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Beyond the Boxscore: Flames fourth line rises to occasion in 2-1 win over San Jose

Photo credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

By Flash Stevens

Nov 3, 2026, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 3, 2026, 02:00 EST

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The Calgary Flames played a start to finish quality road game earning the win 2-1 over the San Jose Sharks.

CF% – 43.46% || SCF% – 49.23% || HDCF% – 52.96% || xGF% – 54.24%

It’s a Team Game – They’re calling it the Adam Klapka game, and by they, I mean I’m calling it that. A couple of highlight reel offensive plays from the 4th line winger ended up being enough to get the victory against the Sharks. It even led to William Stromgren scoring his first in the NHL too, just to add some more feelgood to the moment. It was needed too, as the Sharks were aggressive and had a strong 5v5 attack. They didn’t find the best look every shift, but they frequently set up shop in the Flames defending zone. Celebrini was particularly effective at getting the puck and keeping possession, but thanks to great plays (quite a few from Jacob Middleton) and solid goaltending, it was enough. The team continues to play a style of hockey that keeps guys fresh with ice time allocations while cycling between pressuring for turnovers and hanging back to make life difficult in the neutral zone. The more they play like this the better it looks.

Corsi King – The pairing of Kevin Bahl (25.38 CF%) and Simon Nemec (35.32%) ended up struggling the most. They surrendered the one goal against and were on the wrong side of possession frequently. That’ll happen – it was admirable considering the quality of talent they were facing, still a rough night. Mikael Backlund (37.10 CF%) also had to deal with the Sharks wonder kids, and he never surrendered a goal against. Throw in the PK work and I would say tonight went alright. As alright as it can, spending more time in your own end than attacking.

Under Pressure –

Taken By Chance – I want to throw some love Jacob Middleton’s (48.69 SCF% // 62.63 HDCF%) way because I noticed him defensively multiple times in this game. Making great plays to either get in the way of the puck or to whack it away from the opposition while sending it up the ice. It was good looks from him all night long, a real work boots style of game that paid off. I also saw Matvei Gridin (55.05% // 71.52%) trying to make things happen in the attacking zone. He’s back to trying to drive the crease from every angle and doing what he can to find space to create goals. It didn’t work out tonight, but the effort was still there.

xG Breakdown –

xGF% – More Klapka flowers, because in his limited minutes he absolutely crushed the competition. I also love the pest mentality he’s taken on because what is anybody going to do to stop Klapka? He got some crosschecks from some angry Sharks and it barely phased him. Then, if you turn it over, he’s got decent enough hands paired with a shot to make the opposition pay. He’s really solidified himself this season as the everyday fourth line guy, no need to sit him down when he’s making stuff happen every night – scoreboard or otherwise. On the same line, William Stromgren (85.85%) got his first career goal whacking the puck out of mid-air. Stromgren was my pick for extra forward out of training camp (cutting Pachal then, instead of later) so I’m excited to see him do so well in his first game of the year. If he can prove he’s ready to be an everyday player I would absolutely love to see more game reps invested in him (a possible piece for the future) instead of Tsyplakov. Who to his credit has been better, but has yet to truly standout on a consistent basis.

Let’s round out the fourth line talk with Jonathan Castagna (55.46%) who continues to play with both physicality and pace. It would take a long inconsistency stretch at this point for him to ever be pulled from the lineup. Fully earned his everyday spot, by October, in his first full shot at an NHL season. Impressive.

Game Flow –

Shot Heatmap –

In The Crease – Dustin Wolf winning in the state of California is awesome. Nothing like coming back into a place close(ish) to home to put up a quality performance. The Sharks top players got their looks, Wolf had the answers. 1.67 expected goals at 5v5, with the 1 goal against. He is playing above the median his last couple of starts – an awesome sign to see. I think a quality Wolf run would put a lot of things at ease, and if for some reason struggles arise you’ll eventually have Cooley back to lean on while he figures out how to get back to his peak form from his rookie year. The talent is there, and the Flames have the luxury of time.

The Goals –

Robert Munnich

@Robert_Munnich

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🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥 Adam Klapka opens the scoring with his third goal of the season! 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames

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2:37 AM · Nov 3, 2026

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