The Calgary Flames defensive effort remained strong, but the offence was absent once again in a 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

It’s a Team Game – Despite their complete inefficiency at being able to actually put the puck in the net the Flames do a pretty darn good job at defending their own end. They limit chances at a good rate, usually only surrendering goals if someone makes a blatant mistake. In this game they played a fairly even first and second period, trading limited chances with the Wild. When the third period hit Calgary found another gear, and pressed harder, but once again this team could not come up with the results. The lack of a true game-breaker in Calgary’s system has been glorified over the last two games. It’s not that Calgary is playing bad hockey – they just don’t have anyone that can be “the guy” on a nightly basis. At least that’s what 17 games of results are telling us right now. (4-11-2)

Corsi King – Brayden Pachal (81.70 CF%) and Yan Kuznetsov (69.4 per cent) were tremendous at limiting any sort of attack against. Kuznetsov is earning a nightly spot in the lineup swiftly. He’s not making mistakes or causing any problems for the team. Obviously we need to see more from him to figure out what he can be this season in the NHL, but he’s earning that right at a rapid pace. I think it might be time to try and see if this motivated Samuel Honzek (72.03 per cent) can find some offence with some different linemates. It’s nice that they have such good possession and chance rates, but if it’s not resulting in goals it needs to change. Some more offensive minded teammates perhaps that are good along the boards. Farabee (54.82 per cent) and Kadri (54.65 per cent) perhaps? They’ve shuffled the deck chairs a lot this season – I believe that will have to continue.

Taken By Chance – The most dangerous forward combination all night was Jonathan Huberdeau (61.58 SCF% // 68.12 HDCF%) and Matt Coronato (61.90 per cent // 100 per cent). In fact, Coronato not scoring over this last two game stretch feels a little unfair. He’s getting good shots, locating well, pouncing on turnovers, finding open space lower in the zone – and yet nothing will go in. Is there a centre that would work with them? Backlund (75.81 per cent // 34.17 per cent) doesn’t have enough offence in him, Frost (68.42 per cent // 100 per cent) is getting decent systemic results but it’s not translating to production, and Kadri (41.59 per cent // 35.54 per cent) hadn’t worked with them in the past. Based on what they have Frost probably stays – at least with him these chances are occurring, eventually some will start going in.

xGF% – MacKenzie Weegar (47.49 per cent) is going to take some lumps for where he was and how he pinched up on the Flames only goal against that beat a goaltender. Matt Boldy found himself all alone with nothing but time and space to beat Cooley however he saw fit. I think Weegar does a lot more good than he ever does bad, but he’s certainly had some rough moments to start this year off. Connor Zary (38.95 per cent) is another player that’s had a rough start. Not in terms of mistakes being made but rather just a lack of ability to generate much of anything with any linemate. He’s not the only one – Yegor Sharangovich (55.53 per cent) is in the exact same position – but that doesn’t mean it’s okay. They really need more from him, just 1 goal and 2 points in 16 games played. Something has to change with how he’s playing out there – it’s not like he’s still accumulating a ton of chances like Coronato (71.04 per cent). I want to see some of that creative flair he had early last season, it’s all but vanished from his game this year.

In The Crease – I don’t think Devin Cooley is on the “wait and see” watch anymore. His performances this season have more than earned him the right to stick around. He was lights out at times for the team, but anytime he gets between the pipes he gets no run support. Wolf deals with it nightly, it’s just what’s normal at this point for the Flames. They do get a really good hand from their defence in limiting the shot quality as a whole – it’s just that when there’s a breakdown it’s usually a big one.

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