The Calgary Flames went up against the Winnipeg Jets, but couldn’t find the net one extra time in a 4-3 shootout loss.

It’s a Team Game – It was mostly another semi low-event Calgary Flames game, except this one was riddled with consistent turnovers from both sides. It created a fun watch as the teams attempted to creatively navigate the neutral zone and get a jump on defenders. Despite an increase in net drives and creative moves to get open it was a flurry of deflection goals that dominated the scoresheet. Bounces off skates and sticks confusing the two all-star level goaltenders as they would have any other goaltender. The third period saw things get locked up tight – chances were limited and space even less. Matt Coronato tucking one in with the goalie pulled stole a point for the Flames who still want to collect every point they could earn. No shame in that – it’s why they play – fans can see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to a bad season, but the players have to go out and live the here and now of it every single day of their lives. It’s not too enjoyable for them to fail at stacking even a few wins up in a row.

Corsi King – Adam Klapka (76.02 CF%) has been an enjoyable watch for me this season. He clearly belongs here in the NHL even if he ends up just a fourth line guy who can bring size and energy. I think there’s more offence there than what’s been showcased, but you have to do what it takes to stay in the lineup and he’s playing that 4RW role pretty darn well. I don’t have a desire for that to change. Kevin Bahl (59.78 per cent) earned himself a goal on the backend. These games where Calgary gets contributions from unlikely sources are crucial for them to collect points. Each goal they score these days feels like a gift, one you don’t want to disrespect with a loss.

Taken By Chance – Nazem Kadri (36.68 SCF% // 63.05 HDCF%) is a treat to watch out there. I only wish more of his efforts could turn into actual goals, because he tries like hell every single game to drive the puck into the middle of the ice and create scoring opportunities. He doesn’t need Huberdeau (23.07 per cent // 24.65 per cent) to be his setup man, he creates his own space. I wish the young Flames would start to emulate some of that in their own game, because right now it’s not happening much throughout the lineup. I have liked that whenever Rory Kerins (41.82 per cent // 100 per cent) is out there with him he makes a concentrated effort to get the puck into the middle of the ice. If he keeps getting the puck into the crease area like he has it’ll result in some goals (he says knowing that’s the single hardest thing for this team to accomplish).

xGF% – Rasmus Andersson (59.53 per cent) was out for both a 5v5 goal for and the weird one against where the Jets got one after Backlund (50.89 per cent) collided with Samuel Honzek (13.87 per cent) at the opposite blueline. After the collision nobody was in the right spot and Scheifele found the space to walk in alone. It looked very similar to the goal scored this past week where Weegar (32.65 per cent) drifted too far into the opposite side of the ice, and it resulted in a walk-in goal. If they’re going to be a defence first team that scores in very limited bunches those lapses need to be cleaned up. Honzek had to leave the game after that too – hope to hear positive news on that front when the team addresses it (probably Sunday, I’m guessing).

In The Crease – Just two 5v5 goals against on 20 shots and 2.77 expected goals in quality faced. Wolf was his usual top-notch self. He also surrendered a power play goal, but if you’ve read these before I typically don’t pin those on the goaltender. He didn’t put his team a man down. Sometimes they’re still so bad it’s the tenders fault, but that wasn’t the case here. Wolf is going to make a lot of games closer than they should be – getting some points (and avoiding stacking Ls in his career numbers) is hardly something I view as a negative. When the team gets more advanced personnel and can limit the mistakes and turnovers the Flames tend to make Wolf will see his numbers spike to top of the league levels. That’s just probably going to be around when the new arena opens in 2027-28.

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