Post-Game: Flames hold on against Blackhawks

The Calgary Flames haven’t been amazing as of late, but they’ve still been good enough to capture points consistently. The story was the same on Sunday night in Chicago, as the Flames played an imperfect game but beat the Blackhawks by a 3-2 score at the United Center.

The Flames were all over the Blackhawks early, with several lines generating chances and Corey Crawford holding them in the game. Finally they broke through midway through the period, as Sean Monahan drove the net and bonked in a rebound off an Elias Lindholm scoring chance to make it 1-0 Flames.

But the Blackhawks responded, as Jonathan Toews caught Noah Hanifin napping at the offensive blueline, blew past him and beat Mike Smith off the rush to make it 1-1. Shots were 18-6 Flames and scoring chances 9-6 Flames in the first period.

The second period was a bit back and forth, but the Flames took control after an elbow from Chris Kunitz to Travis Hamonic led to Kunitz’s ejection from the game and a five minute power play. Early in the major advantage Lindholm beat Crawford as the netminder tried to glove the puck. Play continued, but the 30 seconds later Toronto called down that it was a good goal that made it 2-1 Flames.

Later on the same advantage, with Sam Bennett screening Crawford, Derek Ryan’s wrister eluded Crawford to make it 3-1 Flames.

But the Blackhawks got one back before the end of the period with James Neal in the penalty box. Ryan Strome was sprung on partial break, beating Smith glove-side with a backhand to make it 3-2 Flames. It was a pretty even period: shots were 11-10 Calgary and chances 7-6 Chicago.

Neither team scored in the third period, but the Blackhawks pushed hard and had several good scoring chances. Smith robbed Alex Debrincat with the back of his pad to keep the Flames up by one.

Shots were 12-8 Flames and chances 7-5 Blackhawks.

Chicago’s not a great team and the Flames were defensively sloppy throughout. But the Flames’ key players were better than Chicago’s key players – their top power play unit and Smith were big difference-makers – and that was enough to capture two points.

Smith. He was a bit shaky early, but much like he did against Los Angeles he made big saves at big moments to keep the Flames up.

Kunitz’s ejection gave the Flames a ton of time and space to operate and they made Chicago pay (twice). The Blackhawks were chasing for the remainder of the evening.

This game finished with just three officials after Matthew Tkachuk inadvertently dropped Greg Devorski off a first period face-off.

American national treasure Nick Offerman played “Shoot the Puck” – an in-arena game where celebrities try to hit the net from center ice – over the second intermission.

The Flames (16-9-2) are off to scenic Columbus. They practice tomorrow and face the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.