The Calgary Flames gave the NHL’s first place team a run for their money but ended up falling to the Washington Capitals 3-1.

It’s a Team Game – The only thing the Flames are guilty of in this one is allowing goals against off of a few bad mistakes. The first Dubois goal was a terrible giveaway by MacKenzie Weegar as he was attempting to clear the puck from the low slot. The second goal against was a 5-on-3 created by Blake Coleman getting caught for using his glove to throw the puck. Two single mistakes in well played games by both men end up being the difference on the night. An extremely small margin of error when the offence comes at the rate it does for the Calgary Flames. They pressed hard and saw some young players have some quality nights, but are still waiting for someone to step up and start scoring those big goals more consistently.

Corsi King – Personally I thought Matt Coronato (68.42 CF%) was buzzing out there. He had multiple takeaways by forcing a turnover with an aggressive forecheck. Once he gets the puck he starts driving into scoring lanes. Lastly, he’s showing more of a willingness to let the puck rip – he just has to hit the net a bit more. That will come with more time, I’m sure of it. When the Flames decide on another lineup switch – which if the offence remains stale will be soon – I’m hoping to see Coronato get another shot with some offensive players. The issue is the centre options are very limited right now, and removing Pelletier (55.76 per cent) from Huberdeau (46.71 per cent) right now is not something I really have the appetite of doing. Unless Zary was back, because I feel Huberdeau – Zary – Coronato could be a really dangerous combination.

Taken By Chance – Blake Coleman (70.95 SCF% || 79.80 HDCF%) has been in quite the groove of late. He was driving offence all night long and eventually got rewarded with the deflection goal. He and Backlund (64.05 per cent || 66.40 per cent) ended up getting four high danger chances, most on the team. Next, I would like to both compliment and critique Tyson Barrie (42.41 per cent || 37.49 per cent). Nobody on their blueline can operate a power play from the point like he can, but almost all of them can defend in their own end better. He provides an answer to a desperate need but at the detriment of the team’s biggest strength – their 5v5 defensive structure. Kind of fascinated to see if Ryan Huska can work this to find some sort of acceptable balance or if eventually things just go back to the status quo. It’s more than likely the latter

xGF% – I am specifically wanting to highlight two young players who I thought were doing quite well. Jakob Pelletier (33.98%) spent a lot of the game making great cross-ice neutral zone passes to spring in his linemates for quality offensive looks. He was hard on the forecheck and very good in transition. I don’t think Kadri (48.96 per cent) had a great game, but he kept getting decent looks and chances because of his wingers strong play. Adam Klapka (43.64 per cent) had a strong start to the game. He was engaged physically all night and had a couple chances to flash his ability to handle the puck in tight spaces. He did commit a dumb penalty, but I’d rather the dumb penalty than no physicality at all.

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf does not get the blame for a 5-on-3 goal against – it’s my philosophy to try and never blame a goaltender In those situations because they weren’t the ones that put their team down two skaters. They can only do so much in those situations. Weegar accidentally sending Dubois a perfect drop pass leaves the goaltender with his limitations as well. Outside of those isolated incidents Wolf was his top of the league self. He did everything he could to help them try and win short of score the tying goals himself. 1.89 expected goals against at 5v5 with two getting behind him.