After a lengthy second intermission due to an ice error, the Calgary Flames couldn’t find their earlier groove, ultimately falling 6-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights.

CF% – 36.93%|| SCF% – 42.55%|| HDCF% – 34.01%|| xGF% – 31.81%

It’s a Team Game – It’s not a newsflash that the Vegas Golden Knights are a skilled hockey team, still you do have to do your best to keep them away from shooting in the middle of the ice. Calgary failed to do that all night long, and eventually ran out of luck in the third period. All 5 of Vegas’ goals scored at 5v5 came directly within a sticks length of the crease. They had uncontested space in front for tips, had large chunks of possession and pressure, and never let the Flames get too far ahead. Of course, Vegas had their own defensive breakdowns, but the Flames could barely capitalize. No goals on a 5-on-3 coupled with some odd-man rush shots that sailed by the net rather than into it. Of all their games remaining this one would have been nice to win, but instead the Flames remain near the bottom and Vegas gets closer to the playoffs they so desperately want to make.

Corsi King – Preface before getting into players – the whole team got shellacked. Not as bad as Colorado, but also not that crazy of an improvement. With how close the score was for so long it didn’t seem like it was a similar game to that one, but after going back through and seeing the amount of time Vegas couldn’t score after extended possession time (the early penalties did not help the Flames) it makes sense this is how it shook down in the end. Blake Coleman (30.38 CF%) had a good scoring touch in this one, getting 66.6% of the Flames goals. A good example of making the chances you do get count. He’s up to 19 goals on the season now, tied for the team lead.

Under Pressure –

Taken By Chance – Tied for the lead at 19 goals, the other guy is now Morgan Frost (56.36 SCF% // 45.67 HDCF%). Visually that line always shakes out as the Flames best on the ice, and when I check the numbers after it’s usually shaken down like that. They are faster, more creative, and more willing to take a risk than the other lines. I don’t think it’s hard for teams to start recognizing that and giving them the hardest match-ups on the road. This is going to make it difficult for Matvei Gridin (66.30 per cent // 53.17 per cent) in the short term, but something that could be really beneficial for his development overall.

xG Breakdown –

xGF% – I do not need to see Victor Olofsson (15.99 per cent) play for two more minutes than Connor Zary (15.79 per cent). I’m sure he’s a lovely human, but with limited games left Calgary has a real opportunity to give some younger players some NHL experience – some real stuff too. Not some fluff games from teams resting playoff starters or other teams already eliminated. Real fight for your life games are happening with their opponents right now and Calgary should be taking advantage of that… for their future. This means more Zary, more of Tyson Gross and Brennan Othmann, more Brzustewicz instead of Pachal (27.23 per cent). This isn’t as complicated as launching Artemis II around the moon, just give yourself a bit of a reality check and spend the last two weeks seeing what you have in these kids for real so you can make more informed decisions at the next training camp. This way you could possibly avoid putting Yan Kuznetsov (27.91 per cent) on waivers for Daniil Miromanov, just seems like the smarter long-term option.

Game Flow –

Shot Heatmap –

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf had a bad night. The defence in front of him was not good, but it hasn’t been all year. He has still found ways to get beat with a few more extra goals than he really should have. I know he can’t clear his own crease, but the numbers show he’s been below average in terms of saving goals above expected. It’s not a banner year for him either. Last season he almost drug them into the playoffs, so it leaves me very curious about next year. Which level of Wolf is the real one? We have to wait until next year to really see.

The Goals –