Team

Betting

FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA

Beyond the Boxscore: Matvei Gridin snipes two as Flames take down visiting Leafs

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

By Flash Stevens

Oct 27, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 27, 2026, 10:21 EDT

Comments

The Calgary Flames youth movement struck big to silence the Leafs fans in the Saddledome, defeating Toronto by a score of 5-2.

CF% – 67.94% || SCF% – 58.19% || HDCF% – 47.22% || xGF% – 59.53%

It’s a Team Game – From the drop of the puck to the final horn the Calgary Flames played their best game of the season, hands down. All four lines, all three pairs, and the goaltender combined for an impressive effort against a team fresh off a big win in Edmonton and on their own 4-game win streak. They were exceptional transitioning in the neutral zone (I am loving them ripping it across the ice when the lane is open) and pounced over the turnovers they created all night long. When the third hit and Nylander got a friendly bounce to get the score close the Flames got on their heels – but only for a little bit. Whenever they did falter they had the hottest goaltender in the league – Devin Cooley – back there to make highlight reel stops. Top to bottom great performance.

Corsi King – Martin Pospisil (87.26 CF%) was noticeable everywhere. He makes the cross ice rip to get Gridin the puck on one of his goals, and then was ready to stand up for Aydar Suniev (77.49%) after Easton Cowan couldn’t handle taking a hard hit from him and drug him down from behind. It all got topped off when he earned his empty net goal. A productive night for the Flames newest pivot. To put into perspective how well Calgary did in the shot share, I’ll show you the defenceman with the lowest percentage – that was Simon Nemec (57.18%) and he was tremendous too. There were some unreal passes that came off his stick that either could not be deflected right or the receiver wasn’t ready for it. He also got rewarded for a good game with an empty net assist.

Under Pressure –

Taken By Chance – Zach Whitecloud (72.32 SCF% // 80.34 HDCF%) and Jake Middleton (67.23% // 66.94%) i’ll be honest I did not see them active in the attacking zone a lot, but they sure were great limiting things in their own end. It’s not much of a coincidence that the winning coincides with these two becoming one pairing while Yan Kuznetsov (63.57% // 59.76%) and Zayne Parekh (63.06% // 57.29%) became the other. More complementary styles and habits made for more success (Devin Cooley playing out of his mind helps too). Zayne Parekh looks better, and better, and better every single game. His passing ability is already some of the best on the team and he has the power play as a top 5 unit in the league. The breakout is coming, and the Flames have nothing but time to let him develop.

xG Breakdown –

xGF% – We need to address the Griddy in the room (as a diehard Vikings fan that celebration was extra fantastic). Matvei Gridin (78.67 xGF%) had that Russian superstar swagger out post-game and it was beyond deserved. Two absolute snipes, the first one from a near impossible angle into the tiniest of openings above Bobrovsky’s shoulder. He drove the bus tonight – generating speed through the neutral zone then charging the crease after entering the zone with possession. They were low percentage shot attempts, but with an above average shot and ridiculous release that did not matter. He silenced the invasive blue jerseys and sent the Flames fans home happy.

Game Flow –

Shot Heatmap –

In The Crease – Another highlight reel save came from Devin Cooley, getting a toe on what looked like a sure goal. He also pulled the “Fleury dive” save that Marc-Andre used to win his first cup with the Penguins, throwing his entire body to the right of his crease to get in the way of another prime shot attempt from Toronto. His reaction when he screwed up and played the puck outside the trapezoid was great as well. He has me screaming “I love our unconscious goalie” in the stands regularly and has drug Calgary back from a very dark start to the season. 1,71 expected goals against at 5v5 with 2 getting by him, but a spectacular special teams (PK) performance made it even better.

The Goals –

Robert Munnich

@Robert_Munnich

·Follow

What a shot 🔥 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames

Watch on X

1:00 AM · Oct 27, 2026

226

Read 6 replies

Robert Munnich

@Robert_Munnich

·Follow

🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥 Mikael Backlund scores in his return to the lineup! Great work by Joel Farabee to turn that puck over. 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames

Watch on X

1:05 AM · Oct 27, 2026

BARN BURNER TAKES ON MONTREAL. BON VOYAGE, BABY!

We’re taking this show on the road — and you’re invited.

From January 22–24, 2027, join Barn Burner for a hockey weekend in one of the most iconic hockey cities in the world, presented by McLeod Law. Expect hockey, good times and a whole lot of Barn Burner energy.

Pack your bags, rally the crew and get ready to bring the heat to Montreal. Travel packages are available now, but spots are limited!

Book your Barn Burner Vacation today at nationexperiences.ca.