It was not the easiest night for the Calgary Flames, but after some great goaltending from Dustin Wolf they found themselves another victory, this time over the Chicago Blackhawks.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
CF% &#8211; 42.69% || SCF% &#8211; 43.36% || HDCF% &#8211; 67.38% || xGF% &#8211; 46.2%
It’s a Team Game – Calgary had a start that tracked with the rest of their season – ready to play and well structured. They dominated the high danger chance battle seven to one while controlling the flow of play. The veteran Blackhawks didn’t fall behind or mail it in though. Instead, they tied things up 10 seconds after the opening Matt Coronato goal and employed a game that was heavy in puck possession to try and limit what Calgary could do. It did not work. Calgary themselves did a great job keeping the Blackhawks to the perimeter of the attacking zone – something they could focus on as they had earned the lead from an Andrei Kuzmenko power play goal. Another team effort from top to bottom – there is zero doubt Ryan Huska has full buy in.
Corsi King – At the top of the ratio chart is Mikael Backlund (60.51 CF%) and then linemate Connor Zary (58.32 per cent). Backlund and his line earned the high ratios through some strong defence as the Blackhawks only had 8 shot attempts while they were out. Zary has displayed some great hands and a willingness to drive into the centre lane so far this season. Playing shotgun to the captain and riding on PP1 he’s making the most of his opportunity. The other two guys at the top are on defence – MacKenzie Weegar (54.60 per cent) and Daniil Miromanov (53.22 per cent). That was driven because of a high involvement of shot attempts for while they were out. Poor Rasmus Andersson – not because he did bad or anything, he was actually fantastic – because the Blackhawks took 32 shot attempts against him and I’m positive he’s tired.
Under Pressure &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132644" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SP.png" alt="" width="1015" height="1827" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SP.png 1015w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SP-167x300.png 167w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SP-569x1024.png 569w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SP-768x1382.png 768w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SP-853x1536.png 853w" sizes="(max-width: 1015px) 100vw, 1015px" />
Taken By Chance – Mikael Backlund (55.73 SCF% // 100 HDCF%) leading off at least one of these columns feels normal now as year 4 is under way. He had another clean slate at 5v5 with no high danger looks against all game. It was tied for best on the team with linemate Zary (55.73 per cent // 100 per cent). The fourth line was tremendous – they’ll get their flowers in xGF% &#8211; contributing 6 high danger chances. Andersson (42.25 per cent // 84.83 per cent) and Bahl (37.55 per cent // 82.33 per cent) were out there a lot again as they embark on their quest to become one of the NHL’s best pairings. Calgary as a whole is not playing like things are going to crash anytime soon, so no reason to believe the Bahl-Andersson pairing will not continue to thrive.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Check out the dangles from Connor Zary! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackhawks</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/pdCPHleqVB">pic.twitter.com/pdCPHleqVB</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1846361849492918401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
xG Breakdown &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132645" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-xG.png" alt="" width="906" height="1142" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-xG.png 906w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-xG-238x300.png 238w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-xG-812x1024.png 812w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-xG-768x968.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 906px) 100vw, 906px" />
xGF% &#8211; Lets start with the glue of the fourth line so far. The one constant through all four games has been Ryan Lomberg (57.13 per cent), fresh off a Stanley Cup championship and clearly hungry for more. You’ve got a call-up in Justin Kirkland (67.40%) who is 28 years old, has over 400 professional games under his belt in the AHL, and just recorded his first career NHL goal last Sunday. Find me a more motivated person to keep riding the wave right now than Kirkland, I doubt you can. My evidence? Kirkland laying out for two massive blocked shots even after the empty net goal had gone in. Then there’s the scoring prospect everyone’s been waiting to see get into some action stay in the lineup in Matt Coronato (73.29 per cent). All he did was show up and get two goals – the hustle on the empty net goal and the second effort to whack in his first did not go unnoticed. Throw in that Adam Klapka can plug in at any time with these guys without throwing the chemistry off and Ryan Huska has some depth he can really, truly trust.
Game Flow – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132646" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-GF.png 751w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-GF-300x140.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px" />
Game Score –
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> GameScore Impact Card for Calgary Flames on 2024-10-15:
 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/FESv58B4Ta">pic.twitter.com/FESv58B4Ta</a>
&mdash; HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) <a href="https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1846395571155693940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Shot Heatmap – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132647" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SH.png 803w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SH-300x158.png 300w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SH-768x404.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px" />
In The Crease – Dustin Wolf is going to work on silencing those doubts one game at a time. Against the Blackhawks he was the primary reason for the victory. The Hawks as a whole weren’t anything more than average at best, but Wolf went toe-to-toe with Connor Bedard’s shot multiple times in that contest and came out the clear winner. 1.95 expected goals against with just one high danger chance getting behind him for a 5v5 save percentage of 0.964%. He was agile and athletic all night and never once looked out of control.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Dustin Wolf makes a great glove save on Connor Bedard! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackhawks</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/Z6ANKXujwf">pic.twitter.com/Z6ANKXujwf</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1846359241365639614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Today’s Specials – I may re-name this section “What did Kuzmenko do today?” because he is the driving force of the Calgary power play. Connor Zary has been a very welcome addition being able to make some great heads up plays with the other members. The power play was also about the only place I really noticed Nazem Kadri tonight. Kuzmenko ended up with the game winning goal because of the power play – I am very excited to see it back and performing better than it has in years. Makes it more entertaining for those watching to actually feel some anticipation when a penalty is called instead of dread.
The Goals &#8211; 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥Flames Goal🔥
Matt Coronato opens the scoring! What a shift by the 4th line! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackhawks</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/xYkw9BvOzP">pic.twitter.com/xYkw9BvOzP</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1846364277944602951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥Flames Goal🔥
Andrei Kuzmenko tips home a Jonathan Huberdeau shot on the power play! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackhawks</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/klavf2o9QQ">pic.twitter.com/klavf2o9QQ</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1846377600509182082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥Flames Goal🔥
Matt Coronato beats Connor Bedard to the puck and puts it into the empty net for his second goal of the game! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackhawks</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/KtodYn1OiC">pic.twitter.com/KtodYn1OiC</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1846394675340759554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Flash’s 3 Stars – 
1) Dustin Wolf
2) Matt Coronato
3) Rasmus Andersson
(Stats compiled from Naturalstattrick.com // Game Score from Hockeystatcards.com // xG and Under Pressure charts from HockeyViz.com // Game Flow and Shot Heatmap from NaturalStatTrick.com)

It was not the easiest night for the Calgary Flames, but after some great goaltending from Dustin Wolf they found themselves another victory, this time over the Chicago Blackhawks.
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CF% - 42.69% || SCF% - 43.36% || HDCF% - 67.38% || xGF% - 46.2%

It’s a Team Game – Calgary had a start that tracked with the rest of their season – ready to play and well structured. They dominated the high danger chance battle seven to one while controlling the flow of play. The veteran Blackhawks didn’t fall behind or mail it in though. Instead, they tied things up 10 seconds after the opening Matt Coronato goal and employed a game that was heavy in puck possession to try and limit what Calgary could do. It did not work. Calgary themselves did a great job keeping the Blackhawks to the perimeter of the attacking zone – something they could focus on as they had earned the lead from an Andrei Kuzmenko power play goal. Another team effort from top to bottom – there is zero doubt Ryan Huska has full buy in.

Corsi King – At the top of the ratio chart is Mikael Backlund (60.51 CF%) and then linemate Connor Zary (58.32 per cent). Backlund and his line earned the high ratios through some strong defence as the Blackhawks only had 8 shot attempts while they were out. Zary has displayed some great hands and a willingness to drive into the centre lane so far this season. Playing shotgun to the captain and riding on PP1 he’s making the most of his opportunity. The other two guys at the top are on defence – MacKenzie Weegar (54.60 per cent) and Daniil Miromanov (53.22 per cent). That was driven because of a high involvement of shot attempts for while they were out. Poor Rasmus Andersson – not because he did bad or anything, he was actually fantastic – because the Blackhawks took 32 shot attempts against him and I’m positive he’s tired.

Under Pressure - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132644" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SP.png" alt="" width="1015" height="1827" />

Taken By Chance – Mikael Backlund (55.73 SCF% // 100 HDCF%) leading off at least one of these columns feels normal now as year 4 is under way. He had another clean slate at 5v5 with no high danger looks against all game. It was tied for best on the team with linemate Zary (55.73 per cent // 100 per cent). The fourth line was tremendous – they’ll get their flowers in xGF% - contributing 6 high danger chances. Andersson (42.25 per cent // 84.83 per cent) and Bahl (37.55 per cent // 82.33 per cent) were out there a lot again as they embark on their quest to become one of the NHL’s best pairings. Calgary as a whole is not playing like things are going to crash anytime soon, so no reason to believe the Bahl-Andersson pairing will not continue to thrive.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1846361849492918401?s=61&amp;t=_KG-OciwHxqj-cvmhWeRiA[/embed]

xG Breakdown - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132645" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-xG.png" alt="" width="906" height="1142" />

xGF% - Lets start with the glue of the fourth line so far. The one constant through all four games has been Ryan Lomberg (57.13 per cent), fresh off a Stanley Cup championship and clearly hungry for more. You’ve got a call-up in Justin Kirkland (67.40%) who is 28 years old, has over 400 professional games under his belt in the AHL, and just recorded his first career NHL goal last Sunday. Find me a more motivated person to keep riding the wave right now than Kirkland, I doubt you can. My evidence? Kirkland laying out for two massive blocked shots even after the empty net goal had gone in. Then there’s the scoring prospect everyone’s been waiting to see get into some action stay in the lineup in Matt Coronato (73.29 per cent). All he did was show up and get two goals – the hustle on the empty net goal and the second effort to whack in his first did not go unnoticed. Throw in that Adam Klapka can plug in at any time with these guys without throwing the chemistry off and Ryan Huska has some depth he can really, truly trust.

Game Flow – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132646" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" />

Game Score –

[embed]https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1846395571155693940?s=61&amp;t=_KG-OciwHxqj-cvmhWeRiA[/embed]

Shot Heatmap – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-132647" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G4-vs-CHI-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" />

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf is going to work on silencing those doubts one game at a time. Against the Blackhawks he was the primary reason for the victory. The Hawks as a whole weren’t anything more than average at best, but Wolf went toe-to-toe with Connor Bedard’s shot multiple times in that contest and came out the clear winner. 1.95 expected goals against with just one high danger chance getting behind him for a 5v5 save percentage of 0.964%. He was agile and athletic all night and never once looked out of control.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1846359241365639614?s=61&amp;t=_KG-OciwHxqj-cvmhWeRiA[/embed]

Today’s Specials – I may re-name this section “What did Kuzmenko do today?” because he is the driving force of the Calgary power play. Connor Zary has been a very welcome addition being able to make some great heads up plays with the other members. The power play was also about the only place I really noticed Nazem Kadri tonight. Kuzmenko ended up with the game winning goal because of the power play – I am very excited to see it back and performing better than it has in years. Makes it more entertaining for those watching to actually feel some anticipation when a penalty is called instead of dread.

The Goals - 

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1846364277944602951?s=61&amp;t=_KG-OciwHxqj-cvmhWeRiA[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1846377600509182082?s=61&amp;t=_KG-OciwHxqj-cvmhWeRiA[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1846394675340759554?s=61&amp;t=_KG-OciwHxqj-cvmhWeRiA[/embed]

Flash’s 3 Stars – 

1) Dustin Wolf

2) Matt Coronato

3) Rasmus Andersson

(Stats compiled from Naturalstattrick.com // Game Score from Hockeystatcards.com // xG and Under Pressure charts from HockeyViz.com // Game Flow and Shot Heatmap from NaturalStatTrick.com)

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Calgary Flames center Yegor Sharangovich (17) celebrates his goal with teammates against the New York Rangers during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome

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