The Calgary Flames had the game within their grasps before Leon Draisaitl clutched a 3-2 overtime victory for the Edmonton Oilers.

It’s a Team Game – One thing I enjoy is a hard fought, evenly played hockey game. Both teams being able to go back and forth on the scoresheet and neither team ever dominating the other for long stretches of time. This past edition of the battle of Alberta played out just like that – a Saturday night treat for hockey fans. Calgary got off to the quick start with Yegor Sharangovich tapping home a rebound goal early. Momentum would shift back and forth between both teams throughout the next two periods before Edmonton got on the scoresheet late in the second frame. A 1-1 hockey game headed into the third period – unfortunately for Calgary the result ended the same as Stompin’ Tom Connors fabled tune where the puck went in and the home team won. No shame in the performance from the Flames though and it resulted in yet another enjoyable match-up between the two rivals.

Corsi King – Nazem Kadri (68.22%) is on fire right now. Everything he touches is turning into big time gold. Connor Zary was out due to injury so Yegor Sharangovich (65.66 per cent) re-entered the lineup and immediately scored. Credit to Sharangovich – he made a nice move at the blue line to get behind two Edmonton defenders who both ended up hyper focusing on the puck carrier. When the rebound off of Kadri’s initial shot bounced into the slot he was in the perfect location untouched. The entire line remained heavily in the positives for shot attempts and high danger chances. Kadri can find success with anyone right now – an enjoyment to watch.

Taken By Chance – The Flames fourth line had one of their best outings in a while. Kevin Rooney (70.91 SCF% || 100 HDCF%) and Adam Klapka (61.60 per cent || 100 per cent) both played less than 10 minutes 5v5 but earned over three high danger chances. Brayden Pachal (70.21 per cent || 100 per cent) earned himself a goal and an assist. I’m good with him drawing back into playing every game. I think he is a solid addition to the lineup and brings massive stability to the teams third defence pairing. The wingers are being more aggressive, and the Flames offensive players have woken up – Pachal raises the defensive level of the team more than he affects the offence.

xGF% – Jake Bean (91.03 per cent) was on the ice for both goals scored and saw no significant chances against. He didn’t have a huge shoot attempt disparity, but coupled with his partner the two limited the opposition to single digit attempts. Not everything went crazy positive though. Mikael Backlund (29.43 per cent) got out chanced by double, MacKenzie Weegar (25.24 per cent) saw some high-quality shots get through to Wolf, and Jonathan Huberdeau (32.33 per cent) couldn’t find the same magic as Kadri (76.98 per cent). Honestly, minor details for the Flames. The main problem was their ability to transition the puck without turning it over, but that issue extends to a lot of teams, not just the Flames.

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf did not get the last laugh with Leon Draisaitl, but he sure did make him work for his goals. Prior to the third period Wolf had been thwarting him regularly – this includes a point-blank blocker shrug off I’m sure Draisaitl doesn’t see too often. In the end Draisaitl got the win – the Flames are in no position to be losing any more points which stings them more. Not any one person’s fault, but they are just out of time. 2.32 expected goals against with just two 5v5 goals getting behind him.