The Calgary Flames gave the Dallas Stars some real competition but fell in overtime 3-2.

It’s a Team Game – It wasn’t the best start for the Flames. Dallas had them pinned back early, but Joel Farabee decided to pull a goal-of-the-year candidate out of nowhere to claim the first goal. The Flames shot out of a cannon to start the second period and were rewarded with the first Mikael Backlund goal scored since late January. The lead would not last long, one minute thirty-seven seconds to be exact, as Wyatt Johnston continues to elevate his game. Calgary’s third was their usual sheltered attack – it sucks the life out of the entire teams offence and basically leaves them waiting to get scored on. The Stars eventually tied things up and the Flames attack restarted, but they could only ever find the iron and never the net. The last game of a long road trip – they’ve more than earned a passing grade for their performance. Time to let the trade deadline go past and focus on the final twenty games.

Corsi King – Jonathan Huberdeau (68.81 CF%) led in chance disparity – overwhelmingly with a ten-attempt advantage. I do feel like Huberdeau hasn’t been a major difference maker lately but singling him out when the whole teams been up and down isn’t very fair. Then I remember how much of the salary cap he takes up and I come back to wanting just a little more offence, a little more often. Matt Coronato (60.43 per cent) continues to dance around breaking out offensively. He’s relentless on the forecheck which helps him force turnovers – if they just maintain a solid attack and help get him some more time in the offensive zone there’s some damage for him to do.

Taken By Chance – Joel Farabee (25.49 SCF% || 41.27 HDCF%) had the highlight of the entire tip with that first period goal. Lian Bichsel was caught in the spin cycle and Farabee closed it out going top cheddar over Jake Oettinger. Both goals came from this line, Backlund (20.63 per cent || 31.86 per cent) had been dancing around the net for two straight games he was due. They all achieved three high danger chances, with Farabee earning four, but gave up over six high danger looks against as well. Dallas is as lethal as it gets in the National Hockey League – and by the time this goes live they could possibly have Mikko Rantanen – so surviving and earning a point after two weeks on the road is all that matters.

xGF% – After a two-goal game why was Connor Zary (48.64 per cent) so limited? It’s a legitimate question he really didn’t do anything wrong as an individual player. You keep him with Rooney (62.75 per cent) who has got a pretty low offensive ceiling and shun him from overtime. Make it make more sense, please. Yegor Sharangovich (20.72 per cent) could not be trusted for one second all night long, yet he did get shifts in overtime. He was also the one who eventually lost possession after a poke check from the goaltender in the extra frame. It has been a nightmare year for Sharangovich and this game did not help things.

In The Crease – I thought Dan Vladar was excellent and poised all night long. He truly stole this point after the Stars poured things on in the third period. I do not think they’ll move him along after his last couple oof performances and they’ll keep him as insurance for their playoff push. They are in a wildcard spot by points, but not points percentage. Add in the turmoil going on with the Wranglers surrendering goals at an alarming rate and it’s all the more reason to keep him in the fold. 2.10 expected goals against at 5v5 with two goals getting behind him.