The Calgary Flames were not overly pleased with their effort or result in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Among the things they were displeased with was their special teams: they allowed three goals on six power play opportunities by Edmonton, which was a pretty big difference-maker in the hockey game.

On Saturday night, the Flames – and their penalty kill – got a chance for redemption when they rematched the Oilers at the Saddledome. And in no small part to a much better special teams outing, the Flames beat the Oilers by a 3-2 score.

The Flames did not escape the night unscathed. Evan Bouchard scored a power play goal in the first period off the third shot the Oilers put on Dustin Wolf during their first man advantage. Bouchard’s blast tied the game at 1-1.

However, the Flames managed to hold the Oilers to two shots, combined, on a pair of second period power plays with the home side nursing a 2-1 lead.

On Tuesday in Edmonton, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for 10 shots and eight points – including a trio of power play goals from Draisaitl. On Saturday in Calgary, the dynamic duo combined for nine shots… but just two points. The Flames’ stingy penalty kill likely went a long way to keeping the Oilers’ big guns quiet.

“We knew special teams had to be a little more disciplined tonight,” said Flames forward Blake Coleman following the game. “Still gave one up on the power [play], but had a few big kills. And, you know, it gives guys like that momentum. You just got to find ways to keep them quiet. But, for the most part, I thought guys did a great job team checking him. And they get the one there. But other than that, there wasn’t a whole lot.”

Flames head coach Ryan Huska acknowledged that the penalty kill was a big difference in the hockey game.

“Those two that they killed off in the second period could have been the difference in the game,” said Huska. “So, early in the first period, you know, there’s a few reads that we were off on. But the two in the second period, I thought the guys did a very good job.”

“Just a little more assertive on our checking,” said Coleman, explaining the differences between the Flames’ first penalty kill and the other two. “You know, getting in lanes a little quicker. You know, the first one I’d like to have back. The one that I could have maybe challenged the shot a little more aggressively and gotten a block on. But, you know, you continue to learn. We go over video throughout the whole game and try to find ways to be better. And knew that if we wanted to win this game, you can’t be giving up multiple power play goals. So, you know, stopped the bleeding at that first one and got back to our style.”

In Edmonton, the Flames looked a bit slow, a bit disorganized and generally not at their usual standard of play. They were much better at home, with netminder Dustin Wolf – who made 29 saves to pick up a win in his 100th NHL appearance – noting the cues, from his perspective, that indicated his team was on their game.

“I mean, you know, letting me see pucks, blocking shots when necessary, and just competing, tying up sticks,” said Wolf. “From my point of view, we did a pretty good job of that tonight, and, you know, that’s how we have to play.”

With the win, the Flames move to 16-18-4 on the season – and 14-9-2 since their disastrous first 13 game stretch. When accounting for points percentage and differences in games played, they’re three points back of the Seattle Kraken for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They do, however, still have several teams to climb over to get there.

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