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Jets 4, Flames 1: Despite loss, Cam Talbot much better in 2nd appearance |
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Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
A few notes from Calgary vs Winnipeg:
1) I thought Cam Talbot played a lot better than his stats (.893 save percentage) would suggest. He tracked the puck well and looked confident and controlled with his movements throughout. I don’t think you can put him at fault for the goals he gave up. One double deflected off Michael Stone, then Oliver Kylington, and landed right in front of Blake Wheeler for an empty-netter. One was deflected by an unmarked forward just a couple feet in front of the net. The only thing Talbot could have done is maybe controlled the rebound on Jack Roslovic’s goal a bit better, although the latter was able to get to it a little too easily. At any rate, it was a definite step in the right direction considering Talbot’s preseason debut with the team.
2) Oliver Kylington was a mixed bag. He made some nice plays with the puck and finished above water in terms of Corsi For% and Expected Goals For%. That’s good, especially given Winnipeg dressed a better lineup.
Unfortunately, there were occasions where he tried to do too much in the offensive zone, play went the other way, and the Flames ended up giving up a couple good looks. As obvious as Kylington’s talent is, those kinds of things are what stops the coaching staff from really trusting him and giving him a chance to play every night.
3) Devante Smith-Pelly had a really good scoring chance early in the game. He missed what was essentially an open net, and it was all downhill from there. Once again, the Flames were absolutely caved in when he was on the ice. They were out-attempted 16-4 (20 CF%) and he posted a 19.77 xGF%. Both were worst on the team. I know the Flames like to have some physicality on their 4th line – there is a reason Garnet Hathaway played every night – but I just don’t think Smith-Pelly has the skating ability or skill to hold up, even in such a limited role. He’s gotta be cut soon.
4) I continue to like what I see from Tobias Rieder. While actually finishing chances remains an issue, his speed is helping him generate quite a few seemingly every night. It’s also a factor on the penalty kill, where he’s able to close quickly and provide constant pressure on the closest puck carrier. He played 2:33 on the PK last night and the Flames out-shot the Jets 2-0 in that time. I think he’d make more of an impact than a player like Smith-Pelly or Zac Rinaldo. Simply put, his skills are much more useful in the modern NHL.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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