The Calgary Flames did a good job at pushing the pace in Tampa Bay but could not solve Andrei Vasilevskiy, getting shut out in a 3-0 loss.

It’s a Team Game – It was another quality start to the game with the Flames getting pucks in deep early and trying to establish a hard forecheck. It did fade away in the second half of the first period, but the Nikita Kucherov goal was not a result of weakened play rather just some bad luck. The first intermission would fix the timid play because from that point on Calgary was the team dominating the attack. More high danger chances, more time of possession, better quality of looks – but the two-time Stanley Cup Champion goaltender in the other crease was on the top of his game. A Hall of Fame goaltender robbing wins is going to happen.

Corsi King – The entire team gets some praise from me – I thought everyone had their feet moving and was engaged all night long. Players are doing what their told – sometimes that means lightening up on the forecheck and 1-2-2 trapping the neutral zone. Not my favourite type of hockey to watch – I’m more inclined to enjoy a heavy two-man forecheck that forces turnovers – but I can’t critique the effort from this one or Washington. San Jose ended up as a wake-up-call out of the break. The Flames got lucky to take those points because games like this – where I fully believed they deserved the win – can happen on any given night down the stretch. Top forward in shot attempts was easily Nazem Kadri (69.06 per cent) who managed to be out for 28 attempts for in just 14:37 of 5v5 ice time. For the defence it was Ilya Solovyov (66.31 per cent) a player who is making it be known he can be very effective with the 3^rd pair rock Brayden Pachal (60.41 per cent). Two sizeable, mobile defencemen with a great reach – hard to play against.

Taken By Chance – Finally an influx in chances from Rasmus Andersson (63.90 SCF% || 67.33 HDCF%). I’ve been waiting for him to come back – two games in to Kevin Bahl’s (56.87 per cent || 60.62 per cent) is a great sign. I know they lost this one, but this is the type of momentum I want to see reflected in the numbers. I want more high danger chances per game than shots blocked per game – show me you spend the majority of your time in the attacking zone. That’s the best defence, and it might help them find this offence they so desperately continue to chase. Shoutout to Matt Coronato (59.19 per cent || 60.92 per cent) the single best Flame at finding open space in the attacking zone and letting it rip. A lot of veteran forwards aren’t contributing lower in the lineup, having Coronato produce at least 3+ high danger opportunities per game, regardless of linemates, has been great to see. His first 20 goal season is on the horizon (currently has 15).

xGF% – Expected goals are a great tell for who had an advantage in the quality of opportunities in a match – but they don’t outweigh the actual goals. Calgary usually struggles to get the quality advantage to this level, so I do consider that a win especially considering the quality of opponent. Regardless of whatever moral victories I can find the simple fact remains the Calgary Flames can barely score goals. The shooting talent and finishing ability on this roster in the 2024-25 season has been beyond abysmal. Whether it’s from veteran players taking a predictable step back after a career year like Blake Coleman (54.12 per cent) or a rookie who has displayed flashes but has also suffered a significant injury like Connor Zary (60.77 per cent), almost the entire roster has been handcuffed offensively. They do not have anyone they can trust to produce a goal – from shooting it or making a great pass – in any given game. It’s not on any one player in that category. When it’s the entire team struggling to that level the eyes start to look elsewhere in the organization for answers.

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf only was scored on at 5v5 once. He had been quite diligent until Cernak scored, the Kucherov goal was a fluke bounce almost nobody would be prepared for. Dustin Wolf has already hit the territory where he is never the problem. He did more than enough to earn his team two points – the offence has to improve so they can support this amazing potential n display nightly. He will never let them fall into a major draft pick – the Flames will have to trade for one or be extremely savvy with their draft picks. 1.11 expected gals against at 5v5 with just the one goal against.

ERROR: NO GOALS FOUND