They all won’t be pretty.
However, a playoff team needs to be able to grind one out every so often. To get a lead, protect it by playing well defensively, and wind down the time to a regulation win.
That’s exactly what the Flames did in turning aside a desperate Arizona Coyotes club by a score of 3-2 at the Saddledome on Friday night.
Three assists by Matthew Tkachuk, a huge momentum changing powerplay goal by Johnny Gaudreau in the first period, and a good turn by backup goaltender Cam Talbot was the difference in a huge two points in the Pacific race for the playoffs.
On to the Vegas Knights at the Dome on Sunday.
Line Up Changes
Not a one.
Cam Talbot starts in goal for the third straight game.
The defense pairings stay the same with Mark Giordano paired up with TJ Brodie, Noah Hanifin and battery mate Rasmus Andersson, and the acquired pairing of Derek Forbort and Erik Gustafsson as the third pairing.
Up front the regular as well. Sean Monahan with Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm, Mikael backlund between Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane, Derek Ryan pivoting Milan Lucic and Dillon Dube, and finally Mark Jankowski skating beside Sam Bennett and Tobias Rieder.
Opportunity Knocked
Playing a team in a wild card spot is an opportunity to drive a stake in the heart of an emerging threat in front of you, but with Vancouver beating the Avalanche and the Jets beating the Knights the impact of the Calgary win was some what tempered.
The suddenly hot Chicago Blackhawks did lose to the Red Wings, a game I’m sure they circled as a win on their calendar, keeping them out of the mix.
The Flames win moves the club four points clear of the first non playoff team the Minnesota Wild, though the Wild have two games in hand. The Coyotes and Predators are both five points back, Arizona at even games, but Nashville having two games in hand.
In the Pacific the Flames are three points back of the Knights with even games played, and one point back of Edmonton though the Oilers have a game in hand. Vancouver is three points back but have two games in hand.
Most models have 93 points as the “in” target, meaning the Flames need to pick up 14 points in their final 13 games to secure a spot, something like 7-6-0.
Talbot’s Start
Another good start for Cam Talbot, as he picked up his third straight victory.
In those three games Talbot has a tidy 1.31 goals against average and .957 save percentage, as he has finally pushed his record above .500 on the season with a 12-10-1 record on the season.
A lot is made of the missteps in free agency for the current general manager but the Cam Talbot signing has been a good one as the steady keeper continues to provide quality backup minutes, and with David Rittich struggling of late an option for a potential playoff starter.
The Forbort Save
Lots of moments in a hockey game add up to a victory, but none were bigger than the goal line shiv provided by newcomer Derek Forbort in the second period.
With the puck bouncing behind Cam Talbot and a ready Conor Garland aiming to slide the puck into an empty cage, Derek Forbort made a stand and wedged the puck against the post and then out of the crease with strength with Garland helplessly seeing the chance get away.
Earlier in the game Forbort made his size known in a scrum started by Matthew Tkachuk by throwing a Coyote to the ice in the neutral zone.
The guy isn’t flashy but he’s been a solid add to the team on the third pairing … essentially a left shooting Michael Stone that spends less time in his own zone.
Slow Start, Quick Turnaround
Didn’t that feel like deja vu?
The Flames surrender the first goal of the game but then dig in and score back to back goals in a tight grouping just a few minutes later.
Two nights ago the Flames had a good start, gave up a weak goal and then folded for ten minutes before spending most of the night trying to catch up.
My view the Flames were actually better over 60 than some summarised as they kept on pushing through the final 40 and had the better of the play for the most part.
Tkachuk / Mangiapane Chemistry
The team’s second line had them selves a night again, as they were on the ice for the go ahead and eventual winning goals to alter a 1-1 tie and move the game into the win category.
Hard to miss the growing chemistry between Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane, who have played together since early December, their center changing from Elias Lindholm to Mikael Backlund.
They have a knack for finding each other with smart short passes creating scoring chances, and very much making the Flames a difficult team to plan/strategize for with the top line finally scoring.
Counting Stats
Team Stats:
Shots – Flames 34 Coyotes 34
Face Offs – Flames 55%
Special Teams – Flames 1/4 Coyotes 0/3
Player Stats:
Points – Matthew Tkachuk led all skaters with three points on the night, all of them assists.
Plus/Minus – Mark Giordano was the only plus player for the Flames, finishing at +1.
Shots – Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm both had four shots on goal to pace the team.
Fancy Stats
The Flames ended the night with only 49% of the shot attempts, as they sat on a two goal lead in the second period and had the Coyotes take the game to them. They had period splits of 68%/28% and 62%, as they ramped up their game in the third period to bring the win home. In terms of high danger chances the Flames had 43% with a 6-8 split on the night. The Flames had 44% of the expected goal split on the night, 73% in the third period.
In all situations the Flames had 51% of the shot attempts, 53% of the high danger chances and an expected goal split of 53%.
Individually, the Flames were led by Mark Giordano with 64% CF% on the night. Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Elias Lindholm and Dillon Dube had 60+% nights as well. Derek Ryan, TJ Brodie and Milan Lucic were in the mid 50s. On the other end of the spectrum, Mark Jankowski had a 32% night and was joined by linemates Sam Bennett 36% and Tobias Reider 38%, as well as defenseman Derek Forbort 37% with rough nights.
