with Brad Richardson, Trevor Lewis and Sean Monahan all at 40% or worse.
