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Beyond the Boxscore: Flames take advantage of old pal Markstrom in 5-4 win over Devils
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Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Flash Stevens
Mar 13, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 13, 2026, 09:58 EDT
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The Calgary Flames kept their noses down and worked hard on their way to a 5-4 victory in New Jersey.
CF% – 48.18%|| SCF% – 42.47%|| HDCF% – 56.55%|| xGF% – 54.38%
It’s a Team Game – The New Jersey Devils started the game flying, spending a lot of time making Wolf work early. That only got amplified when Joel Hanley took a double minor for high sticking. Of course, going down a man has been great for the Flames of late. John Beecher was the beneficiary of the night, banking in a goal off old friend Jacob Markstrom to give the Flames a 3-2 lead by the end of the power play. The crucial 4th goal – the one that makes Calgary almost undefeatable by their record – was a pretty one by Yegor Sharangovich. Finally Backlund’s 600th career point would hold up as the game winner. They got out shot, out-possessed, and out skated but played well enough to earn a hard fought victory. 
Corsi King – Ryan Strome (59.80 CF%) led the way in just his fourth appearance as a Calgary Flame. He’s been fantastic at helping to generate offence since he’s arrived, officially up to 4 points in 4 games now. He does have the most points in his career up the middle of the ice – so it shouldn’t  be a shock the veteran centre still has some skill in that area. On defence the only 50%+ ratio was Yan Kuznetsov (56.96 per cent). He did get a couple shifts away from his partner, Hunter Brzustewicz (47.38 perc ent), which added a lot of chances into his night. Someone who’s been quiet lately, and had a difficult night, is Connor Zary (32.17 per cent). He was on fire before the Olympic break – really want him to find that fire again in the burst of all this offence. 
Under Pressure –
Taken By Chance – I should mention it was a decent outing from Victor Olofsson (16.90 SCF% // 56.24 HDCF%). He spent a fair bit of time in his own zone, but it never ended up being any significant time for the Devils. Rather, it did not lead to the Devils earning significant chances against while he was on the ice. Joel Farabee (55.81 per cent // 0 per cent) failed to keep his own hot streak running, being the only Flame to not be involved in any high danger chances. He only saw 1 go against him though, so not bad. It was not like Calgary dominated here, their old pal Jacob Markstrom decided to help them out with some very weak goals against. 
xG Breakdown –
xGF% – Time for a specific kid update – in this one that was just Matvei Gridin (61.08 per cent) who had the highest expected goals ratio (0.56 to 0.35) amongst all forwards. His ability to move off the wall in his own zone, catching the defender in a bad pinch before springing John Beecher (48.30 per cent) was a big help tonight. He continues to show flashes that suggest he already is the most skilled Flames forward in the lineup. Once he learns the pacing and familiarity with his teammates – plus adding some more elite talent in as it develops – I think his offence is ready to explode. Gridin has shown massive potential this year and I’m very excited to see him grow as a player. 
Game Flow –
Game Score –
Shot Heatmap –
In The Crease – Jacob Markstrom was horrible. I made a joke prior to puck drop that “first shot Markstrom” was going to help them out in this one, too bad it was the second shot. Dustin Wolf being sound kept Calgary in the lead all night long. He did have to make some fantastic saves when the  Devils extended their zone time, but it’s nothing he isn’t capable of handling. If the Devils got competent goaltending they more than likely win  this game, but they did not and it gives Calgary a decent moral victory down the stretch. 
The Goals –
Flash’s 3 Stars –
1) John Beecher
2) Matvei Gridin
3) Yan Kuznetsov
(Stats compiled from Naturalstattrick.com // Game Score from Hockeystatcards.com // xG and Under Pressure charts from HockeyViz.com // Game Flow and Shot Heatmap from NaturalStatTrick.com)
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