What was an absolute snooze fest came alive late, but was not enough to overcome the surge that came from the Kraken. It was a free for all in front of the Flames net for most of the night, something not going to be aided by the departure of Noah Hanifin. The loss is made all that more devastating when you realize the time and opportunity to try and catch the Predators for the eighth playoff seed dwindles. It’s going to be a defining week for the Flames franchise, they got off to a fairly poor start.

CF% &#8211; 48.18%, SCF% &#8211; 41.6%, HDCF% &#8211; 38.88%, xGF% &#8211; 40.09%
It’s a Team Game – The first period the shot attempts were 29 to 13 in favour of the Kraken. They understood the message from the coach at the break because they came out much, much better in the second period to give this team life once again. 25 to 15 the Flames take the advantage in shots attempts back, but it remains close. The Kraken are the team that got the bounces they needed to pull away despite Kuzmenko’s display of offensive brilliance.
Corsi King – It would be very easy for guys to not grade out well, especially those that play a ton of minutes, but Weegar (63.42%) and Andersson (58.32%) salvaged what they could do after being reunited. The other guy that was flying around and will certainly be the talk of the town the next few days (that second hit was no bueno) – we’re talking about Martin Pospisil (56.34%). His physical game has taken another step as the season has gone on – he’s growing in real time in the NHL and we’re watching it. He’s a bit of a unicorn that nobody had on their radar, now he’s the nest bargain you can find for 2 more years at just 1 million each year. Production has to stay up for him to be an effective top 6 player, so far in the last bit he’s brought that.
Under Pressure &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-123117" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SP.png" alt="" width="1038" height="1827" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SP.png 1038w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SP-170x300.png 170w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SP-582x1024.png 582w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SP-768x1352.png 768w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SP-873x1536.png 873w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1038px) 100vw, 1038px" />
Taken By Chance – I thought after watching all of Kuzmenko’s (38.60 SCF% // 28.32 HDCF%) shots he attempted it would end up being a good thing, but the most dangerous of his chances were power play looks and the 5v5 play was lacking for another night. There is a lot of positional and systemic work to do with Kuzmenko, but the reward for breaking the communication barrier is a gifted 30+ goal scorer so it’s worth the time and the headache in a down year. The entire roster pretty well ends up with an L in these categories, most getting out-chanced in a 2-to-1 ratio for high danger looks.
xG Breakdown &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-123116" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-xG.png" alt="" width="904" height="1142" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-xG.png 904w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-xG-237x300.png 237w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-xG-811x1024.png 811w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-xG-768x970.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px" />
xGF% &#8211; I don’t know why the coach was convinced to give Dryden Hunt (4.34%) the keys to playing with Huberdeau (70.92%) after one solid effort. We have enough history to know Hunt can be offensively challenged at this level for long stretches. Rough night for Mikael Backlund (41.43%) and company who were outscored 2-0 at 5v5. A rare feat the Kraken should celebrate that – it’s not easy to do. In summary the Flames defence had some members already checked out and the result was way too much in terms of quality to expect the goaltender to bail you out.
Game Flow – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-123115" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G51-vs-SEA-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G51-vs-SEA-GF.png 751w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G51-vs-SEA-GF-300x140.png 300w" sizes="auto, (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 2024-03-04:
 <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/PGKmLbNIlB">pic.twitter.com/PGKmLbNIlB</a>
&mdash; HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) <a href="https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1764884067894329568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 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-123114" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SH.png 803w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SH-300x158.png 300w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SH-768x404.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px" />
In The Crease – Even on a night where he was hung out to dry early and often, Markstrom showed up as a professional. No emotions are getting in the way of his Vezina calibre season which would have more of a campaign behind it if the Flames could find that last playoff spot. Unlikely, but they aren’t just going to go out and try to lose. As a fan at least when I tune into the Flames game a 1-0 or 2-0 deficit does not make me want to shut the TV off because these guys can work back from almost anything to get points. Markstrom leads them in that charge every night, without him they are no longer the Calgary Flames we’ve been watching. 2.73 expected goals against with 3 goals getting behind him 5v5.
The Goals &#8211; 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Andrei Kuzmenko gets the Flames on the board! That was a crafty move to sneak the puck in behind Grubauer.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeaKraken?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeaKraken</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/85q8Qz1dwm">pic.twitter.com/85q8Qz1dwm</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1764861590564962636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 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">
Andrei Kuzmenko(v) scores 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/SeaKraken?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeaKraken</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/d9DtVeKxKH">pic.twitter.com/d9DtVeKxKH</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1764875480577331621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Flashalytic’s 3 Stars – 
1) Martin Pospisil
2) Andrei Kuzmenko
3) Jonathan Huberdeau
(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)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-122664" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/TradeDeadline-DFOLive-ArticleInsert_727x404_a.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/TradeDeadline-DFOLive-ArticleInsert_727x404_a.png 727w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/TradeDeadline-DFOLive-ArticleInsert_727x404_a-300x167.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" />
Get ready for the Daily Faceoff Live Trade Deadline Show, coming to you on March 8th LIVE from 11 AM to 3 PM EST!! Join Tyler Yaremchuk, Frank Seravalli and friends for 4 hours of non-stop action as they dive deep into the heart of the trade deadline. They will be breaking down every trade, discussing the impact on teams, predicting the playoff picture, and giving you the inside scoop on all the wheeling and dealing happening around the league. Tune in live on March 8th from 11 AM to 3 PM EST for the The Daily Faceoff Live Trade Deadline special you won’t want to miss!

What was an absolute snooze fest came alive late, but was not enough to overcome the surge that came from the Kraken. It was a free for all in front of the Flames net for most of the night, something not going to be aided by the departure of Noah Hanifin. The loss is made all that more devastating when you realize the time and opportunity to try and catch the Predators for the eighth playoff seed dwindles. It’s going to be a defining week for the Flames franchise, they got off to a fairly poor start.



CF% - 48.18%, SCF% - 41.6%, HDCF% - 38.88%, xGF% - 40.09%

It’s a Team Game – The first period the shot attempts were 29 to 13 in favour of the Kraken. They understood the message from the coach at the break because they came out much, much better in the second period to give this team life once again. 25 to 15 the Flames take the advantage in shots attempts back, but it remains close. The Kraken are the team that got the bounces they needed to pull away despite Kuzmenko’s display of offensive brilliance.

Corsi King – It would be very easy for guys to not grade out well, especially those that play a ton of minutes, but Weegar (63.42%) and Andersson (58.32%) salvaged what they could do after being reunited. The other guy that was flying around and will certainly be the talk of the town the next few days (that second hit was no bueno) – we’re talking about Martin Pospisil (56.34%). His physical game has taken another step as the season has gone on – he’s growing in real time in the NHL and we’re watching it. He’s a bit of a unicorn that nobody had on their radar, now he’s the nest bargain you can find for 2 more years at just 1 million each year. Production has to stay up for him to be an effective top 6 player, so far in the last bit he’s brought that.

Under Pressure - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-123117" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SP.png" alt="" width="1038" height="1827" />

Taken By Chance – I thought after watching all of Kuzmenko’s (38.60 SCF% // 28.32 HDCF%) shots he attempted it would end up being a good thing, but the most dangerous of his chances were power play looks and the 5v5 play was lacking for another night. There is a lot of positional and systemic work to do with Kuzmenko, but the reward for breaking the communication barrier is a gifted 30+ goal scorer so it’s worth the time and the headache in a down year. The entire roster pretty well ends up with an L in these categories, most getting out-chanced in a 2-to-1 ratio for high danger looks.

xG Breakdown - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-123116" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-xG.png" alt="" width="904" height="1142" />

xGF% - I don’t know why the coach was convinced to give Dryden Hunt (4.34%) the keys to playing with Huberdeau (70.92%) after one solid effort. We have enough history to know Hunt can be offensively challenged at this level for long stretches. Rough night for Mikael Backlund (41.43%) and company who were outscored 2-0 at 5v5. A rare feat the Kraken should celebrate that – it’s not easy to do. In summary the Flames defence had some members already checked out and the result was way too much in terms of quality to expect the goaltender to bail you out.

Game Flow – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-123115" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G51-vs-SEA-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" />

Game Score –

[embed]https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1764884067894329568?s=61&amp;t=29Dh_Li50LC-yJKHLhQxWw[/embed]

Shot Heatmap – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-123114" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G61-vs-SEA-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" />

In The Crease – Even on a night where he was hung out to dry early and often, Markstrom showed up as a professional. No emotions are getting in the way of his Vezina calibre season which would have more of a campaign behind it if the Flames could find that last playoff spot. Unlikely, but they aren’t just going to go out and try to lose. As a fan at least when I tune into the Flames game a 1-0 or 2-0 deficit does not make me want to shut the TV off because these guys can work back from almost anything to get points. Markstrom leads them in that charge every night, without him they are no longer the Calgary Flames we’ve been watching. 2.73 expected goals against with 3 goals getting behind him 5v5.

The Goals - 

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1764861590564962636?s=61&amp;t=29Dh_Li50LC-yJKHLhQxWw[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1764875480577331621?s=61&amp;t=29Dh_Li50LC-yJKHLhQxWw[/embed]

Flashalytic’s 3 Stars – 

1) Martin Pospisil

2) Andrei Kuzmenko

3) Jonathan Huberdeau

(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)

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-122664" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/TradeDeadline-DFOLive-ArticleInsert_727x404_a.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

Get ready for the Daily Faceoff Live Trade Deadline Show, coming to you on March 8th LIVE from 11 AM to 3 PM EST!! Join Tyler Yaremchuk, Frank Seravalli and friends for 4 hours of non-stop action as they dive deep into the heart of the trade deadline. They will be breaking down every trade, discussing the impact on teams, predicting the playoff picture, and giving you the inside scoop on all the wheeling and dealing happening around the league. Tune in live on March 8th from 11 AM to 3 PM EST for the The Daily Faceoff Live Trade Deadline special you won’t want to miss!

Beyond the Boxscore: A sleepy start lets the Kraken sink the Calgary Flames

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