The Los Angeles Kings came into town ready for a fight and ran into the wall that is Dustin Wolf.

It’s a Team Game – The game started and the Kings got to pressuring Calgary immediately. The Flames had a hard time pushing pace back towards the LA zone. Things were controlled by the Kings almost all night long. Calgary didn’t roll over and let them push them around, they made the Kings work for their success, but the ice was constantly tilted towards the home team’s end of the ice. Dustin Wolf had to remain sharp all night long, but that’s never been an issue for him at home. He’s been dynamite inside the Saddledome all season, playing like he’s been in there for years! Probably because he has – a benefit of the Wranglers playing in town as well. The third period was another struggle for Calgary as they tried to score more to go ahead, but if they continue to get this level of goaltending three goals or less will go a lot longer than many are comfortable with.

Corsi King – He may have finished at the top, but I was not particularly impressed with what I saw out of Kuzmenko (65.45 CF%). He jumps into plays and starts moving so fast it looks like he doesn’t have time to process what he wants to do. I don’t think the message to simply his game and simply shoot the puck more is working. He’s on the DFO trade bait list right now. If anyone wanted to give something for him, I think it’s fair to give him one last try to stay in the NHL. It does not look like it will be in Calgary though. MacKenzie Weegar (52.69 per cent) I felt played a strong game – he made a couple of mistakes but he largely is always in the right spot to create turnovers and transition the puck towards the attacking zone.

Taken By Chance – Matt Coronato (65.88 SCF% || 58.85 HDCF%) had a real productive night with a goal and assist. His play away from the puck was at a high-level tonight. While nobody had a good first period outside of Wolf, Coronato was the first player to get things going for the Flames. He keeps his feet moving, finds quiet areas on the ice, has an unreal shot with power and accuracy, and he’s only just getting started. Until the surge of offence from Huberdeau (42.36 per cent || 0 per cent) and Kadri (38.74 per cent || 0 per cent) the youth had been leading the team. With Zary out Coronato really stepped up, and his recent play is enough to suggest it could keep occurring.

xGF% – Kevin Rooney (0 per cent) failed to register any form of 5v5 offence in the slightest form. His ice time was limited with two Lomberg (49.33 per cent) fights and Walker Duehr (0 per cent) getting banged up, but that isn’t a bad thing. He is spending way too much time in his own zone and has struggled to help his wingers transition the play forward. Calgary keeps winning these one score games and need someone in that spot that can at least provide some form of offensive punch. If Dustin Wolf wasn’t here that game isn’t close – the fact that they won does not mean the lack of goal scoring can have a blind eye turned to it. Maybe the AHL’s leading goal scorer – Rory Kerins – can help out.

In The Crease – This one was a Dustin Wolf masterclass. I love how he continues to tell the media that his job is stop as many pucks as he can – simple messaging to keep himself on track. He’s never put himself before the team and he’s as professionally prepared as they come. When July 1 comes it’s time to extend him for eight years, he’s shown more than enough from draft day until now to show he’s worth the shot. He’s played eight of the Flames last eleven games and in that time he’s surrender just nine goals at 5v5 while also earning an all situations save percentage of .930%. He has an overall record of 14-6-2 for the whole season. Stupendous stuff.  Lock him up – long term – the second you can.