The Calgary Flames slowly let the determined Washington Capitals take over the game. Despite their ability to get high quality looks more frequently than the visitors, the Capitals never quit peppering young Wolf with shots. Aided by a couple power play goals, Washington didn’t roll over to the Calgary pressure, stuck with their own gameplan, and outworked the Flames for a respectable win.

CF% &#8211; 46.91%, SCF% &#8211; 43.21%, HDCF% &#8211; 47.76%, xGF% &#8211; 59.62%
It’s a Team Game – Most games the Flames are ready to come out and really play a great first period – set the tone for the rest of the night. Monday evening did not follow that typical path, rather the Capitals out chanced the Flames 4 to 1 in high danger looks. The Flames would go on to lead the back 40 in that regard, but trying to play catch up after a slow start is hard work in the NHL. With everyone on their team rolling offensively a cold snap was bound to happen – although I never did expect it to occur against Charlie Lindgren.
Corsi King – Jonathan Huberdeau (63.69%) continues to be a night and day different player from his first 18 months with the team. He has found some chemistry with Nazem Kadri (59.29%) amidst some injury line swapping to form a formidably dangerous attack. On paper Huberdeau-Kadri looks like it would always work but both guys are finally in sync on a hot streak, maybe if the coaching staff can get this to click now it could lead to something we’ll see consistently for the next 5 or so years. On the flip side of things new number 7 defenceman Joel Hanley (34.83%) struggled to move the puck up ice. He’s still new enough I give him the benefit of the doubt as he tries to settle in – it may take him longer than Miromanov (50.51%) who has seemingly stepped into a top 4 role and has been effective immediately.
Under Pressure &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124099" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SP.png" alt="" width="980" height="1827" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SP.png 980w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SP-161x300.png 161w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SP-549x1024.png 549w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SP-768x1432.png 768w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SP-824x1536.png 824w" sizes="(max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px" />
Taken By Chance – It’s not often a team can find ways to stick Backlund (38.79 SCF% // 31.63 HDCF%) in his own end, but the Capitals were able to do it to the tune of 9 high danger chances against. Of all of the games he’s played in his time here this Is not one of the games he’ll remember fondly. The defensive pair they got stuck chasing with was Weegar (44.00% // 36.89%) and Miromanov (44.16% // 32.58%). I mean, if you’re going to lose at least it’s to a couple of goals scored by the greatest pure goal scorer of any generation.
xG Breakdown &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124100" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-xG.png" alt="" width="928" height="1142" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-xG.png 928w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-xG-244x300.png 244w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-xG-832x1024.png 832w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-xG-768x945.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px" />
xGF% &#8211; Not to get lost in the Huberdeau (80.72%) and Kadri (79.25%) chemistry is the third piece that does the hard work in Pospisil (75.23%). His speed on the forecheck has become something nobody is prepared to deal with and the edge he plays with keeps defenders on their toes. Is he the guy needed to create space for Huberdeau to really take off? We’re going to find out as long as the lines don’t switch up when Zary returns. Dryden Hunt (37.92%) and Andrei Kuzmenko (41.99%) brought up the rear for the Flames. Kuzmenko’s game at times looks flashy but it’s chaotic and filled with unexpected passes into areas nobody is ready to go into. He has all the ability and skill in the world but sometimes he moves too fast for everything to work together – kind of like Nail Yakupov used to play like.
Game Flow – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124101" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-GF.png 751w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-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 2024-03-18:
 <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/Z8BJYoHQ0r">pic.twitter.com/Z8BJYoHQ0r</a>
&mdash; HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) <a href="https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1769927239552905527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 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-124102" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SH.png 803w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SH-300x158.png 300w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SH-768x404.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px" />
In The Crease – I was not a fan of the first goal against on both the goaltenders part and the defenders. Nobody challenged the shooting lane, so Strome had time to pick his spot – the defenders needed to press him rather than watch with glazed eyes. Wolf needs to come out and challenge more, Strome hesitated, and it froze Wolf enough he was able to shoot it right by his glove. Wolf has an unwavering ability to move on to the next game and perform at a high level no matter what happened the previous game. 1.46 expected goals against at 5v5 with just 2 against. Not the worst, not the best.
The Goals &#8211; 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Kevin Rooney gets the Flames on the board! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLCAPS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLCAPS</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/tQJAz88CfM">pic.twitter.com/tQJAz88CfM</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1769907919389372713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 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">
Tom Wilson with the empty netter. This game is over 
5-2 Capitals <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLCAPS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLCAPS</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/Y1Ff35hgO1">pic.twitter.com/Y1Ff35hgO1</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1769925731801543121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Flashalytic’s 3 Stars –  
1) Jonathan Huberdeau
2) Nazem Kadri
3) Martin Pospisil
(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)
&nbsp;
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-123420" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/GRETA-NationAssets-March23-Article-png.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/GRETA-NationAssets-March23-Article-png.png 727w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/GRETA-NationAssets-March23-Article-png-300x167.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" />
Let’s get rowdy! GAME DAY hosted by Flamesnation &amp; Barn Burner at Greta Bar YYC is coming at you live on Saturday March 23rd! Join the crew at our favorite Game Day Watch Party spot, Greta, to watch Calgary take on Vancouver! Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10! Good food, good prizes and a guaranteed good time. This event is brought to you by McLeod Law LLP and Village Honda. <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/flamesnation-game-day-at-greta-march-23">Get your tickets at nationgear.ca before they sell out!</a>

The Calgary Flames slowly let the determined Washington Capitals take over the game. Despite their ability to get high quality looks more frequently than the visitors, the Capitals never quit peppering young Wolf with shots. Aided by a couple power play goals, Washington didn’t roll over to the Calgary pressure, stuck with their own gameplan, and outworked the Flames for a respectable win.



CF% - 46.91%, SCF% - 43.21%, HDCF% - 47.76%, xGF% - 59.62%

It’s a Team Game – Most games the Flames are ready to come out and really play a great first period – set the tone for the rest of the night. Monday evening did not follow that typical path, rather the Capitals out chanced the Flames 4 to 1 in high danger looks. The Flames would go on to lead the back 40 in that regard, but trying to play catch up after a slow start is hard work in the NHL. With everyone on their team rolling offensively a cold snap was bound to happen – although I never did expect it to occur against Charlie Lindgren.

Corsi King – Jonathan Huberdeau (63.69%) continues to be a night and day different player from his first 18 months with the team. He has found some chemistry with Nazem Kadri (59.29%) amidst some injury line swapping to form a formidably dangerous attack. On paper Huberdeau-Kadri looks like it would always work but both guys are finally in sync on a hot streak, maybe if the coaching staff can get this to click now it could lead to something we’ll see consistently for the next 5 or so years. On the flip side of things new number 7 defenceman Joel Hanley (34.83%) struggled to move the puck up ice. He’s still new enough I give him the benefit of the doubt as he tries to settle in – it may take him longer than Miromanov (50.51%) who has seemingly stepped into a top 4 role and has been effective immediately.

Under Pressure - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124099" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SP.png" alt="" width="980" height="1827" />

Taken By Chance – It’s not often a team can find ways to stick Backlund (38.79 SCF% // 31.63 HDCF%) in his own end, but the Capitals were able to do it to the tune of 9 high danger chances against. Of all of the games he’s played in his time here this Is not one of the games he’ll remember fondly. The defensive pair they got stuck chasing with was Weegar (44.00% // 36.89%) and Miromanov (44.16% // 32.58%). I mean, if you’re going to lose at least it’s to a couple of goals scored by the greatest pure goal scorer of any generation.

xG Breakdown - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124100" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-xG.png" alt="" width="928" height="1142" />

xGF% - Not to get lost in the Huberdeau (80.72%) and Kadri (79.25%) chemistry is the third piece that does the hard work in Pospisil (75.23%). His speed on the forecheck has become something nobody is prepared to deal with and the edge he plays with keeps defenders on their toes. Is he the guy needed to create space for Huberdeau to really take off? We’re going to find out as long as the lines don’t switch up when Zary returns. Dryden Hunt (37.92%) and Andrei Kuzmenko (41.99%) brought up the rear for the Flames. Kuzmenko’s game at times looks flashy but it’s chaotic and filled with unexpected passes into areas nobody is ready to go into. He has all the ability and skill in the world but sometimes he moves too fast for everything to work together – kind of like Nail Yakupov used to play like.

Game Flow – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124101" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" />

Game Score –

[embed]https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1769927239552905527?s=61&amp;t=pIWGmpJMThsRyp7Ltv91IA[/embed]

Shot Heatmap – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124102" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/G68-vs-WSH-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" />

In The Crease – I was not a fan of the first goal against on both the goaltenders part and the defenders. Nobody challenged the shooting lane, so Strome had time to pick his spot – the defenders needed to press him rather than watch with glazed eyes. Wolf needs to come out and challenge more, Strome hesitated, and it froze Wolf enough he was able to shoot it right by his glove. Wolf has an unwavering ability to move on to the next game and perform at a high level no matter what happened the previous game. 1.46 expected goals against at 5v5 with just 2 against. Not the worst, not the best.

The Goals - 

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1769907919389372713?s=61&amp;t=pIWGmpJMThsRyp7Ltv91IA[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1769925731801543121?s=61&amp;t=pIWGmpJMThsRyp7Ltv91IA[/embed]

Flashalytic’s 3 Stars –  

1) Jonathan Huberdeau

2) Nazem Kadri

3) Martin Pospisil

(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)

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-123420" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/GRETA-NationAssets-March23-Article-png.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

Let’s get rowdy! GAME DAY hosted by Flamesnation &amp; Barn Burner at Greta Bar YYC is coming at you live on Saturday March 23rd! Join the crew at our favorite Game Day Watch Party spot, Greta, to watch Calgary take on Vancouver! Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10! Good food, good prizes and a guaranteed good time. This event is brought to you by McLeod Law LLP and Village Honda. <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/flamesnation-game-day-at-greta-march-23">Get your tickets at nationgear.ca before they sell out!</a>

Beyond the Boxscore: Calgary Flames end up as a stepping stone as Ovechkin chases history with Capitals

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