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Instant Reaction: Flames overcome Kraken with third period push
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Ryan Pike
Dec 18, 2025, 23:41 ESTUpdated: Dec 19, 2025, 00:12 EST
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Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! 
The Calgary Flames returned home on Thursday evening to host the Seattle Kraken. The Flames peppered the Kraken net with pucks for much of the game, but Seattle managed to keep the Flames to the outside and really dangerous chances to a minimum for a good chunk of this game.
But eventually, the Flames wore down Seattle’s defences and were able to cash in on some quality shots. Two third period goals – one on the power play and one off a great rush play – were the difference-maker, bolstered by an empty-netter, in a 4-2 Flames victory over Seattle.

The rundown

Neither team scored a goal in the opening period, though they both had their looks. In terms of puck possession, the Flames dominated at points, but the Kraken had the more dangerous chances.
First period shots were 18-6 Flames. Via Natural Stat Trick, 5v5 scoring chances were 6-6 and high-danger scoring chances were 3-1 Kraken.
After some chances back and forth, the Kraken opened the scoring midway through the second period. Off a speedy zone entry, the Kraken forwards found gaps in the Flames’ coverage and an Eeli Tolvanen pass was received and quickly shot past Dustin Wolf by Chandler Stephenson to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.
But a couple minutes later, the Flames responded back. Rasmus Andersson did the simple thing and threw the puck towards the net-front area, with the puck bonking off Mikael Backlund’s skates and into the Kraken net past Joey Daccord. That tied the game at 1-1.
Later in the second period, Seattle retook the lead. With Jonathan Huberdeau in the box for goaltender interference, Seattle’s second unit broke through, with a Ryker Evans puck towards the net-front redirected by Kaapo Kakko past Wolf to give the Kraken a 2-1 advantage.
Second period shots were 13-12 Kraken. 5v5 scoring chances were 10-9 Flames and high-danger scoring chances were 5-3 Flames.
The Flames had a pair of power plays around the midway point of the third period, and they cashed in on their second advantage. Andersson teed up a one-timer feed for Nazem Kadri, and he blasted the puck stick-side past Daccord to tie the game at 2-2.
1:15 later, the Flames grabbed the lead. Andersson sent Matt Coronato in on the rush with a nice pass and Coronato beat Daccord glove-side to give the Flames a 3-2 lead.
The Kraken pulled Daccord for the extra attacker with 2:21 left in regulation.
Joel Farabee blocked a shot with his hand late and Backlund went the other way to score an empty-netter to give the Flames a 4-2 victory.
Third period shots were 14-4 Flames. 5v5 scoring chances were 2-2 and high-danger scoring chances were 1-1.

Why the Flames won

On Tuesday night in San Jose, the Flames had oodles of power play time but didn’t seem to do a whole lot with it. Especially at key times. On Thursday evening, the Flames had 11 shots on their power play and with the game up for grabs, the power play was a difference-maker for them.
If you want to quibble: yeah, the Flames put a ton of rubber on Joey Daccord at even strength, but they arguably lacked ample high-danger chances: Daccord saw a lot of their initial shots, and hardly had to deal with many deflections or screens. But hey, it was enough for them to get two points.

Red Warrior

Rasmus Andersson had three primary assists in this game, and they were all very nice assists.

Turning point

With the chance to grab momentum with a mid-period power play, the Flames finally hit paydirt and tied the game. 75 seconds later they grabbed the lead and held on for the victory.

This and that

The Flames had new power play units for this game:
  • Unit 1 featured Andersson, Huberdeau, Kadri, Sharangovich and Klapka
  • Unit 2 featured Weegar, Frost, Zary, Coleman and Coronato
The Flames set a season high for shots on goal with 46.
Michela Sheedy was joined by the Renfrew Kids Choir for the Canadian anthem and it was pretty cool. We need to have more choirs performing before hockey games.
Tate McRae was at the game! (For the jersey fans, she was wearing a Matthew Tkachuk reverse retro, by the looks of it.)

After Burner

Join Cami Kepke and Robert Munnich right after the game for After Burner!

Up next

The Flames (14-17-4) are back in action on Saturday night when they host the Vegas Golden Knights in the late game on Hockey Night in Canada.

This article is brought to you by Platinum Mitsubishi

This article is a Presentation of Platinum Mitsubishi, family owned and operated by lifelong Calgarians. Home of the best warranty in the business with ten year warranties available. Check out the showroom at 2720 Barlow Trail NE or online at www.mitsu.ca

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