The Calgary Flames returned to action after three days, hosting the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. The Flames seemed to be fighting it a bit in terms of execution for the first half of this game, but they managed to force overtime with a pretty good third period.

In a game that required a shootout, the Flames beat the Islanders by a 2-1 score.

The opening period saw both teams look a bit tentative. Both had some decent runs of puck possession, but neither team got a ton of great scoring opportunities. Neither team scored a goal.

First period shots were 8-7 Flames. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 10-4 Flames (high-dangers were 4-2 Flames).

The Islanders got some possession in the Flames’ zone early in the second period and managed to capitalize. With the Flames a bit flat-footed and running around, the Islanders moved the puck well and opened up some lanes. Finally, Pierre Engvall toe-dragged around Daniil Miromanov (who knelt down to block a shot) and fired the puck over Dustin Wolf’s shoulder to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Second period shots were 8-7 Islanders. Five-on-five scoring chances were 9-5 Flames (high-dangers were 5-1 Flames).

Andrei Kuzmenko was hauled down off an offensive zone face-off, giving the Flames a power play and a chance to tie the game. And what do you know? They tied the game. The second unit engaged in some really nice, quick, simple puck movement, and Rasmus Andersson blasted a point shot past Semyon Varlamov to tie the game up at 1-1.

Both teams pressed for a second goal in regulation, but neither could bury anything, as both netminders stood tall.

Third period shots were 14-13 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances were 11-7 Islanders (high-dangers were 4-2 Islanders).

Overtime went back and forth. Mikael Backlund was called for tripping with just over a minute left in extra time. The Islanders got a couple great chances on the man advantage, but couldn’t beat Wolf.

This game required a shootout to determine a winner. Andrei Kuzmenko and Justin Kirkland scored for the Flames, while Dustin Wolf shut the door, and the Flames won 2-1.

There were two games this season – against Vegas and Utah – where the Flames looked equal out-matched and out-worked. This wasn’t that. The Flames worked, but it just seemed like their execution was off for much of the evening. Case in point: they had a pretty big advantage in high-danger scoring chances (12-7)… and missed and blocked shots (a combined 40-22). They got enough big saves to keep this game close, though, and then managed to find their execution in the shootout.

Let’s go with Wolf. He was really good over the first two periods, and then he was excellent early in the third period when the Islanders were pressing for an insurance marker.

Honourable mention to Matt Coronato, who was playing his hometown team for the first time in the NHL and really looked energized.

The Flames’ power play has been bad this year, and it’s hurt them in games. On this occasion, though, it was a big positive. Midway through the third period, their power play scored and tied the game.

The Flames dropped their 41st consecutive game to the Townsend Tigers on Monday afternoon, dropping a 10-3 outing in wheelchair hockey at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. We don’t think too many fans will be too upset about this streak, though.

The Flames wore their black third jerseys in this game.

The Flames (10-6-3) are back in action on Thursday night against beloved former Flames prospect Adam Fox and the New York Rangers.