The Flames scoring five goals?
You just knew when the team was limping through that everything going wrong period of their early season that things would even out, and even out they did tonight as the Flames scored five but probably deserved more like three on the night all told.
But they all count, and count they did with a 5-1 Calgary win over the New York Rangers.
Blake Coleman with two goals, and Dustin Wolf with a star performance in net.
The Flames eight game losing streak is finally over.
Next up a four game road trip through the East that starts Tuesday night in Toronto.
The Lineup
Losing teams change lineups and send messages. We saw it last game in Winnipeg with Morgan Frost on the fourth line and receiving only 5 minutes of five on five ice time. We see it again tonight with a healthy scratch for Matt Coronato and the lines in a blender again somewhat.
The top line with some change; Morgan Frost moves to the wing to play with Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri. The other three lines are somewhat familiar; Connor Zary between Joel Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich, Mikael Backlund with Sam Honzek and Blake Coleman, and finally Justin Kirkland back in between Ryan Lomberg and Adam Klapka.
On the blueline it’s Kevin Bahl with Rasmus Andersson, and then the two newer pairings; Jake Bean with Mackenzie Weegar and Joel Hanley with Zayne Parekh.
Dustin Wolf back in the nets after his best start since the Edmonton curtain lifter.
Stats Dive
Matt Coronato sits today.
That isn’t a shock with a team not winning games, but it is somewhat interesting as he’s likely the team’s best goal scorer. But he’s not scoring goals, he played poorly in Winnipeg, and he took two minor penalties.
He could be the scapegoat for discipline as the Flames took 8 minor penalties on Friday in Manitoba.
How do they sit league wide?
The Flames sit second overall in penalties taken per 60 minutes with 5.51. They trail only the Chicago Blackhawks. The least penalized team is Minnesota with 2.63, followed by Edmonton at 2.74.
However the Flames are 1st overall in penalties drawn at 5.27 with their differential a middling -0.22 per game to the wrong side. Chicago and LA have the worst differentials league wide.
Wolf’s Start
Not sure you can say a goalie stole one in a 5-1 game, but without some key saves from Dustin Wolf in the second and third period the Flames don’t get to the gravy part of the game late where they scored some late goals.
The Rangers finished with 2.71 in all situations expected goals but Dustin Wolf only allows one.
One of his best starts of the season.
Odds and Sods
Adam Fox boo’d right off the hop (opening shift). That never gets old for me, and honestly I don’t think he likes it. … Flames open the scoring when Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri combine for a high slot chance for Kadri; Flames lead 1-0. … Flames continue to push, pretty much running the show in the first period. … The Flames make it 2-0 when Kevin Bahl (year you read that right) goes top corner on a Morgan Frost pass midway through the second. Momentum halted quickly with Ranger rookie Laba scoring his first NHL goal on a neutral zone turnover ten seconds later. … Wow; the Flames with three goals in Winnipeg and two in the first ten minutes tonight. Out of character! …
Kadri decided to double shift himself early in the second period. He did 35 seconds with his regular linemates and then another 40 with Connor Zary’s linemates. Wonder how that plays on the bench? … Joel Farabee has been two things consistently all season; 1) a play driver, he’s always at the top of the list in every underlying stat 2) not a finisher. So many chances and nothing going in. … What a save on Zibenejad in the second period. The Ranger tried the “Forsberg” but Wolf stretched out in a full split to stone him. … Calgary doubles their lead when the Zary line executes a classic breakout to Zary who takes it wide and throws a backhand pass back to Sharangovich. The shot is stopped by Shesterkin, but the puck bounces off the back of his glove after the save and into the net. Huge goal for Sharangovich. … Me things Zayne Parekh is going to be a lot of fun to watch by Xmas time, and by that I mean more consistent and involved in the offence. Will be interesting to see if he’s loaned to Team Canada if the Flames are out of it. … Rangers better in the second but the Flames hold their two goal lead through 40. …
Teams exchanging chances early in the third period. New York has certainly had the better of the play since the first period, but Dustin Wolf has been solid. … Great backcheck by Sam Honzek early in the third. Tracked his man back, didn’t let him cut to the net and then finished him behind the Flames net. This kid isn’t going back to the AHL in my mind. Too good in all 200 feet of ice. … Flames down a man pretty much put it away when the officials ignore a hook on Lafreniere sending the puck the other way. Coleman to Backlund back to Coleman and it’s 4-1. .. The Flames almost score their second shortie on the same powerplay when Farabee and Honzek go in alone on a 2-0. Farabee to Honzek who one times it off the goals post. … The Flames get another one when Coleman directs a puck at the net and has it squeak in off a Ranger defenseman. One of those nights. … A late “Fox You Suck!” chant at the Dome. Well done Calgarians. … Flames win 5-1, scoring eight goals in their last two games having scored eight in their previous seven.
Fancy Stats
Score effects is a thing, but when you look at what the Rangers generated after a dominant first period from the Flames, you have to tip your hat to Dustin Wolf. The Rangers with an 11-3 edge in five on five high danger chances in the last 40 minutes of play. The Flames, five on five, had 48% (64%/45%/32%) of the shot attempts, 40% of the high danger chances, and 42% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 51% of the shot attempts, 43% of the high danger chances and 50% of the expected goals.
The Flames with 46% on the Moneypuck deserve-to-win-o’meter.
Individually, the Flames were led by Zayne Parekh with an xGF% of 58% on the night. The only other players that were above the 50% mark were Connor Zary and Mackenzie Weegar. Six players under 40% on the night; in order Kevin Bahl, Joel Farabee, Sam Honzek, Mikael Backlund, Nazem Kadri and Morgan Frost.
