Two nights ago the Flames had a sketchy effort in Utah when Mikael Backlund played his 1000th game.
It didn’t sit well with the team.
Tonight, with Backlund celebrating the milestone before the game the team showed up in spades, breaking up a 50 minute scoreless tie with three late goals to beat the Devils 3-0 and snap a four game skid.
Dan Vladar out duels his former battery mate to post the shut out.
Calgary plays the Oilers on Sunday night.
The Lineup
Another ugly loss, and with it more change.
Some things stay the same; Nazem Kadri between Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil and Yegor Sharangovich between Jonathan Huberdeau and Andrei Kuzmenko. Sam Honzek was dispatched to the Wranglers, and in his place Matt Coronato was called up to play with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman. The fourth line is Kevin Rooney in for Justin Kirkland on a fourth line with Ryan Lomberg and the still demoted Anthony Mantha
On the blueline change as well. No change to the top pairing with Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl. Brayden Pachal moves back to the third pairing with Daniil Miromanov back in the lineup. Pachal lines up with Tyson Barrie.
Rotation continues with Dan Vladar getting the start.
Pre Game Stats
Another blow out loss and with it another move towards statistical normalcy for the Flames.
They are now at 1.004 in PDO, or dead even for the most part. Their goaltending has slid to 11th, and their shooting percentage all the way down to 20th overall.
That start felt a little fishy, I think we are seeing that now.
Moving to players …
On the blueline Tyson Barrie leads all skaters with an xGF% of 59.6% (only three games). Braydan Pachal and Jake Bean are both above the 50% mark. The rest of the team is below that mark. It should be pointed out that the third pairing (all three players above) get favourable matchups.
Only five forwards above break even; Matt Coronato (less games), Mikael Backlund (stud), Andrei Kuzmenko, Yegor Sharangovich and Blake Coleman. Kevin Rooney with a miserable 11%. Justin Kirkland 2nd worst at 41%.
Vladar’s Start
Clearly outstanding.
Dan Vladar wrested away the win and the shut out against his former battery mate at the other end.
The Devils with 1.93 in expected goals in all situations with Vladar coming off five against in Vegas posts a shut out.
Markstrom had more work on the night, but Vladar has the more difficult saves, especially in the second period.
Great start for the Flames veteran.
On the Farm
Will be interesting to see Sam Honzek adapt to the AHL level after a rough go in the NHL; no points in his NHL starts, and an injury that set him back. Sure feels like the right move.
The Wranglers won again last night, moving their record to 9-1, Rory Kerrins picked up his 9th of the season.
Interesting story unfolding down there with Kerrins.
Odds and Sods
Backlund’s ceremony was handled very well by the team, first class. Loved seeing Conroy and Iginla on the ice together. Love the legacy stuff. … Calgary with a similar start to the one in Utah, but this time without the turnovers as they pretty much ran the show in the first period. … Love me some Ryan Lomberg. But not sure that Bastion should have received 2, 5 and 10 for that one when all he did was shove Lomberg and then get fed lefts from the Flame’s angry little fourth liner. … Thought Eric Francis’ disdain for Jacob Markstrom was a little over the top in the first period intermission. Is that knowledge of some behind the scenes stuff or just bitter about the number of players wanting out last season? … I thought Matt Coronato had a really good night. Seemed to really belong in the top six and the top popwerplay unit. Sure feels like he’s really close to permanently grabbing a spot. … Sure looked like Andrei Kuzmenko was benched in the third period unless there was an injury I missed. … Loved the rush of former Devils getting it done late in this one. Blake Coleman with two late goals, and the first Coleman goal assisted by Kevin Bahl. … Speaking of Bahl, he just keeps putting up solid games. May be a permanent part of the top four going forward. … Flames full marks tonight, clearly the better team. … Man loved that scene in the dressing room lobby with Mikael Backlund’s buddies celebrating with Backlund and the rest of the team.
Fancy Stats
Calgary was the better team pretty much coast to coast in this one, as the team showed up large trying to make amends for the egg they laid on Backlund’s 1000th game. The Flames, five on five, had 55% (64%/52%/48%) of the shot attempts, 42% of the high danger chances, and 53% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 55% of the shot attempts, 45% of the high danger chances and 59% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by Ryan Lomberg (limited minutes) with an xGF% of 83%. Three players in the 70s including; Anthony Mantha, Martin Pospisil and Tyson Barrie. Only seven players under water with Daniil Miromanov at the bottom at 24%.
