The Calgary Flames played a remarkably low event game with little to no offence generated on the way to a 1-0 overtime loss.

It’s a Team Game – In games where very little occurs a single extra chance can change percentages in a volatile direction. The Flames being below 50 across the board doesn’t accurately reflect the fact that they themselves played a strong defensive game. Particularly the defensive unit who kept making sure second chance opportunities were cleared away, even though some never left the zone. The first period was rough for everyone with a Flaming C not named Devin Cooley, who turned in another spectacular performance against a quality team. They picked things up and had an okay second and then a better third. It wasn’t enough though, zero goals never is, and instead the Flames end up with another mark in the loss column (OTL, but still a loss).

Corsi King – Carolina is a team that, for about a decade now, just overwhelms the opponent with shot attempts. They are great on the boards at picking up missed shots and rebounds and are not shy to make crazy seam passes if they feel there are openings. The Flames had some players fall victim to that smothering of offence they typically are able to create. Mikael Backlund (29.37 per cent) with his line and Nazem Kadri (26.16 per cent) with his got shelled pretty bad in their minutes. Hard to create much offence if you spend the majority of your time and energy defending in your own zone. Kadri displayed some usual flashes, but it wasn’t much of what we usually get from him.

Taken By Chance – Kudos to Jake Bean (59.50 SCF% // 46.08 HDCF%) for coming in cold and not faltering too much. I was pretty happy with the entire defence corps commitment in clearing out second chance opportunities, but did largely fail at limiting first shots. There was a fair number of breakaways given up, but nobody in this game – on either side – had the ability to hit the broad side of a barn. I’ve said it before but Calgary’s defensive game and ability to limit mistakes, so long as they don’t make egregious turnovers, is at a top 10 rate in the NHL. They just lack the necessary skill level up front to continually produce offence.

xGF% – I thought Matt Coronato (69.28 per cent) stood out amongst the forwards. He constantly earned himself a few of those fast breaks but ended up only ever catching iron instead of twine. He is clearly the best winger in terms of getting himself into scoring positions – the others could really look to him as an example of what to do consistently. I wish everyone could love something as much as Ryan Huska loves to find ways to get Dryden Hunt (79.08 per cent) into NHL games. He’s serviceable every time he’s here, but maybe seeing what you have in someone like William Stromgren is more worth your time. You gave Martin Pospisil a shot, that worked. You gave Yan Kuznetsov (57.45%) a shot, that worked. Take a look at the standings and please start to operate like a franchise that knows where you actually are. Using the 30-year-old Hunt as a fourth liner does absolutely nothing for you now or in the future. There are options available, stop being scared of ending up where you already are.

In The Crease – Devin Cooley is on some kind of tear right now. Rocking a save percentage above 0.930 through 10 appearances is no small feat. This game isn’t close without his strong start, holding the fort. He did everything he possibly could and was a few overtime minutes away from his first career NHL shutout. He has, without a doubt, been the Flames best goaltender this season. Wolf certainly comes off as more athletic, but the results all point to Cooley and his impressive start right now.

Take $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200+ using promo code FLAMESNATION (new customers only, $200 USD minimum before taxes & fees)