On Thursday night, the Calgary Flames were not particularly good in an 8-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. On Saturday night, they were much, much better as they hosted the Florida Panthers.

The Flames played well, battled well and got timely goals and saves en route to a 3-0 victory over the Panthers.

The opening period was pretty back and forth, but midway through the frame the Flames opened the scoring. The Flames lost an offensive zone draw and the Panthers prepared to transition the puck up ice. But Nazem Kadri forechecked hard, stole the puck from Dmitry Kulikov, and had a ton of time and space to manuever in close against Spencer Knight. Kadri deked Knight out, then slid the puck past him to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.

First period shots were 8-5 Panthers. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 7-4 Flames (high-danger chances were 2-2).

The Flames put two pucks past Knight in the second period, though only one of them counted on the scoresheet.

Midway through the period, Matt Coronato blasted a puck on net. Knight made the save, but the rebound ricocheted into the slot, where Backlund booted it into the open net. It was a pretty distinct kicking motion and upon a brief review, the goal was called off.

Late in the period, though, the Flames scored one that counted. The Backlund line engaged in a battle in the neutral zone for a loose puck. The Flames came away with it, with Matt Coronato leading a rush into the zone, then sliding a pass to Blake Coleman. Coleman’s shot beat Knight five-hole to make it 2-0 Flames.

Second period shots were 14-9 Panthers. Five-on-five scoring chances were 7-6 Panthers (high-danger chances were 3-2 Flames).

Dustin Wolf made a big save on Sam Bennett on a breakaway a few minutes into the third period.

A little bit later, the Flames got some additional breathing room on the scoreboard. Backlund fired a shot from the far side of the Panthers zone – the far edge of the face-off circles to Knight’s right – and his shot eluded Knight’s glove hand to give the home side a 3-0 lead.

The Panthers had some looks from there on out, but the Flames did a good job defending and skated to a 3-0 victory.

Third period shots were 13-10 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances were 10-3 Panthers (high-danger chances were 6-1 Panthers).

The Flames played their type of game. This was a structured, organized three periods of hockey. When the Panthers pressed, the Flames stood firm. The Panthers have definitely played better games, but the Flames were up for the challenge on this occasion and deserved the two points.

Let’s give it jointly to the Backlund line. Backlund and Coleman both scored goals, while Coronato was really active throughout this game.

But a lot of players wearing red jerseys had good evenings. Let’s give a shout-out to Wolf for 32 saves for his second career NHL shutout.

Coleman’s insurance marker late in the second period provided the Flames with much-needed breathing room.

And let’s not discount Wolf’s stop on Bennett, which maintained the Flames’ two-goal lead.

MacKenzie Weegar played his 500th NHL game, while defensive partner Joel Hanley played his 200th NHL game.

Devin Cooley dressed as backup behind Dustin Wolf, with Dan Vladar out day-to-day with an injury.

The Flames (15-11-5) are back in action on Tuesday when they welcome the Boston Bruins to town.