Beyond the Boxscore: Calgary Flames show LA Kings they won’t go quietly into the night

The Calgary Flames did everything within their power to disrupt the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The Kings didn’t do a tremendous job of limiting their own offensive zone chances and hardly got more themselves, but when ready Markstrom was down for the task. Playoffs are a long lost thought at this point, but at least the Calgary Flames will go out swinging.

It’s a Team Game – I’m still convinced LA actually sleepwalked through this. It was all Calgary for so long as the Kings failed to generate even a runny nose. LA relied heavily on their PP for offence but at 5v5 they were a completely outplayed by the Flames. It was not particularly close either – it’s been that way for about a week around the NHL for Calgary, defence wins championships but it did not win the Kings this game.

Corsi King – Connor Zary (85.02%) getting his groove back has to be a top priority for Calgary. They’ve already now split him from Kadri – to success for 91 – but he still thrives at his position. Best finishing talent on the Flames for anyone not named Kuzmenko (38.39%) or Sharangovich (77.65%), Zary has been snakebitten since his injury return. There’s only single digit games left, and it’s been a while since he’s now returned, he needs to recover from that in a hurry and continue to develop.

Taken By Chance – MacKenzie Weegar (55.68 SCF% // 71.26 HDCF%) has certainly been a top Flame this season. I mean he’s 2nd in the league in goals – again – and the ent slowing down. He’s set himself up tremendously to try and get 20, which as a D-man is baffling. Tremendous season from a heart and soul guy that’ll be in Cowtown for years to come.

xG% – both Zary (86.41%) and Matt Coronato (86.41%) led the way for Calgary. The second you remove Coronato from fourth line player she thrives, it’s happened multiple times this season. His heavy minus rating has s certainly eye catching but for those that have watched they know it’s really not entirely his fault. Typically Coronato is in the right position but occasionally he’s a step away from where he should be. If they don’t let him work those out at the NHL level the bad habits may persist.