It started off really good, it almost ended really bad, and yet somehow the Calgary Flames found enough within themselves to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in a shootout.

It’s a Team Game – Calgary sure was lucky they were able to hang in for that one. The Flames started the game off with wave after wave of attack pressing the Penguins back into their own zone. After the lacklustre power play attempts and the tying goal Pittsburgh took control of the game. Flames players were constantly failing to get the puck out of the defensive zone – getting hemmed in for long stretches on multiple occasions. It took a goalie-pulled Nazem Kadri goal to send things to extra time and a Justin Kirkland shootout winner (matched up against Evgenii Malkin no less) to seal the victory for Calgary. Some positives to take for sure, but a game that leaves the coaching staff with plenty to work on this week.

Corsi King – Even on a night where the opposition peppered the entire team with shot attempts they couldn’t take advantage of the dynamic duo that is Mikael Backlund (56.28 CF%) and Blake Coleman (61.90 per cent). Calgary also had Martin Pospisil (56.79 per cent) driving shot attempts, but he got sat down for a little bit after taking those offensive zone penalties. Huska let him go back out for the third, but a few missed shifts were enough to get the message through. He’s been a crucial find as a player that has a tremendous 5v5 play-driving ability in his game, they need him on the ice not in the box.

Taken By Chance – I’m glad Nazem Kadri (18.78 SCF% // 0 HDCF%) got the game-tying goal because I’m hoping it can spark him back into playing some better 5v5 hockey. His line has had a hard time maintaining possession and getting scoring chances. As the game got to crunch time Huska put Matt Coronato (19.08 per cent // 0 per cent) on the sidelines, but not his entire fourth line. Justin Kirkland (14.97 percent // 19.62 per cent) ended up with over 14 minutes of game action played. He’s not just earning his call up, folks I think he’s found a regular spot on this team in the short term. They can insert Rooney when he’s back, but Kirkland deserves a shot to stay up and contribute to that fourth line, at least in rotation.

xGF% – I did not realize how much more I could enjoy Rasmus Andersson (60.01 per cent) play the game of hockey, but this season he has started playing on a different level. The confidence in joining the rush displayed by Andersson so far this season has blown me away. On top of that – it’s been ridiculously effective. He has three goals and eight points in just six games and is constantly making the right choice with the puck on his stick. Another standout Flame was Connor Zary (50.16 per cent). As each game has progressed Zary is looking more and more confident in the plays he is making. No other Flame has displayed that level of puck control off the rush – Kuzmenko (13.34 per cent) can occasionally do it but has typically only displayed it on the power play. Zary is weaving his way through the middle of the ice, getting possessive zone entries, and then making a play to get a quick chance off from the slot.

In The Crease – I think, given the amount and quality of shots against, that Dustin Wolf did a darn good job against the Penguins. His athleticism blows me away regularly. I watch these games with an ease in my mind because I’m not worried about bad second opportunities ruining momentum. Three games in he has shown everything you want of him and more. Might want to get that glove side figured out for the next shootout – the Penguins first three shooters all had him beat in the exact same fashion, other teams will notice that for next time

Player Spotlight – Jonathan Huberdeau – Every other Flame on the ice would get a full breakaway and they would shoot. For some reason Huberdeau will not shoot the darned puck. Forcing a cross-seam pass directly into the defender – who is specifically defending the pass -feels as good of a choice as deciding to skip rocks at your local indoor swimming pool. It’s going to hit something before it gets where you want it to get and then you’re in trouble. He’s had an excellent season so far, but I felt he had an off night in terms of timing up entries, getting fortunate bounces, and proper puck handling. Nothing major or long term – I just want him to shoot for a goal/rebound when they clearly take the pass away.