The Cardiac Kids were a story in themselves during the 2014-15 season, as Bob Hartley’s heroes became almost legendary for coming back ten times in the third period to win hockey games and push themselves into a playoff spot.
That kind of magic is rarely repeated but the Flames are on to something again with their 5th come from behind third period in ten attempts and only 15 games to start the season.
The big difference? This year’s version often shouldn’t have been down in the first place, so the late game push isn’t making up for tepid starts as much as a leak in goaltending. Or if they do get down it’s early and their sustained pressure is generally taking up more than the ticks of the clock in the final period.
Tonight it was the erasing of a 3-1 Hawk’s lead, a climb back that started late in the second before coming to completion past the midway point in the third as the Flames score four unanswered goals to beat the Hawks 5-3 on Saturday night.
Line Up Changes
Once again the only change is in the nets with David Rittch going back in and Mike Smith having the night off. Rittich getting a home start is something we haven’t seen a lot of, and you have to wonder if Smith’s iffy start against Colorado suggests they are now going to test a tandem in Calgary instead of a true A-B relationship. With the “A” on an expiring contract there is certainly no long term need to have the roles stay as designed.
David Rittich didn’t have the best of nights. Not sure I’m upset with any one particular goal but for the longest time the Hawks had 11 shots up on the board and the Flames were trailing either 3-1 or 3-2 adding another chapter of misery to the Flames and goaltenders on home ice.
Stone Scratched Again
On the blueline Michael Stone sits again, which game by game is becoming more of a surprise to me. This makes five straight games on the sidelines, which is starting to become a bit of an issue from an asset management standpoint. With two years left on his deal I can’t think they’d want a $3.5M asset sitting this much and waiting for injuries, but the team clearly likes Rasmus Andersson despite his numbers defensively. Might be time to look at moving Stone for a mid round pick and acquiring a veteran defenseman at a lower salary cost to be the designated sitter.
Czarnik Continues to Watch
Up front Austin Czarnik sits again, something that’s becoming somewhat of a story the longer it drags on. He certainly hasn’t lit the world on fire since the regular season started, but I honestly thought we were heading for more of a rotation, and not one clear man out.
As the games roll by though, it’s interesting to see the roles being established by all three rookies on the roster, that should pay huge dividends as the season moves into the mid and latter stages as their potential suggests a better roster by March with patience.
Defensive Zone Danger Watch
The Flames had gone four straight games giving up single digit high danger chances against five on five, a huge departure for a team that was average 14 per game or 16 per 60 minutes of five on five action prior. The former may be exciting, but won’t win you many games in today’s NHL, the latter, a move towards elite and with the Calgary offence a team that could contend.
Tonight in a game that Calgary pretty much dominated for entirety of the second and third periods, the Flames gave up only six five on five high danger chances in the game, their new season low, and yet another step in the right direction. With average goaltending you need to give up less, and that’s about as important a factor in this four game win streak that you’ll find.
Shortening the Bench With Dube Out
Bill Peters isn’t one to hesitate in going with his horses with his team down and production needed, certainly a bit of a change from Gulutzan where he generally rotated through everyone. With the injury to Dillon Dube, a dirty play that saw Hawk legend Duncan Keith kicked out just two minutes into the game, there was even more reason to drop a line out of his forward group after the first.
As a result of the injury Dube had only 13 seconds of ice time on the night, but he was joined by two others in Garnet Hathaway and Mark Jankowswki who had three and five minutes respectively. Jankowski was demoted to the pine from the third line with Derek Ryan moved up to play with Sam Bennett and Micheal Frolik, while Peters put James Neal up with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Frolik.
Both lines scored in the comeback, the new third line netting the game winner as Frolik’s improbable start continues with a bank shot off of Crawford.
Powerplay Coming Along
The Flames at least held an opponent even, scoring on their five minute powerplay in the first, before giving up a Hawk’s powerplay goal later in the period down five on three. On the night the Flames were 1/3 while the Hawks were 1/4. Says a lot about Hawk discipline that they can get run out of town like that but not take desperation penalties to the point that they ended up shorthanded more than the dominating team. The double hook on James Neal in the first that was overlooked was a blatant missed call, made worse by the fact that the Hawks scored soon after to make it 2-1.
The Flames on their three chances, one made lengthy by the five minute major, and then extended two more minutes because Chicago forgot to put a player in the box at least showed a lot of movement and cross ice looks even if they didn’t get it done to carry the game.
Fancy Stats
The Flames had a rough start to the game, but down 2-1 heading into the second they seized control of the Bob Cole called game and really never looked back. The Flames had 62% of the five on five shot attempts on splits of 31% / 64% and 75%. In terms of scoring chances the Flames had 68% (27-13) and in terms of high danger chances five on five the Flames had a 11-6 edge, good for 65%.
In all situations the Flames had 65% of the shot attempts, 73% of the scoring chances and 69% of the high danger chances (18-8).
Individually, as you’d guess, the Flames had many a player with a pretty solid underlying number night. Elias Lindholm with his three assist night was noticeable all over the ice which was seen as he led the way with 77% of the shot attempts when he was on the ice. TJ Brodie was just back with 76%, the 3M line all between 69% and 73%. The top line and Mark Giordano were joined in the 60%s with Rasmus Andersson and a suddenly surging Noah Hanifin. Only five players finished under water with Jusso Valimaki, Sam Bennett, Travis Hamonic and Garnet Hathaway all in the mid 40s, Mark Jankowski was at 14% in a rough start.
Standings Look
A lot of Pacific Teams won last night, making the Flames come from behind even more important. The Oilers, Sharks, Kings and Knights all won keeping pace.
The win gives the Flames a 9-5-1 record and first place technically with 19 points, ahead of the Canucks and Oilers. By win percentage the Flames at .633 trail Edmonton in the Pacific (.654), and sit 4th in the West, and 7th across the NHL as a whole.
With 19 points in 15 games the Flames are currently on a 104 point pace.
