The Calgary Flames walked into Utah for their first game in Salt Lake City and got shown the door immediately, losing 5-1.

It’s a Team Game – This was one of those games where Calgary was never in control. There was a brief bright spot to start the third period, but it evaporated when Keller scored goal number 5. There was a decent number of special teams – unfortunately Calgary lost that battle as well. They took too many penalties and failed to gain momentum at any point. It was a rough one to say the least.

Corsi King – Andrei Kuzmenko (62.55 CF%) led the boys here. It was only 1 game, but Samuel Honzek (19.49 per cent) struggled next to Mikael Backlund (28.99 per cent) in his first game back from injury. I’m not going to say anything but nice things about Backlund though – 1,000 games with one franchise is special and he deserves the respect. The most consistent Flame had an off night with the young guy – it’ll find a way to correct itself. Brayden Pachal (55.89 per cent) got some elevated playing time and did not disappoint. He’s one of the best Flames stories of the early season as his play has not faltered through both the winning and losing streaks.

Taken By Chance – As you will see in the xG chart below this – Rasmus Andersson (48.54 SCF% || 49.53 percent) is fun. He takes the risks needed to try to get offence. Sometimes that results in a decent opportunity the other way, but this year – more often than not – Kevin Bahl (48.78 percent // 49.53 percent) has been there as a defensive rock. Now that did not occur in this particular game, but I’m trying to say positive things here. It’s a long season too much negativity is just a bunch of wasted breathes.

xGF% – I am really rooting for Andrei Kuzmenko (81.94 per cent) to succeed, but he needs to start finding the scoresheet again. Jonathan Huberdeau (73.80%) continues to post positive shot quality results.  In terms of actual goals at 5v5 he was on the ice one for and one against. I just want to see a bit more long-term possession from Huberdeau’s lines. Make the opponent chase you in the offensive zone, maybe get the cycle going. Get bodies moving and passing lanes changing, something that could play to a pure passer’s strength.

In The Crease – Not the best night for Mr. Wolf. Not every single one is going to be spectacular. He was still a very quick mobile goaltender that can move laterally in an extremely effective manner. Sometimes that just doesn’t matter. 1.27 expected goals against at 5v5 – 2 low danger goals against. Gotta find a way to rebound and lock in for the next game, a good early test I think the man can pass without breaking a sweat. If Vladar is healthy I expect the rotation to continue, and he will play the next game

Player Spotlight – Mikael Backlund – I come from a small town in Alberta called Hanna. In 2009 a local guy by the name of Ryley Grantham (sixth round, 168th, 2008) had been drafted by the Flames so I was paying close attention to the Kelowna Rockets around the exact same time that Mikael Backlund arrived there too. He had come over from Sweden to try and win a Memorial Cup on a team that also featured Jamie Benn, Tyler Myers, and Tyson Barrie. They went on a championship run that I remember to this day – watching the games on the old Shaw station. I’ve loved watching Mikael Backlund play from that day on and am so grateful he got to be just the second person behind Jarome Iginla to play 1,000 games for this franchise. He’s been devoted to this city and the C of Red from the moment he put the jersey on. On a night where the result wasn’t something to celebrate, let’s all raise our glasses to the Captain. Cheers Backs, Congratulations.