The Calgary Flames came off the break flat-footed and struggling to generate 5v5 offence against the San Jose Sharks – despite the struggles the Flames prevailed 3-2 in regulation.

It’s a Team Game – It wasn’t a bad start for the Calgary Flames, they grabbed the puck and tried to attack early. However, it wasn’t just luck that after all that pressure Macklin Celebrini was that alone in front. Nazem Kadri left his man in pursuit of an early jump through the neutral zone, and it cost the Flames. He would redeem himself within five minutes after scoring on their first powerplay, but it’s a mistake that can’t happen. Calgary’s pressure peaked with the fourth line finally getting a goal – something that’s a rarity for them. Afterwards San Jose would take command and keep the pressure up on the Flames right through until the deep third. Dustin Wolf was his usual self – keeping the Flames right there against the 15-win San Jose Sharks. Joel Hanley would find an unlikely goal to propel Calgary to the win in the end, saving them from a home ice loss against the NHL’s 32nd-ranked team.

Corsi King – It was not a well-paced game for Calgary – the seemed to lose momentum as the game got later. Their 1-2-2 trap in the neutral zone would work if the Flames had the speed and puck skill to capitalize on turnovers in transition, but that just has not been there all season. Jake Bean (60.37 CF%) and Brayden Pachal (58.62 per cent) ended up the top of the shot attempt leaderboard. Nobody was able to have a large positive disparity in this game, which is not what I would have expected going in. I thought chemistry was off for every line except for Sharangovich (55.51 per cent) and the new guys from Philadelphia.

Taken By Chance – Rasmus Andersson (42.75 SCF% || 40.39 HDCF%) was back from the 4 Nations Face-Off and up to his usual ways. Still one of the best at the team in the offensive zone but has to find some way to limit giving up seven high danger chances at 5v5. I thought Solovyov did a great job physically and many of the leaks came from Andersson’s side of the ice – they need more from him on the upcoming road trip. The entire team was struggling to protect the front of the net before the break – last night was not any different. More support from wingers, better box outs from the defenceman, and the centres can’t lose their guy.

xGF% – MacKenzie Weegar (64.47 per cent) continues to be a rock. When I talk about the team needing to improve in their own end, I do not usually want Weegar to be included under that umbrella. I’ve never had to worry about Mikael Backlund (38.86 per cent) until recently. His last two weeks before the break and tonight Backlund has been subpar at helping in his own zone. Things do not look like they are at their best – this road trip coming up is against the best of the league. With where Calgary sits in the standings this road trip will give them a clear direction for the Trade Deadline. If they play like they did in this one against Florida or Tampa Bay, the Flames are in big trouble.

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf is still the reason the Flames can win any game, no matter how the team is playing in front of him. After the first draft under Conroy looks to be off to an early success (Battaglia, Mews, Parekh, etc.) I feel the Flames will be able to build a contender with him in the crease. It’s very intriguing to think about the places he can aspire to when you remind yourself he’s only 23 years old. 2.24 expected goals against with two 5v5 goals getting behind him. Two 5v5 goals is very rare for Dustin Wolf.