Post-Game Wrap-Up: Flames torch Wings

The Calgary Flames entered Sunday’s game with twice as many points as the Detroit Red Wings. This disparity carried over into the game, as the Flames looked appreciably better than their opposition en route to a 4-2 victory in Detroit.

The Flames took the lead midway through the first period. Johnny Gaudreau used his slap shot instead of his habitual wrist shot, with it ricocheting off Jonathan Ericsson’s leg and beating Jonathan Bernier to give the Flames a 1-0 edge.

The lead doubled shortly afterwards, as Sean Monahan snagged the rebound from an initial Noah Hanifin shot and beat Bernier to make it 2-0 Flames.

But Detroit got on the board before the end of the period. Dylan Larkin received a pass off the rush and blew past Michael Stone, beating David Rittich with a quick shot to make it a 2-1 hockey game.

Shots were 12-6 Flames and scoring chances 13-4 Flames in the first period.

The Red Wings pushed in the second period, but the Flames defended fairly well – though they couldn’t generate much offense themselves. But they got another goal late in the period, as a Hanifin shot deflected off Andrew Mangiapane and into the net to give Calgary a 3-1 lead.

Shots were 12-9 Flames and scoring chances 8-2 Flames in the second period.

The Wings pushed in the third period, but couldn’t break through until the very end of the period. Larkin’s shot found a way through with the extra attacker out to cut Calgary’s lead to 3-2.

But that’s as close as they would get. Mangiapane would add an empty-netter to close this one out as a 4-2 Flames win.

Shots were 14-7 Detroit and scoring chances 5-4 Detroit in the third period.

I mean, what can you say? The Red Wings sat two useful players due to trade deadline considerations. They’re dead-last in the NHL standings. The Flames are fighting for their playoff lives.

The Flames won because they were a little bit better in every aspect of the game. They were expected to do so, and they did so.

Monahan had two points and a lot of good looks, so let’s give him the nod. Mangiapane’s pair of goals is a close second.

Mangiapane’s goal was the eventual game-winner, but it was also a nice play in the final 30 seconds of a period when the Flames could’ve just packed it in. The goal gave them some breathing room that it turned out they would need.

Data via Natural Stat Trick. Percentage stats are 5v5.

Yelesin played 14:21 and was plus-1 with five hits.

The Flames have 70 points. A 95 point playoff pace through 63 games pro-rates to 73.0 points, so they’re 3 points off a likely playoff pace with 19 games to go.

The Flames (32-25-6) are off to Boston. They practice tomorrow before the trade deadline, and then play the Bruins on Tuesday evening.