The Minnesota Wild gave a last-minute valiant push in the waning minutes of the game, but the Calgary Flames were able to hold on for the 5-4 victory.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
CF% &#8211; 58.21%|| SCF% &#8211; 47.13%|| HDCF% &#8211; 51.45%|| xGF% &#8211; 52.93%
It’s a Team Game – I was expecting more out of the Minnesota Wild for most of the game. Calgary was able to keep things even until the second period where they started to surge in chances and possession. That lasted into the third period until the game became a scoring free-for-all. Goals from unlikely contributors in Wranglers captain Clark Bishop and Andrei Kuzmenko (at 5v5!) helped get them enough for the win. A nice change of pace for a team that usually only wins the game if their opponent scores less then 3 goals. Calgary’s on a nice pace right now and playoffs are once again well within sight. The downturn after losing two in St. Louis has already been overcome as the Flames keep working their way towards the postseason
Corsi King – Mackenzie Weegar (74.41 CF%) has been a real driver of positive possession lately. No matter whether his partner is Joel Hanley (45.95 per cent) or Daniil Miromanov (73.19 per cent). He keeps his mojo no matter who is next to him – I wonder if he could handle carrying a younger player in the near future. He seems to be able to play a positive game with anybody. The Backlund (65.00 per cent) line also led the way with over 23 total attempts and seeing less than 12 against. Good to have them back on a hot streak – it got a little cold around Christmas for them.
Under Pressure &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138184" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SP.png" alt="" width="1083" height="1827" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SP.png 1083w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SP-178x300.png 178w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SP-607x1024.png 607w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SP-768x1296.png 768w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SP-911x1536.png 911w" sizes="(max-width: 1083px) 100vw, 1083px" />
Taken By Chance – Daniil Miromanov (66.16 SCF% || 100 HDCF%) was out for 4 high danger chances for and none against at 5v5. He’s been a lot better after spending a few games in a row in the press box rather than in the lineup. Another blueliner finally found the scoresheet again for the first time in a while. Rasmus Andersson (26.60 per cent || 37.82 per cent) got to do another stare down of an opposing fan – one of the best parts of being a Flames fan this year. Unfortunately, he and Bahl (0 per cent || 0 per cent) have not been playing particularly well against their competition. The shine on how great Bahl was playing to start the year has rusted off – splitting them up to see new combinations doesn’t seem in the cards, but something needs to be done to spark a more complete game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The staredowns continue! 😂
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Q7TfpxBBt">pic.twitter.com/4Q7TfpxBBt</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883333114149404821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
xG Breakdown &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138185" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG2.png" alt="" width="902" height="1142" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG2.png 902w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG2-237x300.png 237w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG2-809x1024.png 809w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG2-768x972.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 902px) 100vw, 902px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138186" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG1.png" alt="" width="691" height="788" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG1.png 691w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG1-263x300.png 263w" sizes="(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px" />
xGF% &#8211; Jonathan Huberdeau (59.84 per cent) and Nazem Kadri (54.59 per cent) may not have scored but they still produced a decent amount of offence. Pelletier (55.05 per cent) has been a nice fit next to them and it helps that Pospisil (38.65 per cent) also found success in this game with a goal and an assist on his new line. New lines sparked some more offence, exactly what Calgary needed. The Wild, in my opinion, were sleeping for a lot of the night – not playing anywhere near their top level as they are now in a slump losing 5 of 6. Marco Rossi led a bit of a comeback in the third, but Kuzmenko (46.47 per cent) finally came in clutch and put the Flames in the win column.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
What a tilt between Ryan Lomberg and Jakub Lauko!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/kFfg2xPc27">pic.twitter.com/kFfg2xPc27</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883326882634141979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Game Flow – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138187" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-GF.png 751w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-GF-300x140.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px" />
Game Score –
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
NHL GameScore Impact Card for Calgary Flames on 2025-01-25: <a href="https://t.co/THlYbB12jO">pic.twitter.com/THlYbB12jO</a>
&mdash; HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) <a href="https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1883349989499273677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Shot Heatmap – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138188" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SH.png 803w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SH-300x158.png 300w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SH-768x404.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px" />
In The Crease – It’s a very rare night for Dustin Wolf where he let in more than the number of expected goals he faced at 5v5. It’s been weeks since the last time that happened. 1.78 goals against with just two getting behind him even up – as well as one power play goal and a 6-on-5 goal. He had things in control until late when the Wild really picked up things on their side. It’s hard to spend 50 minutes playing at one pace and then kicking things into a higher gear out of nowhere. Regardless that’s win number 18 for Dustin Wolf – here’s hoping he makes it to 30.
The Goals &#8211; 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
Andrei Kuzmenko scores on the power play! The Flames take an early lead! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/9dV4Q52Jrf">pic.twitter.com/9dV4Q52Jrf</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883311737342214636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
Martin Pospisil doesn&#39;t give up on the play and he scores his first goal in 25 games! 
It&#39;s 2-1 Flames! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/xdVMA4TP8z">pic.twitter.com/xdVMA4TP8z</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883328097426272338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
Rasmus Andersson rips a one timer past Marc-Andre Fleury! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/721hdbMZKI">pic.twitter.com/721hdbMZKI</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883332450891559185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
Clark Bishop scores his first goal as a Calgary Flame!! That&#39;s his first NHL goal in 2,242 days! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/ObKvmGKn5N">pic.twitter.com/ObKvmGKn5N</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883342639116030010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
Andrei Kuzmenko scores a beautiful wraparound goal! That&#39;s Kuzmenko&#39;s 2nd goal of the game! 
It&#39;s 5-2 Flames! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/zBU8EoQz2j">pic.twitter.com/zBU8EoQz2j</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883344205764018582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Flash’s 3 Stars – 
1) Andrei Kuzmenko
2) Daniil Miromanov
3) Martin Pospisil
(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)
Sponsored by bet365:
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The Minnesota Wild gave a last-minute valiant push in the waning minutes of the game, but the Calgary Flames were able to hold on for the 5-4 victory.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
CF% - 58.21%|| SCF% - 47.13%|| HDCF% - 51.45%|| xGF% - 52.93%

It’s a Team Game – I was expecting more out of the Minnesota Wild for most of the game. Calgary was able to keep things even until the second period where they started to surge in chances and possession. That lasted into the third period until the game became a scoring free-for-all. Goals from unlikely contributors in Wranglers captain Clark Bishop and Andrei Kuzmenko (at 5v5!) helped get them enough for the win. A nice change of pace for a team that usually only wins the game if their opponent scores less then 3 goals. Calgary’s on a nice pace right now and playoffs are once again well within sight. The downturn after losing two in St. Louis has already been overcome as the Flames keep working their way towards the postseason

Corsi King – Mackenzie Weegar (74.41 CF%) has been a real driver of positive possession lately. No matter whether his partner is Joel Hanley (45.95 per cent) or Daniil Miromanov (73.19 per cent). He keeps his mojo no matter who is next to him – I wonder if he could handle carrying a younger player in the near future. He seems to be able to play a positive game with anybody. The Backlund (65.00 per cent) line also led the way with over 23 total attempts and seeing less than 12 against. Good to have them back on a hot streak – it got a little cold around Christmas for them.

Under Pressure - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138184" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SP.png" alt="" width="1083" height="1827" />

Taken By Chance – Daniil Miromanov (66.16 SCF% || 100 HDCF%) was out for 4 high danger chances for and none against at 5v5. He’s been a lot better after spending a few games in a row in the press box rather than in the lineup. Another blueliner finally found the scoresheet again for the first time in a while. Rasmus Andersson (26.60 per cent || 37.82 per cent) got to do another stare down of an opposing fan – one of the best parts of being a Flames fan this year. Unfortunately, he and Bahl (0 per cent || 0 per cent) have not been playing particularly well against their competition. The shine on how great Bahl was playing to start the year has rusted off – splitting them up to see new combinations doesn’t seem in the cards, but something needs to be done to spark a more complete game.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1883333114149404821?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

xG Breakdown - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138185" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG2.png" alt="" width="902" height="1142" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138186" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-xG1.png" alt="" width="691" height="788" />

xGF% - Jonathan Huberdeau (59.84 per cent) and Nazem Kadri (54.59 per cent) may not have scored but they still produced a decent amount of offence. Pelletier (55.05 per cent) has been a nice fit next to them and it helps that Pospisil (38.65 per cent) also found success in this game with a goal and an assist on his new line. New lines sparked some more offence, exactly what Calgary needed. The Wild, in my opinion, were sleeping for a lot of the night – not playing anywhere near their top level as they are now in a slump losing 5 of 6. Marco Rossi led a bit of a comeback in the third, but Kuzmenko (46.47 per cent) finally came in clutch and put the Flames in the win column.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1883326882634141979?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

Game Flow – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138187" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" />

Game Score –

[embed]https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1883349989499273677?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

Shot Heatmap – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-138188" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/G47-vs-MIN-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" />

In The Crease – It’s a very rare night for Dustin Wolf where he let in more than the number of expected goals he faced at 5v5. It’s been weeks since the last time that happened. 1.78 goals against with just two getting behind him even up – as well as one power play goal and a 6-on-5 goal. He had things in control until late when the Wild really picked up things on their side. It’s hard to spend 50 minutes playing at one pace and then kicking things into a higher gear out of nowhere. Regardless that’s win number 18 for Dustin Wolf – here’s hoping he makes it to 30.

The Goals - 

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1883311737342214636?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1883328097426272338?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1883332450891559185?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1883342639116030010?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1883344205764018582?s=61&amp;t=0vn2omTdvdGDNlb1j9cAeQ[/embed]

Flash’s 3 Stars – 

1) Andrei Kuzmenko

2) Daniil Miromanov

3) Martin Pospisil

(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)

Sponsored by bet365:
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Zayne Parekh skates in the neutral zone in the Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers game at the 2024 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, BC.

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Calgary Flames center Martin Pospisil (76) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Minnesota Wild in the second period at Xcel Energy Center.

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