The Calgary Flames and the visiting St. Louis Blues went back and forth in an entertaining affair that ended up as a 4-3 overtime loss for the home team.

It’s a Team Game – Calgary got off to a hot start in terms of generating chances, but also gave up two goals while getting all those chances. Then as the game got later the Blues started getting more of the opportunities at 5v5 and on the powerplay where they eventually scored. Good for the Flames that MacKenzie Weegar found some space in front of the net after the game went to four-on-four. It still was not enough offence though, as the teams streak of scoring three goals or less hits twenty-four games. They could have called that overtime goal back with ease, but that still wouldn’t have guaranteed the Flames would score a fourth one themselves. With Justin Kirkland out and Kuzmenko in the press box they had two of their three regular shootout options gone as well. Finding that extra offence in regulation is going to be necessary as the season gets more competitive.

Corsi King – Jakob Pelletier (77.12 CF%) came up big as the only 5v5 scorer for the Flames Thursday night. The fourth line for Calgary had limited ice time but performed very well in those minutes. Jake Bean (75.56 per cent) and Brayden Pachal (70.85 per cent) also very effective defensively seeing just single digit shoot attempts against in over twelve minutes of 5v5 play. The Flames entire defence grouping from 1-5 with Bean, Hanley, and Barrie rotating in has been fantastic all year. It’s a major reason they still have playoff hopes despite the whole team’s scoring slump.

Taken By Chance – The Flames fourth line was the only bunch to not see a high danger chance against at 5v5. A major flip from the last game where they really struggled. Pelletier (100 SCF% || 100 HDCF%) seemed to lose any jitters he had in the first game to really pop in his time tonight. I am torn about Huberdeau (49.56 per cent || 27.19 per cent) and Kadri (50.35 per cent || 27.19 per cent). On the one hand they have been very good at creating some quality offence together but on the other hand they gave up over seven high danger chances tonight. It’s give and get, just want to hope to see more get than give.

xGF% – The Flames’ only international representative in Rasmus Andersson (72.78 per cent) continues to impress on a nightly basis. Yeah, he and Bahl (71.83 per cent) got scored on tonight, but nobody makes it 82 games without that happening once in a while. If they make a mistake, they don’t let it get to them and get back to work the very next shift. Walker Duehr (54.89 per cent) kept playing with speed as well. They may not have scored four, but it feels like after these call-ups they may be close. They have already contributed more in the past two games than Kuzmenko had contributed over the last month.

In The Crease – I believe Dan Vladar has a right to be upset. I also think if they deemed that final goal a follow through play they may not have had the evidence to overturn it. I’m biased – I want the Flames to win – so of course I wanted that to not count. Vladar had battled through a third period where the Blues really put on the pressure. This was his third straight game and he is playing top notch. It’s probably time for a switch to get Wolf back in, but I do not have any worry for a Vladar start these days. 2.74 expected goals against at 5v5 with four getting behind him