Post-Game: Flames outclass Coyotes

Over the past few weeks, the Calgary Flames haven’t been great but they’ve managed to win. On Sunday night against the Arizona Coyotes, they were probably the best they’ve been in a month. The Flames got contributions from everybody en route to a 7-1 win over Arizona.

The opening period was initially pretty sleepy, as Arizona didn’t generate a shot on goal until a power play midway through the period (and the Flames only had three shots at that point). The Coyotes woke up a bit and rattled of a bunch of shots but Mike Smith stood tall.

The Flames opened the scoring late in the period, as Andrew Mangiapane won a battle for a loose puck in the neutral zone with his speed. He entered the Coyotes zone and a couple passes later Mark Giordano’s wrist shot beat Adin Hill just inside the post to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

Just 68 seconds later the Flames added another one. Johnny Gaudreau was all alone in front but passed rather than shoot, which negated the scoring chance. But the Flames maintained possession and Gaudreau fed Sean Monahan in the slot with a pass from under the goal line. Monahan buried the feed to make it a 2-0 Flames lead.

Shots were 11-5 Flames in the first period, while scoring chances were 5-5.

The Flames added to their lead in the second period with an early goal and a late goal. On a bit of a broken rush play, the Coyotes were able to partially disrupt the Flames’ momentum but couldn’t grab the puck. Matthew Tkachuk pounced on the puck, drove the net and beat Hill to make it 3-0 Flames.

Later in the period, the Flames killed off a penalty and then spent some time in the Coyotes zone. On a bit of a scramble, Monahan fed Gaudreau at the side of the net for a tap-in and a 4-0 lead.

The Coyotes got one back late in the period on a power play, as Jordan Oesterle’s slap shot from the top of the circles (and with a few bodies blocking Smith’s view) cut the lead to 4-1 Flames.

Shots were 12-7 Coyotes and chances were 7-4 Coyotes.

The Flames just kept pouring it on in the third period. On a Mikael Backlund rush into the Coyotes zone a couple defenders ended up following him, leaving Tkachuk wide open for a feed at the front of the net for a tap-in to make it a 5-1 Flames lead.

A couple minutes later the top pairing and top line went to work cycling the puck in the Coyotes zone. Finally, Giordano’s slap shot from the point eluded Hill’s glove to make it 6-1 Flames.

The third line finally got into the scoring action a few minutes later. James Neal fed Sam Bennett as he drove towards the net and Bennett’s redirect beat Hill to make it 7-1 Flames.

The Flames went into cruise control from there.

The opening frame was fairly even, but the Flames took control of it. They scored early, often, and were able to just roll their lines for the majority of this game. They didn’t have to rely on their special teams or their top line to be especially top notch, because everything seemed to be clicking for them.

Let’s go sentimental and give it to the captain. Giordano had himself a game as he commemorated 800 NHL games. But beyond him, a lot of players had good games. This might’ve been the best Mangiapane has looked at the NHL level so far.

The 2-0 goal was big, as it ensured that a bounce wouldn’t tie this game. From them, the Flames just rolled their lines and cruised and the Coyotes seemed to deflate.

This was the 800th game for Giordano and the 586th game for Backlund, tying him for ninth all-time.

The Flames are now 23-1-2 when leading or tied after two periods.

Garnet Hathaway was the only Flames skater who was even (everyone else was a plus) and one of five who failed to register a shot.

The Flames (30-13-4) are off tomorrow. They’re back in action on Wednesday night when they host the Buffalo Sabres.