That was tight!
The leg weary Calgary Flames dug deep, leaned heavily on their rookie goaltender, but found a way to score the game’s only goal in a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
The win is huge, as the Flames jump back into the 8th playoff spot in the West.
Going on that six game trip there was a lot of thought that the Flames would slip and be back of a playoff spot, so to win tonight and be back in is quite the statement.
19 games to go.
It’s going to be a ride.
The Lineup
No change again for the Flames, with the exception of Dustin Wolf starting again ahead of Dan Vladar.
Nazem Kadri with Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato, Joel Farabee with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman, third line of Morgan Frost between Yegor Sharangovich and Martin Pospisil, and then a fourth line with Connory Zary sliding down to play with Ryan Lomberg and Kevin Rooney.
On the blueline no change as well; Kevin Bahl with Rasmus Andersson and Joel Hanley and Mackenzie Weegar, and then the third pairing of Jake Bean with Brayden Pachal.
Dustin Wolf gets the start in goal.
Wrangler’s Beat
Things have not gone well for the Calgary Wranglers.
I think it could be suggested that they were finding points, perhaps more often than they deserved in the first half of the season, but now they’re wandering the dessert.
One win in 9 games in February.
No wins in 4 games in March.
That’s one win in 13 contests, and with it a freefall down the standings.
The team has gone from 1st overall to 5th in their conference. Have to think losing their coach Trent Cull has been a huge loss for their fortunes.
Wolf’s Start
Didn’t have a lot to do in the first 30 minutes of the game.
Had a tonne to do in the ten minutes after that though, and pretty much the rest of the way to the final buzzer.
All the way through solid and consistent. He doesn’t give up any rebounds. He doesn’t quit on any play.
Montreal generates 2.33 expected goals in all situations and Wolf gives up nadda!
Odds and Sods
I was honestly a little surprised to see the Flames had legs to start the game with the six gamer and the travel home yesterday. THey were clearly the better team in the first period with the lion’s share of shots and scoring chances. … Still wondering what’s up with Matt Coronato; continues to handle the puck like a hand grenade. Somehow lost his confidence in the last few weeks. … Huska continues to spin Coronato and Connor Zary between lines one and four. Gives them both some looks for a short period of time. … Flames had a good first half of the second and went ahead when Joel Farabee finished a give and go with Mikael Backlund to put the team up 1-0. From there though the Habs took over the period and without Dustin Wolf’s heroics there is now way it’s a 1-0 game through 40. … Calgary plays a little too much protect the lead in the third period, but then who could blame them with the travel; they were exhausted. Too much time in their own zone, but Dustin Wolf stands tall to bring home the win and shut out, his third of the season, a new franchise record for rookies. … Interesting to see Joel Farabee killing more penalties. He was 2nd or 3rd up in Philly for years, but then did very little for the Flyers this season and last. Gives them another option with Jakob Pelletier out the door. … Zayne Parekh’s Saginaw Spirit got crushed 11-3 tonight. Parekh with one assist.
Fancy Stats
The Flames were the better team in the first 30 minutes, but then looked to have completely run out of gas, and relied heavily on their goaltender the rest of the way. Wolf was unbelievable. The Flames, five on five, had 52% (64%/52%/37%) of the shot attempts, 46% of the high danger chances, and 43% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 48% of the shot attempts, 38% of the high danger chances and 40% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by Jonathan Huberdeau with an xGF% of 77% on the night. He was joined by Nazem Kadri in the 70s at 73%. Joel Hanley and Mackenzie Weegar were in the 60s. Four players under 20% on the night; Kevin Rooney, Jake Bean, Brayden Pachal and Ryan Lomberg.
