It’s a Team Game – Calgary got on top of things right away. Connor Zary was flying, and the Flames were charging the crease from the get-go, leading to some quick goals and a 2-0 cushion to play with. Vegas countered with a goal of their own, but rather than crumble the Flames kept to their game plan and got a bounce off Klapka’s backside to get back to a two-goal lead. For 40 minutes the Flames had the advantage everywhere on the ice – high danger chances, quality, and possession time. When the third period started so did Vegas aggressiveness on the attack. Devin Cooley had to remain vigilant to the final buzzer and boy, did he ever deliver. Vegas pressed – nine high danger chances in the third – but could only get one more goal leaving things open for Huberdeau to ice things into an empty net. A quality performance from the Flames top to bottom and a result that had the Saddledome rocking.

Corsi King – The plan with Joel Hanley (73.10 CF%) and Hunter Brzustewicz (68.02%) is working amazingly. Offensive or neutral zone starts only, keep the young defender ono the attack as much as you can, let Hanley be there for any defensive inefficiencies. It has just been a recipe for success right off the hop and against Vegas everything was working again. No goals given up, an advantage in shot attempts by a significant margin, and a longer leash for the call-up. The Flames should not feel bad about purging the Wranglers of talent – it’s what the AHL is for, developing players – but I do think that after seeing Brzustewicz and Yan Kuznetsov’s (37.63 per cent) ability to keep up is making it easier for the management team to be able to move on from some other veteran players in the near future. At least at this point the Flames know they have multiple young defenceman that can swim, not sink, during NHL minutes.

Under Pressure –

Taken By Chance – It’s been an adventurous season for MacKenzie Weegar (33.72 SCF% // 50.85 HDCF%), but he finally found himself with a big point night. Three assists, including one shorthanded, for the Flames defender. If Andersson (41.36 per cent // 41.55 per cent) does get moved, he’ll instantly absorb quite a bit more responsibility. He was 7 and 7 for high danger chances – giving up a lot in the third period. Up front the most dangerous man on the ice, in my opinion, was Connor Zary (37.78 per cent // 40.01 per cent). Early in the game he was making moves to try and not just get around defenders, but through them. It led to the chaos that had Backlund (33.12 per cent // 33.15 per cent) whacking home the first goal of the night. Then, rather than fumble with things himself, he had his head up and sprung Ryan Lomberg (68.05 per cent // 50.22 per cent) on a breakaway for a goal. It was the kind of offensive performance you want to expect regularly from a player with Zary’s skill. Playing next to Backlund has awoken some of that back up. Zary’s three assists is a career best – here’s hoping he can hit that mark again soon.

xG Breakdown –

xGF% – I’ve already mentioned the players from the lines that were really going offensively, but it is worth noting that the Morgan Frost (36.58 per cent) line held their own. No offence generated, outside of the empty net goal, but they went shot for shot with their high danger chances. I love Matt Coronato’s (34.85 per cent) game, I only wish the Flames could get him some more looks every night. Lastly the Kadri (49.62 per cent) line had a positive high danger chance ratio (2:1) and actually achieved a 1-0 advantage in 5v5 scoring. Top to bottom some successes on every line in a big win against the current kings of the division – you love to see it.

Game Flow –

Game Score –

Shot Heatmap –

In The Crease – He wasn’t too busy until the third period, but after the last frame started Devin Cooley had to be spectacular. Vegas pressed, down two probable Olympians, with ease in the third. For a bit there I really thought they were going to be able to crawl back with how relentless their attack was. Cooley made himself a difference maker in that frame and drug the team into a victory. The team gave him some run support and he returned the favour with enough In the tank to bank two points. Playoffs do seem within a sniff, but the games in hand need to play out before the standings show the true picture. Cooley posting positive goals saved above expected numbers sure helps that chance rise.

The Goals –