A lot of talk about playing a full 60 from Calgary veterans coming into this one with a hyper focus on the third period, which has let them down in their last two losses.
Tonight they ice a great third period but can’t find the equalizer after getting absolutely dominated in the second period, failing in their quest for the 60 minute complete game.
Devin Cooley very much in the news for his inability to give confidence as a backup goaltender from his hockey club delivers a first star turn in the loss quieting down the conversation at least for now.
But for Calgary it’s four straight losses and a pretty disastrous if not expected start to the season with the touch schedule.
Calgary back at it in Vegas on Saturday night as they try to spear the skid and turn their season around.
The Lineup
Lots of change after a third straight loss.
Up front Justin Kirkland comes in for rookie Matvei Gridin, who did struggle with his linemates against Vegas. So it’s Nazem Kadri between Connor Zary and Matt Coronato, a line that stays the same in Morgan Frost between Joel Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich, the same third line with Mikael Backlund between Sam Honzek and Blake Coleman, and then Justin Kirkland at center on the fourth line with Ryan Lomberg and Adam Klapka.
On the blueline lots of change as well. Joel Hanley back with Mackenzie Weegar, Kevin Bahl with Rasmus Andersson (as per usual), and a new third pairing with Brayden Pachal on his offside with Zayne Parekh.
Devin Cooley with the most important day of his life (ok until he has a kid).
Stats Dive
So what’s working and not working through 4 games?
Defensive pairs:
First off Joel Hanley is the tonic on making a pairing work so far in this early part of the season. He is part of the two best pairings for duos that have had 10+ minutes together. In 39 minutes he’s 58% xGF% with Mackenzie Weegar, and in 12 minutes he’s 75% with Zayne Parekh. Keep rolling out that pair!
Additionally the Kevin Bahl / Rasmus Andersson pairing has been fine given the matchups as they sit at 52% through four games.
The other two pairings with 10+ minutes have Jake Bean and Brayden Pachal at 50% on the nose (nothing wrong with that), and then the worrisome pairing of Weegar with Daniil Miromanov at 22%. Yuck.
Offensive Lines:
So what else is new right?
The only two forward line combinations in the black to start the season both feature Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman. Maybe that Backlund to the fourth line can take a back seat huh?
The duo with Sam Honzek sits at 68%. The duo with Connor Zary is at 60%.
Three other lines have been together 10+ minutes but all reside under water. Lomberg/Zary/Klapka and Frost/Farabee/Sharangovich both sit at 44%.
The worst line to start the season has Kadri with Gridin and Coronato with a dismal 36%. That has to give.
Cooley’s Start
Not sure if it’s Calgary loose lips, an agent or teams they are talking to but I hate that Devin Cooley had the week he had culminating with today’s start. Doesn’t seem like the fairest/nicest way to make a first start with a team.
But guess what? He answers!
Cooley kept the Flames in it all night, but especially in the second period when his club was down a man for what felt like 10 minutes.
Utah with 4.14 in all situations expected goals but only get two past the Flames backup goaltender.
For now the backup goalie controversy can settle down. He deserves another start … at least.
Odds and Sods
Calgary with zero legs off the drop of the puck, spending most of the first five minutes in their own zone. Luckily they kept things to the outside and Cooley a chance to get a few touches without any real duress. … Rasmus Andersson with the powerplay goal to put the Flames up 1-0. He had so many chances in the last two games, but had pucks slide off his stick and other calamities. This time a great tip and then the rebound is deflected in by the Mammoth defenseman. … Matt Coronato is a shooter but he also handles the puck really well. Very calm moving the puck around on the man advantage. … That Zayne Parekh move four on four in the first period on the pass back from Zary? Zoinks. Too bad he didn’t finish. … That fish bowl vomit cam is a tough way to watch a hockey game. Puke. … Calgary survives the first five minutes and then actually put up a solid first period; 1-0 Flames after 20. …
The Flames with a sloppy start to the second period and pay for it with a turn over and a bang bang play; 1-1. … Really like Honzek again in this one. He seems to be gaining confidence in his size/weight increase and pushing more to get into puck battles. … Cooley with another four saves after the tying goal to keep Calgary in it. … Brayden Pachal with a brutal giveaway (with Zayne Parekh caught somewhat flat footed) resulting in the go ahead goal. On the play Parekh looked to be taking a penalty shot infraction but the puck goes in and not. … Flames not getting the memo on protecting Cooley in his first start. Too much time in their own zone. Too many trips to the penalty box. Cooley standing tall on his own. … Adam Klapka has improved in fighting. Lost his balance but was landing a few rights before going down. … Oof York needs to turn down the kiss ass a bit on the tv colour. Way over the top looking for good things for the Flames in a game where they’re getting walked. … Flames with some life in the last couple of minutes of the second period, but overall that has to be their worst period of the season (even worse than the third against Vegas!).
The Flames take another penalty to start the third period, their 6th time short on the night … Calgary gets their 10th shot on goal 6 minutes into the third period. You aim to get 12 high danger chances a night, not 12 shots! … Calgary has their best back to back set of shifts on the night soon after shot #10 with all kinds of pressure and pucks to the net. Just can’t get it across the line. … Calgary finally gets another powerplay of their own but are blanked with just one chance, and not very dangerous. … Gutsy third period for the Flames continues with some zone pressure. .. Marked increase in jam from Yegor Sharangovich in the last few games. Very good sign. … Flames with a goalie pulled scramble but can’t find the game tying goal. Utah banks it and it rolls in for an empty netter. Flames lose and move to 1-4-0 through five games to start the season.
Fancy Stats
A strong third period evens the scales five on five for the most part with a lost middle 20 costing them the two points. The Flames, five on five, had 53% (50%/34%/79%) of the shot attempts, 56% of the high danger chances, and 48% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 47% of the shot attempts, 50% of the high danger chances and 42% of the expected goals
The Flames with 41% on the Moneypuck deserve-to-win-o’meter.
Individually, the Flames were led by Morgan Frost with an xGF% of 85% on the night. Kevin Bahl and Rasmus Andersson with their second straight dominant game were both in the 70s. Joel Farabee in the 60s on his lonesome. Three players under 30% on the night; Joel Hanley, Mackenzie Weegar and Justin Kirkland.
