Beyond the Boxscore: Calgary Flames fall to Capitals as Ovechkin ties Jagr for career goals

The Flames let 2-0 and 3-2 leads slip away to the Capitals as they let their home point streak come to an end. The Capitals were able to press early and then at different times throughout the game – maintaining pressure and tiring out the Flames players stuck on the ice. Calgary has played a lot of hockey with no breaks the last 6+ weeks, so the Capitals being able to do that helped aid them in further wearing down the Flames. Calgary was able to surge to try and tie with the goaltender pulled but they just ran out of time.

It’s a Team Game – The Flames were able to get back to attacking the blue paint with chances after being stymied by their last few opponents. The Capitals could really only get shots off from the hashmarks or higher – it’s unfortunate that Vladar couldn’t have snagged just one more of those goals. Calgary had more high danger chances by a significant margin (12-5) and only a few Flames players really struggled. Washington is both a playoff team and an Eastern Conference team – if you were going to lose any game this one was the least dangerous to lose.

Corsi King – Elias Lindholm (73.89%) has tied a career high in goals with 26 games left to set a new personal record. The majority of everyone got on the better side of possession like Toffoli (62.51%), Backlund (61.22%), Andersson (57.94%) and Dubé (50.61%). Quality of chances there were more divides between lines but overall attempts there was really not much to worry about.

Corsi Clown – Sean Monahan (36.90%) has been on a longer stretch where he’s struggled more than found success. He’s played with all sorts of different players in all sorts of different roles and can’t seemingly fit in anywhere on this roster for very long. His linemates in Lucic (40.27%) and Lewis (42.32%) struggled the most and by time played were clearly utilized as a fourth line.

Taken By Chance – 5 players did not surrender any high danger chances – now I’m going to question that because Ovechkin’s goal seemed pretty high danger to me, but I don’t get to mark down the shot locations. Regardless the players that didn’t surrender any high-danger opportunities weren’t out there for that play – Lindholm (72.65 SCF% // 100 HDCF%), Gaudreau (67.47% // 100%), Tkachuk (69.54% // 100%), Coleman (63.05% // 100%), and Toffoli (53.67% // 100%). Every player was involved in some form of a dangerous chance for Calgary but Vanecek had the answer.

xGF% – Chris Tanev (64.28 xGF%) and Oliver Kylington (59.53%) had a rough night seeing 4 goals go past them while deployed at 5v5. Hanifin-Andersson and Zadorov-Gudbranson didn’t surrender a single goal amongst them. The goals that got by tonight 1) forward turnover to Ovechkin 2) Nic Dowd shot from mid-range 3) Mantha rush where he wasn’t challenged on the zone entry 4) McMichael makes the defenceman do a flyby – frees up pass to slot, then a rebound goal. Goals number 3 & 4 on my list there I would place some criticism on the defence, but goal number 2 and 3 you also want your goalie to get those still too.

Its not often the game starts and the other team grabs momentum. Calgary did look noticeably fatigued at times but the grind isn’t about to slow down. Good teams – like the Capitals – will come into a top teams barn ready to play and play hard. I felt Calgary was able to limit a lot of good quality 5v5 chances but the Caps were able to find holes behind the goaltender all night long.

Game Score – Elias Lindholm (2.09 game // 1.53 average), Rasmus Andersson (2.41 // 0.99), Tyler Toffoli (2.14 // 0.57) were the Flames podium. Johnny Gaudreau (1.82 // 1.74) once again plays above his insanely high average. Sean Monahan (-1.72 // 0.29) really had himself a rough outing.

It had been about.a week since we’ve seen the Flames swarm an opposition goaltender like they did in this one. Calgary could have had more goals and should have – in theory – not given up 4 goals from that distance. Hockey does not always end the way we want it to – Calgary was still able to push hard late which makes it easier to look ahead to the next game.

In The Crease – You can probably tell by this point I believe Vladar would want a couple of those goals back. Even the Ovechkin turnover goal was shot from above the hashmarks – but he should never have been left with a puck that close uncontested. The Mantha goal is one we don’t see too often a straight goal off the rush – yes, the defence should have stepped up and challenged the shooter but those still end up being saved by the starter. I’m not too upset if I’m being honest because there is lots of hockey to be played in a very short time here and Vladar is going to have to play. He wasn’t his strongest Vladar in this one but he’s had more quality games than rough ones.

Today’s Specials – Flames got a power play 30 seconds into the game and. Couldn’t find an early goal – little did we know that was going to be their only power play all night. The tremendous penalty kill went 3 for 3 and blocked some intense shots on the third period one. Rasmus Andersson get yourself an ice pack on that arm bud.

Player Spotlight – Blake Coleman – He’s become quite the useful addition early into his Calgary tenure. He has formed a nice shutdown connection with Backlund which will be a great asset come playoff time. They got to play with Toffoli tonight as Darryl shuffles lines to keep having new looks – harder for teams to gameplan if they don’t know exactly how your lines are going to shape up. Coleman can score goals and play defence and has been one of the better immediate free agent signings of recent years.

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