With their first shot of the game, the Washington Capitals strike early with a goal from Pierre-Luc Dubois. 📹: Sportsnet
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Instant Reaction: Flames shut down Ovechkin, but can’t beat Capitals
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
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 welcomed the Washington Capitals to town for the one and only time in 2024-25. The good news: Alex Ovechkin did not score a goal. The bad news: despite many good chances, the Flames only scored once.
The Flames had their chances, but just couldn’t capitalize in a 3-1 home loss to the Capitals.
The rundown
The Flames got behind the eight-ball early. After a shot from Jacob Chychrun missed its target, MacKenzie Weegar went to clear the net-front area of a loose puck… and inadvertently passed it right to Pierre-Luc Dubois, who sniped top-corner on Dustin Wolf. Whoops. That made it 1-0 Capitals.
The Flames bounced back and had a few good looks as the period wore on, but couldn’t capitalize on them.
First period shots were 13-5 Flames. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 10-5 Flames (high-danger chances were 3-0 Flames).
The Flames continued to get looks in the second period. Eventually, their forechecking led to some frustration on the Capitals’ part. Dubois was tagged with a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct after he expressed his discontent to the officials for a perceived missed call on Blake Coleman. On the resulting power play – and rather quickly – the Flames tied the game up, with Coleman tipping a Tyson Barrie point shot past Logan Thompson to tie things up at 1-1.
FLAMES GOAL! Blake Coleman ties it up after redirecting a shot from Tyson Barrie. 📹: Sportsnet
But the game would not remain deadlocked for long. A couple minutes after the tying goal, Brayden Pachal was called for hooking. Nine seconds into the subsequent Capitals power play, Coleman was called for closing his hand on the puck – he threw the puck in an attempt to clear the zone, which is a no-no. On the resulting two-man advantage, Dylan Strome took advantage of all kinds of time and space with the puck beside Wolf and put a backhander past him to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead.
When you're too busy thinking about what Ovi's gonna do on the 5-on-3, Dylan Strome will make you pay 💰
Second period shots were 13-9 Capitals. Five-on-five scoring chances were 9-7 Flames (high-danger chances were 4-4).
The Flames kept pressing for the equalizer in the third period. Both clubs exchanged power plays midway through the period – Andrew Mangiapane was called for tripping, while Adam Klapka was called for cross-checking – but neither could capitalize and the Capitals maintained their one goal lead.
The Flames drew a late power play with 4:23 left in regulation. They couldn’t score, though, and Aliaksei Protas scored on a breakaway to give the Capitals a 3-1 lead.
Aliaksei Protas scores as the Flames power play expires and Tom Wilson was LOVING it
The Capitals held on for the win.
Third period shots were 11-6 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances were 5-4 Flames (high-danger chances were 2-1 Flames).
Why the Flames lost
Give the Flames credit: they did a lot of good things. They had the puck a lot. They managed it well. They set up a lot of good scoring chances. They just couldn’t bury enough of them. The shape of their game was quite good, but the execution of their finer details just weren’t there.
Red Warrior
Man, Nazem Kadri didn’t get rewarded on the scoresheet, but he was constantly noticeable whenever he hit the ice. (For positive reasons.)
Turning point
With Washington clinging to a one goal lead, the Flames earned two third period power plays. They couldn’t capitalize on either of them. They had two perfect opportunities to tie the game, but simply could not do enough on the man advantage to do so.
This and that
The Flames paid tribute to the late, great Al MacNeil with a tribute video prior to the game narrated by general manager Craig Conroy.
Tonight, we remember and honour Al 'Chopper' MacNeil ❤️ We miss you Chopper, rest in peace.
During the first TV timeout, the Flames also saluted Andrew Mangiapane, who was playing his first game in Calgary after an off-season trade to Washington.
Tom Wilson and Rasmus Andersson spent a good chunk of the late part of the third period having a war of words on the ice and between the two penalty boxes.
Rasmus Andersson and Tom Wilson were going after one another. 📹: Sportsnet
Up next
The Flames (24-18-7) are back at it on Thursday night at the Saddledome when they host the Anaheim Ducks.
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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