The Calgary Flames got some great goaltending and were able to leave Chicago victorious over the Blackhawks, winning 3-1.

It’s a Team Game – A hot start can do wonders for how you can approach the game, especially if the goaler is on top of things. Calgary fell behind early, but immediately answered the following shift before taking the lead – shorthanded – within 5 minutes of the last goal. After that the Flames were able to ride out the entire game by limiting defensive mishaps and Cooley being there when it mattered. Not the prettiest game, but the Flames aren’t the kind of team to have pretty wins with a lot of fancy goals or an up-tempo offensive attack. They will grind things out, win around half their games give or take a few depending on the year, and finish outside of the basement. Trading established roster pieces can, and will, affect that. Until that actually happens though this will remain a team that at least works their butts off every night – win or lose.

Corsi King – Matt Coronato (71.15 CF%) was at his best earlier in the year just dumping pucks on net from every angle, every chance he got. That’s not been in his game for a while, but lately he’s been significantly more productive. He’s still not quite at the age where I would require the offence runs through him when he’s on the ice, but it’s getting closer. While more production more consistently would be nice just having a solid game or two each week is a step in the right direction. Overall consistency from players like him and Connor Zary (60.58 per cent) is what I want to see right now. Credit to Zary for that, he’s been very good ever since he finally brooke out of his scoring funk and is working on any line right now.

Taken By Chance – Not everybody gets the title of “hard worker, every night”. Jonathan Huberdeau (0 SCF% // 0 HDCF%) remains in some kind of funk that is impossible to fix. There’s no chemistry with anyone and he’s not performing like one of the 12 best forwards this team could ice every night. His fall off from the start of December until now has been astronomical. He’s here – no matter what – for the foreseeable future so I can see the unfortunate predicament the Flames have found themselves in. I’m not even sure a coaching switch can fix this listless play we are getting from the veteran winger.

xGF% – What is the point of a fourth line if they are only going to play 5 minutes of hockey? Why are we giving a lineup spot to a veteran AHL player – who I have a lot of respect for – in the current state of things? Why can’t William Stromgren get into the lineup to showcase his skills more consistently? All things that come because the coach is still 100% fighting for the playoffs. No shot to Huska there, that’s the job and he keeps his eyes on the prize no matter what. I just disagree that these younger players hinder the lineup. They add an infusion of speed and energy this team needs most nights. Until Nazem Kadri (25.80 per cent) can figure out how to drive the bus again they need that kind of energy. Anyways, the xGoals fluctuated pretty heavy in this game because nobody gave up a ton or achieved a ton themselves. Fairly low event game which usually goes in the Flames favour.

In The Crease – I mention that Dustin Wolf won’t let the Flames finish at the bottom of the standings fairly consistently, but we need to say that about Devin Cooley as well. When the season started it was a dialogue about whether or not Cooley could showcase enough nightly to even stay in the NHL and now we’re at the point where I want to see him at least once every 2 weeks. Consistent excellence from Cooley who – with Wolf – is forming one of the better tandems in the league. Having him locked up for two more seasons is a great thing, as this team starts adding faster, youthful talent to the lineup (Parekh, Reschny, Potter, etc.) they’ll be able to give him the goal support to really start racking up some Ws.

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