Things got bad in a hurry for the Calgary Flames in a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It’s a Team Game – Do not let those large numbers deceive you, they are strictly because Calgary had to sell out on their defence in the third period and were able to accumulate 14 high danger chances (as per NaturalStatTrick). Sure, that’s nice and all, but not going down 4-0 halfway into the first period is an even better strategy. You are hoping to get some more saves out of your starting goaltender, but Dustin Wolf did not have it in this one. Cooley came in and gave some solid relief, the Flames kept pressing an average amount until the third period, and it wasn’t nearly enough to earn a win. After getting 3 victories in a row the Flames promptly got set back down and reminded of where they are in the standings.

Corsi King – Jonathan Huberdeau (66.53 CF%) and his trio all saw less than 10 shot attempts go against them. Pretty good to average less than one shot attempt against every minute of 5v5 play. Yan Kuznetsov (60.40 per cent) continues on in his rapid ascension from waivers worthy to stable top 4 defenceman. Someone could have had him for free because the Flames coaching staff wanted to keep Daniil Miromanov. I won’t be letting that one go anytime soon – stark reminder that the way this team evaluates functional talent can be extremely flawed at times.

Taken By Chance – Flowers to Yegor Sharangovich (81.51 SCF% // 86.74 HDCF%) for his 14-2 high danger chance difference. Calgary poured it on both early and late in the third period, Sharangovich was right in the middle of it all. After a dominant stretch where he wound up as first star of the week for the entire NHL, Rasmus Andersson (20.91 per cent // 23.76 per cent) had a bit of a stinker. Based on the current body of work it does not concern me, it just sucks the hot streak came crashing to a halt.

xGF% – Will the old Connor Zary (73.32 per cent) continue to stay standing? One goal to break the spell and he’s back to his old creative self. It helps with the two reliable guys next to him in Backlund (63.34 per cent) and Coleman (66.18 per cent) he can comfortably take a few more risks. He got a shorthanded assist, John Beecher (45.05 per cent) did, but there’s still more to be desired on my front. Still haven’t seen him use his size to create much offence in his 5v5 minutes but based on who they have under contract why not give him a bit more of a go. You’re dead last in the NHL, trying anything new literally can’t hurt you more.

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf got beat early and from distance. Him getting pulled was the right call and he needs to be better for them to live up to Don Maloney’s dream of making the playoffs. I want to make the playoffs too, I just want to do it for a decade without worry, ideally. Devin Cooley was fine in relief. If the wins are going to come those mid-to-long range unscreened goals have to stop. High danger goals I always accept, but if you can see It and get to it, you should stop it.

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