The puck had a mind of its own as the Calgary Flames fell to the undefeated Winnipeg Jets Saturday night by a score of 5-3.
<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; 48.29% || SCF% &#8211; 49.59% || HDCF% &#8211; 50.59% || xGF% &#8211; 46.85% ||
It’s a Team Game – The Calgary Flames got a lot of fortunate bounces in this game. Then again, so did the Jets. It all started when Mikael Backlund clapped a shot from the goal line off Winnipeg goaltender Eric Comrie in the first minute. Nikolaj Ehlers then bounced one in off Rasmus Andersson’s skate 1:28 later to tie it up. The Jets would take momentum – the Flames first two powerplays basically gifted that to them. Calgary would start to surge back with strong 5v5 play throughout the 2nd and 3rd period. Dustin Wolf then went superman while facing a 90 second 5-on-3. Too many penalties would be their undoing though as Cole Perfetti would get the go-ahead goal through traffic on a late powerplay. The Flames never quit – and Connor Zary dazzled – but the result was not what they were searching for.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Brayden Pachal continues to be the Flames most physical defenseman this season! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/RJzEerNy0p">pic.twitter.com/RJzEerNy0p</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1850324659969159422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Corsi King – Both teams traded shots with each other all game long – in these games if someone finishes with a lower percentage it’s not an immediate sign of subpar play rather just an effect of the games low. Issues only arise when there’s consistency in getting outmatched. MacKenzie Weegar (51.28 CF%) and Daniil Miromanov (49.07 per cent) had a great shift in the third where they kept firing pucks and kept possession alive for over a minute. They also got hemmed in at times too. The only line that clearly won their minutes was the Flames 4th line – and they barely played a factor. I will say Ryan Lomberg (63.55 per cent) always gets noticed multiple times a game – never take him out of the lineup.
Under Pressure &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133073" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SP.png" alt="" width="1040" height="1827" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SP.png 1040w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SP-171x300.png 171w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SP-583x1024.png 583w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SP-768x1349.png 768w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SP-874x1536.png 874w" sizes="(max-width: 1040px) 100vw, 1040px" />
Taken By Chance – Mikael Backlund (60.11 SCF% || 77.34 HDCF%) always leads somewhere – although the high danger chances tonight were largely driven by Connor Zary (60.11 per cent || 77.34 per cent). The Flames number 47 is snakebitten as I’ve ever seen anyone in the show, and he still has seven points in eight games. The points are going to start to come fast and furious if he keeps this up. Also shout out to Rasmus Andersson (46.18 per cent || 56.37 per cent) for continuing to be a baller. The Ras stare is fully cemented as one of the best unique celebrations – and he does it with respect as evidenced him checking with the lady he stared at, making sure she was good, before he skated away.
xG Breakdown &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133074" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-xG.png" alt="" width="914" height="1142" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-xG.png 914w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-xG-240x300.png 240w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-xG-820x1024.png 820w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-xG-768x960.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 914px) 100vw, 914px" />
xGF% &#8211; Martin Pospisil (68.40 per cent) belongs at center in my opinion. His amazing abilities on the forecheck make him a highly effective winger, but with the current makeup of Flames pivots he’s much more valuable in the middle. Huberdeau (72.60 per cent) is the primary beneficiary of his play style &#8211; and they are meshing pretty well. Had been asking for Anthony Mantha (75.60 per cent) to show up again after a few nights off and he did so in a big way. Was very good at getting open and getting off some hard shots that found their way towards the net.
Game Flow – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133075" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-GF.png 751w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-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 2024-10-26:
 <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/Oq92r4j4t6">pic.twitter.com/Oq92r4j4t6</a>
&mdash; HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) <a href="https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1850355932330398186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 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-133076" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SH.png 803w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SH-300x158.png 300w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SH-768x404.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px" />
In The Crease – Dustin Wolf’s excellent overall statistics are going to be damaged because of a bad bounce off the glass, but I really doubt he cares. In the third period the Jets found themselves with a 90-second 5-on-3 powerplay where Wolf was excellent. His athleticism and swiftness from post-to-post, all while in control of where he stops, is some of the best I’ve seen at the position. It earned him a standing ovation from the crowd. It was something that could have given the Flames their final push towards momentum, but the stripes got in the way and called something questionable on Kadri, which then lead to the eventual game winner. 1.45 expected goals against faced at 5v5 with just the one bouncing off Andersson’s skating getting behind him.
The Goals &#8211; 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥Flames Goal🔥
Mikael Backlund opens the scoring early in the 1st period! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/ZM4vTgqpaf">pic.twitter.com/ZM4vTgqpaf</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1850316646139011082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 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🔥
Rasmus Andersson scores his 4th goal of the season! We&#39;re all tied up! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/reDzHOZLc5">pic.twitter.com/reDzHOZLc5</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1850339000361562393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 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🔥
Nazem Kadri ties the game with a great shot! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/pV7nnn8YcE">pic.twitter.com/pV7nnn8YcE</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1850347436394561907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Flash’s 3 Stars – 
1) Connor Zary
2) Rasmus Andersson
3) Anthony Mantha
 (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)

The puck had a mind of its own as the Calgary Flames fell to the undefeated Winnipeg Jets Saturday night by a score of 5-3.
<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% - 48.29% || SCF% - 49.59% || HDCF% - 50.59% || xGF% - 46.85% ||

It’s a Team Game – The Calgary Flames got a lot of fortunate bounces in this game. Then again, so did the Jets. It all started when Mikael Backlund clapped a shot from the goal line off Winnipeg goaltender Eric Comrie in the first minute. Nikolaj Ehlers then bounced one in off Rasmus Andersson’s skate 1:28 later to tie it up. The Jets would take momentum – the Flames first two powerplays basically gifted that to them. Calgary would start to surge back with strong 5v5 play throughout the 2nd and 3rd period. Dustin Wolf then went superman while facing a 90 second 5-on-3. Too many penalties would be their undoing though as Cole Perfetti would get the go-ahead goal through traffic on a late powerplay. The Flames never quit – and Connor Zary dazzled – but the result was not what they were searching for.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1850324659969159422?s=61&amp;t=uTC00kro9d6PtROYcNn0AA[/embed]

Corsi King – Both teams traded shots with each other all game long – in these games if someone finishes with a lower percentage it’s not an immediate sign of subpar play rather just an effect of the games low. Issues only arise when there’s consistency in getting outmatched. MacKenzie Weegar (51.28 CF%) and Daniil Miromanov (49.07 per cent) had a great shift in the third where they kept firing pucks and kept possession alive for over a minute. They also got hemmed in at times too. The only line that clearly won their minutes was the Flames 4th line – and they barely played a factor. I will say Ryan Lomberg (63.55 per cent) always gets noticed multiple times a game – never take him out of the lineup.

Under Pressure - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133073" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SP.png" alt="" width="1040" height="1827" />

Taken By Chance – Mikael Backlund (60.11 SCF% || 77.34 HDCF%) always leads somewhere – although the high danger chances tonight were largely driven by Connor Zary (60.11 per cent || 77.34 per cent). The Flames number 47 is snakebitten as I’ve ever seen anyone in the show, and he still has seven points in eight games. The points are going to start to come fast and furious if he keeps this up. Also shout out to Rasmus Andersson (46.18 per cent || 56.37 per cent) for continuing to be a baller. The Ras stare is fully cemented as one of the best unique celebrations – and he does it with respect as evidenced him checking with the lady he stared at, making sure she was good, before he skated away.

xG Breakdown - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133074" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-xG.png" alt="" width="914" height="1142" />

xGF% - Martin Pospisil (68.40 per cent) belongs at center in my opinion. His amazing abilities on the forecheck make him a highly effective winger, but with the current makeup of Flames pivots he’s much more valuable in the middle. Huberdeau (72.60 per cent) is the primary beneficiary of his play style - and they are meshing pretty well. Had been asking for Anthony Mantha (75.60 per cent) to show up again after a few nights off and he did so in a big way. Was very good at getting open and getting off some hard shots that found their way towards the net.

Game Flow – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133075" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" />

Game Score –

[embed]https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1850355932330398186?s=61&amp;t=uTC00kro9d6PtROYcNn0AA[/embed]

Shot Heatmap – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133076" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/G8-vs-WPG-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" />

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf’s excellent overall statistics are going to be damaged because of a bad bounce off the glass, but I really doubt he cares. In the third period the Jets found themselves with a 90-second 5-on-3 powerplay where Wolf was excellent. His athleticism and swiftness from post-to-post, all while in control of where he stops, is some of the best I’ve seen at the position. It earned him a standing ovation from the crowd. It was something that could have given the Flames their final push towards momentum, but the stripes got in the way and called something questionable on Kadri, which then lead to the eventual game winner. 1.45 expected goals against faced at 5v5 with just the one bouncing off Andersson’s skating getting behind him.

The Goals - 

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1850316646139011082?s=61&amp;t=uTC00kro9d6PtROYcNn0AA[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1850339000361562393?s=61&amp;t=uTC00kro9d6PtROYcNn0AA[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1850347436394561907?s=61&amp;t=uTC00kro9d6PtROYcNn0AA[/embed]

Flash’s 3 Stars – 

1) Connor Zary

2) Rasmus Andersson

3) Anthony Mantha

 (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)

Beyond the Boxscore: Bad penalties and bad bounces abundant in Flames’ loss to Jets

Flames 2024-25 second quarter report cards: Forwards

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (91) celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Recent articles from Flash Stevens

Breaking News