Post-Game: Flames Edge Coyotes

After four days off, the Calgary Flames began a crucial four-game road trip through the heart of the Pacific Division tonight with a 4-1 win in Glendale against the Arizona Coyotes (of Arizona).

The game was rather even for the first forty minutes or so, but the Flames played a patient game and took advantage of Arizona’s mistakes and ultimately came away with a decisive victory. The Flames captured their 23rd victory of the season, off a three two-point effort from their #23, Sean Monahan. (Joni Ortio made 27 saves for his second win in as many starts this season.)

Here’s how it went down in the desert tonight.

The opening period was fairly uneventful, except for some sick saves by Joni Ortio, who really kept Calgary in it early on. Nobody scored – mostly thanks to Ortio – and shots were 11-9 for Arizona.

The Flames opened the scoring in the second, with Mikael Backlund continuing his torrid play with his fourth goal in as many games (and fifth of the season) off a nice feed from Johnny Gaudreau. The lead wouldn’t last too long, though, as Mikkel Boedker took advantage of some sloppy Flames defensive zone play and buried a chance past Ortio to make it 1-1. Shots were 10-3 in the second and, particularly after the goal, the Coyotes really carried play.

The Coyotes couldn’t carry their energy over to the final frame, though. A scramble in front of Mike Smith saw David Jones whack the puck in for his 7th of the year to give Calgary the lead. The play went back and forth – mostly in the neutral zone or Coyotes end, as Calgary did a good job limiting chances. With five minutes left, Mark Giordano scored the insurance goal to make it 3-1, and Monahan flipped the puck into the empty net from center ice to ice the win. Shots were 13-7 in the third period for Calgary and 28-25 for Arizona overall.

Calgary’s hallmark this year, in games they’ve mentally show up for, has been a solid third period. Tonight, they played a structured, poised third period and largely avoided the mistakes that characterized their first forty minutes of hockey.

Ortio was good when he had to be (and occasionally great), and the team generated enough chances to beat Arizona.

Monahan DID have three two points, but let’s go with Lance Bouma. Bouma was +3 with two assists, but he also had a ton of energy all night and led the team with six hits.

At least all the games ended in regulation, right?

The Kings drop to the second wild-card spot, Vancouver vaults up (pending the San Jose/Toronto result) into second or third place in the Pacific. The Flames trail Los Angeles by a single point for the final playoff spot.

The Flames are now 23-18-3 and sit just a single point behind the Kings. They’re off to Silicon Valley next to face the San Jose Sharks on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night. Puck drops at 8pm MT on CBC.

And, once again, playoff positioning is up for grabs. Monday’s game against the Kings is shaping up to be a doozy.