The Flames have been pretty inconsistent from the start of the season, at least for a team that hadn’t lost in regulation.
Slow starts, bad periods, but they always found a way to win the game or at least pick up a point.
That finally caught up with them on Thursday night.
The Hurricane’s were full marks for a solid 4-2 road victory with the Flames down 3-0 and chasing the game from early in the second period.
This time they never recovered.
The Lineup
Some news this morning that both Sam Honzek and Yegor Sharangovich skated which hints at some imminent roster changes incoming. Will be interesting.
Tonight lots of change with Kevin Rooney back in the lineup and some change to a few of the lines. Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko with Martin Pospisil on the wing, Justin Kirkland with a dream start between Jonathan Huberdeau and Anthony Mantha and Mikael Backlund with Blake Coleman and Connor Zary. The fourth line Kevin Rooney centers Ryan Lomberg and Matt Coronato.
On the blueline no change so look for Mackenzie Weegar pairing with Daniil Miromanov, Rasmus Andersson with Kevin Bahl, and Jake Bean stays paired up with Brendan Pachal.
Dan Vladar gets the start in his first start on home ice (rotation remains in place).
Pre Game Stats
The Flames are 5-0-1 with a middle of the pack expected goal split and an elevated PDO.
Sometimes you can buck the trend toward the trend, but more of than not it bites you in the ass.
Is Calgary’s goaltending legit? Can they stay 2nd overall in save percentage through 82 games? I’m guessing not, but what if they can?
Offensively, they’re 6th overall in all situations in shooting percentage with a roster missing a first line. Guessing that doesn’t last either.
Hate to be a downer, but this has a 5 game losing streak written all over it.
Vladar’s First Home Start
Honestly he kept them in it.
The Hurricanes scored two quick second period goals to go up 3-0 but could have been up five if not for Dan Vladar.
On the night the Canes had an expected goal total in all situation of 4.35 and Vladar kept them to three in a solid effort by the veteran stopper.
Calgary tipped the scales somewhat for the last half of the game giving him a breather, but in the first half he was the only reason it wasn’t a laugher.
On the Farm
Wranglers have now won 5 in a row, sit in 2nd overall in the standings, and much like the Flames have goaltending to thank for it.
Devin Cooley has been brilliant to start the season.
His .947 save percentage is likely 2nd to San Jose’s Askarov when you take games played into account. Great free agent signing, the guy has a future.
Up front all of Jakob Pelletier, Rory Kerins and Walker Duehr have been held off the scoresheet in the last 2 games after all three put up 8 points in 4 games to start the season.
Odds and Sods
The start of this one was a mini version of the start against Pittsburgh, and sadly with the same finish to the period. Calgary full marks for three good shifts off the hop, building a 3-0 lead in shots but then completely outplayed the rest of the 20 (until the last minute). Carolina had a 14-1 run in shots in the middle 15 minutes of the period. … Great to see Jake Bean score his first as a Calgary Flame. Huge moment for a Calgarian. … Starting to really love me some Kevin Bahl; solid defensive defenseman. … I think we need to pump the breaks on the Justin Kirkland love in. It’s a great story and he’s had some great moments but he’s not a key part of this team going forward, and shouldn’t be centering the second line. If they wanted a change that should have been Zary’s spot, with Kirkland on the left of the Backlund line. … A hint at improved pro scouting or just luck, but the Flames seem to have something in Brayden Pachal. He was very good for a waiver wire pickup last year, but now he’s firmly in the top 6 and at the moment the team’s 5th best defenseman. That’s a huge find for a free asset.
Fancy Stats
The Hurricanes pretty much ran the show. Calgary was chasing the game early and never quit chasing. The effort to get back into it was there, don’t get me wrong, but they never had the numbers to suggest they were dominating. The Flames, five on five, had 41% (46%/36%/44%) of the shot attempts, 33% of the high danger chances, and 40% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 42% of the shot attempts, 46% of the high danger chances and 44% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by Martin Pospisil with an xGF% of 57%. He was joined by his linemates Andrei Kuzmenko and Nazem Kadri and defenseman Brayden Pachal as the only players above the 50% mark. The fourth line got filled in again tonight with both Kevin Rooney and Ryan Lomberg sitting at 11%.
