The Calgary Flames’ offence continued to play some quality hockey but could not translate that into a win as they fall 4-3 in a shootout to Ottawa.

It’s a Team Game – The Calgary Flames have been playing some good hockey, but every single game they are running into new ways to lose. Tonight’s loss came from a goal that happened to bounce off three different Calgary Flames before deflecting past starting goaltender Devin Cooley. One singular goal isn’t the direct cause, of course not, but it came late in the third period and cost the Flames a victory they had spent 55 minutes earning. As for the actual gameplay the Flames have increased their emphasis on getting to the crease to get opportunities. During the losing streak zone entries were all safe and offensive zone attacks were ran from the perimeter. It killed their offensive potential. This road trip has seen an increase in the Flames entering the zone through the middle of the ice with possession which Is creating better quality scoring chances. They are also better at coming from behind the goal line to try and get passes into the slot. All of these were vacant from this roster for a long time and it’s no coincidence their ability to score at least three goals kicked into gear when these elements came back into the teams game.

Moral victories don’t move them up in the standings though and that’s all these team wants to do right now – climb back up.

Corsi King – MacKenzie Weegar (70.16 CF%) has had more rough outings than good ones this year. He was rock solid against Ottawa though. Blatant turnovers absent and good crisp breakouts from his own zone. Of course, the final goal bounces in off him last – but that just feels like the state of the Flames right now. I hadn’t highlighted Weegar’s struggles too much this season solely because I believe he’ll play his way out of it and get back to being the top line defender he truly is. All these turnovers of late have given me some TJ Brodie flashbacks (great player for what it’s worth) – and Weegar is certainly a higher quality of player. He’ll get back to form, I have no doubt.

Again, this was a good game – nobody lost their minutes. The worst in terms of possession was one of the most lethal forward lines on the ice all night in Huberdeau (42.76%), Frost (48.21 per cent), and Kadri (45.72 per cent). That trio looks pretty darn smooth together when they get the chance to fling the puck to each other in open space. Kadri specifically has impressed me with how he’s been driving the middle lane of the ice creating space for his wingers to make skill plays. It needs to stay like this going forward, the wins will come.

Taken By Chance – There’s a lot of online chatter about why Ryan Lomberg (100 SCF% // 100 HDCF%) is in the lineup every night. I love Lomberg’s personality, and he does not make simple mistakes. Guys like him had to grind with every fibre of their being just to make the league – they don’t get to stick around like he does by messing up. That’s why the coaches love him – that and his infectious positivity – and I can understand why. Regardless what anyone outside of the dressing room thinks Lomberg will more than likely play in every game unless injured. I’d keep him projected in your lineups if you want to try and predict realist outcomes.

One pair got caved in high danger chances, just one. Kevin Bahl (37.01 per cent // 29.78 per cent) and Rasmus Andersson (37.01 per cent // 28.78 per cent). I don’t think this happens too often, and they haven’t been the ones making the turnovers, so I’m also not too concerned about that. In fact, Rasmus Anderson (with a sample size one-third of what it needs to be to make serious judgments) is the top Flames defenceman in xGAR (expected goals above replacement) by Evolving-Hockey’s model. I still think the Flames end up moving him, but he’s showcasing well in terms of fundamental play to start this season.

xGF% – Depending on how the weekends games going I may have a theory. Because right now the Flames are rotating guys as healthy scratches because they have more middle six wingers than they have roster spots. Connor Zary missed this game, Matt Coronato (56.05 per cent) missed the last one and Yegor Sharangovich (48.18 per cent) was before him. Adam Klapka (78.25 per cent) also has had to sit despite his quality play for the role they are using him in. Samuel Honzek (59.91 per cent) has taken a job and with how Matvei Gridin is playing in the minors there’s going to be another one taken before this season wraps up in the spring. Oh yeah, Martin Pospisil is going to come back from injury soon too. Something has got to give, the future of this team is the youth, and they need to be playing – especially if they’ve showcased they’ve earned it. Until that happens, My theory is I think the coach is going to continue to rotate the scratches unless some sort of clear chemistry is displayed.

In The Crease – Devin Cooley has some crazy rebounds fly off those pads of his. He had enough support tonight to clear those away, but man were there ever a lot of pucks sent back out In wild directions. He was very good at getting in front of the first attempt all night long and had some quality lateral movement. I believe he staved off the demotion hounds until another performance. I do not know how many of these he has to play well in before a bad game can occur, but I still feel like if he collapsed next game, they’d start to seriously look elsewhere. Not today though, Cooley earns them their sixth standings point with a solid performance.