Just not the start to the season that any of us saw coming.
Like the previous two victories over Vancouver and Philadelphia the Flames were not the better team early but escaped with some bounces and some goaltending. The Oilers scored two additional goals in the first half of the game but had them both overturned; the first for goalie interference, and the second for an offside.
That gave the Flames a chance to find their game, and like they did in their previous two games, they were the better team the rest of the way in picking up a 4-1 victory.
The Lineup
With back to back games the Flames made two lineup changes for the game in Edmonton.
Tyson Barrie plays his first game as a Flame with Jake Bean taking a seat. And Matt Coronato finally gets a start in place of Adam Klapka.
Up front it’s Nazem Kadri with Andrei Kuzmenko and rookie Sam Honzek, Mikael Backlund with Blake Coleman and Connor Zary, Martin Pospisil with Jonathan Huberdeau and Anthony Mantha, and a fourth line of Justin Kirkland between Matt Coronato and Ryan Lomberg.
Pairings have Mackenzie Weegar with Daniil Miromanov, Rasmus Andersson with Kevin Bahl, and Tyson Barrie with Brayden Pachal.
Dan Vladar gets the start.
Vladar’s Start
When the dust settles you have to like Vladar’s night.
The official book is one goal against and a .962 save percentage.
He did give up two additional goals, but waive offs keep his record much more presteen. If they had counted he didn’t have much of a chance on the Perry tip, and Ryan was all alone with a point blank chance.
In all situations the Oilers had 2.34 expected goals, so Vladar beats the mark with 1 against.
Big win in Edmonton.
Andersson Dominant
Highlight reel goal and two assists to pace the Flames.
His goal was a beauty, taking the line and winding his way through Oilers before putting it top shelf on Stuart Skinner. Changed the game with one play.
He was in the top third of the team in terms of play driving as well.
Can’t hurt his trade value if that’s still a thing.
Coronato’s Debut
Always tough to analyze a young scoring forward playing a fourth line role; he’s not out in situations or with players to help him play to his game.
Having said that though, I thought he was solid.
He won the board battle against two Oilers to get the puck back to the point, leading to the Justin Kirkland goal, and was noticeable holding on to pucks and moving it effectively throughout the night.
The Kid
No points again for Sam Honzek, but you don’t get that feeling that he’s over his skis at this level.
Lots of good touches.
He’s getting chances.
He’s using his speed and size.
I think he’s easily one of the team’s best nine forwards through three games and could stick.
Odds and Sods
The roster changes for the game were a little interesting. Someone has to sit, but sitting Bean, who grew up a Flames fan for his first opportunity at a Battle of Alberta seemed somewhat cruel. Additionally I would have liked to see Klapka against Edmonton as well with his size and snarl. … Had to chuckle at the two over turned goals. Edmonton fans don’t do well with things not going their way. At least four iterations of “ref you suck” through the second period and into the third. … I don’t know if I PVR’d the wrong channel, but it was odd to have the Edmonton telecast and not the Calgary edition. The season started with the Vancouver broadcast, and then HNIC on Saturday so I still haven’t seen (heard) the new guy. … Another good night for Anthony Mantha as well, as he scores the game winner to continue to build his value. Picked up a rebound in front of Stuart and beat him with a backhand to the top corner. … I wish Andrei Kuzmenko was mic’d up every night. Watching him explain to the refs why he shouldn’t be penalized was hilarious.
Fancy Stats
After a rough start the Flames pretty much took the game over, as they did in their previous two games. They’re a hard working team, and if you don’t match that, you end up on the wrong side of the score. The Flames, five on five, had 51% (43%/58%/52%) of the shot attempts, 64% of the high danger chances, and 57% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 53% of the shot attempts, 64% of the high danger chances and 67% of the expected goals.
Individulaly, the Flames were led by the Justin Kirkland with an xGF% of 66%. He was joined in the 60s by Tyson Barrie, Brayden Pachal, Jonathan Huberdeau, Mikael Backlund, Rasmus Andersson and Matt Coronato. Only three players under water; Mackenzie Weegar, Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil.
