The Calgary Flames showed up for the Gaudreaus on Tuesday night as they beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0 in an emotional affair.

It’s a Team Game – It was a beautiful ceremony pre-game from the Calgary Flames with the family of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in attendance. The organization, the crowd, and the players all did their part to make it a very respectful, very moving event. I, for one, would like to thank the Gaudreaus for giving the city a chance to shower them with love. With everything they’ve been dealing with – to allow the city of Calgary a chance to express their admiration for their beloved sons meant a lot. From the pre-game puck drop with Sean Monahan to the announcement of the three stars where Guy Gaudreau hit the ice with Rasmus Andersson and Mikael Backlund – it was a special night. Johnny Gaudreau, forever 13.

Corsi King – On top of all that emotion the Flames played one heck of a team game tonight too. All 18 skaters showed up to make sure the city got the result the night deserved. From the third defence pair with Jake Bean (72.98 CF%) and Brayden Pachal (70.86 percent) to the top line with Huberdeau (63.40 percent) and Kadri (60.28 percent) everyone played solid, defence first 5v5 hockey. They locked up the neutral zone and made it very difficult for the Blue Jackets to find their way through. It was one of the best games they’ve played this season.

Taken By Chance – Rasmus Andersson (67.04 SCF% || 89.56 HDCF%) was a machine getting involved in nine high danger chances and seeing just one against. He said prior to the game he was hoping the young guys would be able to step up because this one could be harder for those that knew Johnny, but that was not how it played out on the ice. He and his partner Kevin Bahl (75.16 per cent || 100 per cent) scored the first two goals for the Flames (both on the power play) while the duo of Huberdeau (80.07 per cent || 100 per cent) and Kadri (73.75 per cent || 88.43 per cent) continued to be an absolute high danger chance unit. Over 8 generated for them during their 5v5 ice time – it’s been nothing but offensive chance generation since being put together in the third period of the Pittsburgh game. It will be exciting to see if that dam can burst, and the Flames need it to burst. 23 straight games without scoring 4 goals: 10-9-4 record in that span.

xGF% – A couple of Flames call-ups made their season debuts in Walker Duehr (64.10 per cent) and Jakob Pelletier (13.85 per cent). Before anybody freaks out about Pelletier, his line played solid defensively they just didn’t generate a lot of offence. I’m not sure Ryan Lomberg (14.37 per cent) and Kevin Rooney (14.23 per cent) are going to consistently be able to help Pelletier in the chance generation department, but there will be an onus on Pelletier to create some himself. Duehr looked like he did the first year he broke into the NHL. Strong strides in his skating, went in to the dirty areas, shot attempts around the net and an infusion of some fresh blood – Walker Duehr was great in his debut. One game does not mean anything, but it was an impressive game from my perspective.

In The Crease – Many an important night in recent Flames history ended up the victim of a subpar goaltending performance and the crowd would leave with a Flames loss. Dan Vladar did not let that happen. It was not the most difficult night he has ever faced in the NHL, but they all count the same once the final horn sounds. With the Gaudreau brothers on his special tribute mask Vladar stopped everything. 1.28 expected goals against and a night Flames fans will remember fondly forever.