The Calgary Flames sure came to play physically, but it wasn’t enough to get by Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, losing 5-3.

It’s a Team Game – It was a long time before Calgary started getting chances of any significance. Chicago and it’s sizable defenceman did a good job of keeping the Flames to the outside, but the Flames prefer to have the puck out there anyways. High danger chances? Not the number one priority for this team. The way I see it there are two ways you need to be able to play in a season, and the Flames are only capable of playing the one style. Playoff hockey, where everything is tight checking and one goal can swing things and regular season hockey, where you can produce enough goals to outscore your own mistakes. Calgary plays a good playoff style of hockey – limiting chances against and helping make their goaltender have an easier time – but they do not play anywhere near the level of regular season hockey it takes to get there.

You need goals, man. Desperately.

Corsi King – Sam Morton (62.82 CF%) has every right to be the most upset about a Johnny Beecher waiver claim. Finally gets the call-up to play in a game that’s not an end of the season throwaway and the team already has someone else coming for that job. I don’t think Beecher will move the needle anywhere in either a positive or negative direction. I’d be quite floored if he played any hockey off the fourth line, but he does seem more like a player this coach likes. Big, can control the boards, and keeps the puck away from the middle of the ice. Morton was fast paced and stood out amongst the skaters every chance he got. He certainly played up to his minutes and did not look out of place.

Taken By Chance – `Matt Coronato (56.25 SCF% // 50.94 HDCF%) being at the top of the high danger chance list does not surprise me. The fact he was at the top with only two generated was the eye opener. Even though they struggle someone at least finds a way to get to four dangerous opportunities a game, not in this one though. He’s an example of how more dangerous shots are working. Tonight’s power play goal to end the second period came from the blue paint, but somebody had to get that puck in there (thank you Kadri (42.57 per cent // 51.76 per cent)). Yegor Sharangovich (23.71 per cent // 0 per cent) continued to provide next to no value – and certainly less impactful than Rory Kerins was in his two games here. The more that continues the less I will believe this organization makes decisions based on merit.

xGF% – Being large is awarding Adam Klapka (72.81 per cent) some opportunity in clutch spots for this team. Goalie is pulled and he’s occupying one of the spots of guys trying to score goals to tie. If he can start to contribute there, he could really make a case to see some elevated ice time and responsibility. So far, it’s not worked at all – almost like the low percentage point shots remain low percentage opportunities whether the goaltender is screened or not. Klapka was very noticeable for many reasons in this one, including the entertaining mini brawl at the end (Pachal (26.16 per cent) out there manhandling someone). Although, if the most entertaining part of the game from a Flames perspective was a post-game scrap it showcases that it really was not a well-played game.

In The Crease – The broadcast was giving Wolf some flak for the second goal, but I really think Yan Kuznetsov should’ve played his man more physically. The third goal Bedard goal had my jaw on the floor. Prime Stamkos/Matthews snipe from Bedard on that one – labelled for the corner. Throw in a 50/50 puck and some defensive collapses that lead to more goals against and all of a sudden, the offence needs 5 goals to support what’s going on. They aren’t capable of doing that these days. 3 is a mountain climb, 4 is outer space travel, and 5 is inter-dimensional to them. Not great for Wolf, but this is the 2025 norm for the Calgary Flames.

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