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Five observations from Calgary vs Minnesota:
1. That was wild
Excuse the pun but, wow, I did not see that coming. Though Minnesota started the season slowly, they’ve been one of the best defensive teams in the league over the last couple of months. The Wild generally play at a slow pace, too. They like to suck the life out of games as opposed to breathing it in. I figured the only way we’d see goals is if the goaltending was awful.
While there were a few iffy ones – soft goals, own goals, etc, – this game was full marks for the 5-4 scoreline.
There were 137 shot attempts, 71 shots on goal, 66 chances, and 27 Grade As. It was one of Calgary’s highest event games this season. That many opportunities will result in plenty of goals; I don’t care of Milan Lucic is taking every single one of them.
2. Travis Hamonic or Roman Josi?
Hamonic must have chugged a few red bulls prior to puck drop – the Chris Stewart special! – because he was absolutely wired from start to finish. I’m not sure I have ever seen him so confident and involved offensively.
Hamonic was rushing the puck up ice with regularity. He had no problem eluding defenders through the neutral zone. He was driving the net with his stick in position for deflections. Half the time he was up with the forwards on the rush.
There were also numerous instances where a forward would stop around the opposite circle and then lead a pinching Hamonic into open ice to wire a puck on goal.
If it felt like Calgary generated half their offense with Hamonic on the ice it’s probably because they did. Hold onto your hats on this one: the Flames generated 37 shot attempts, 13 scoring chances, and nine high-dangers with Hamonic on the ice at 5v5 alone. The Wild’s entire team generated nine high-dangers across all game states in 65 minutes of hockey. Insane.
Hamonic should go as Roman Josi next Halloween because he’s clearly got the impersonation down pat.
3. David Rittich a mixed bag
Rittich entered play having allowed three or more in six of nine starts. He did it again and, at times, things were a little ugly. He would definitely want the 1st goal back. I don’t think anything was too disastrous beyond that but allowing four goals on 2.41 expected vs a team with limited finishing talent is a pretty tough pill to swallow. To his credit Rittich was fairly strong in the shootout so perhaps a few stops there, and getting a win even while fighting it, will help get him back on track.
4. A deserved result
The Flames were not perfect. Rittich was hit and miss. There were some hiccups defensively. They never led until the shootout. All that said, I think the Flames deserved to be rewarded with two points. Grade A chances were 18-9 Calgary and they controlled 58.45% of the expected goals.
You’re doing something right any time that is the case. In particular, I loved Calgary’s forechecking – they created quite a few chances after forcing turnovers – and the constant activation of the defense.
I already talked about Hamonic but Mark Giordano was also jumping up every time he had the chance. Noah Hanifin didn’t hesitate, either, and had a couple good looks while driving the net for loose rebounds on scramble plays.
5. Try something new
Johnny Gaudreau is an awesome player. There aren’t many flaws in his game. One thing that drives me nuts, though, is his unwillingness to do *anything* on a breakaway besides going back-hand five-hole. It feels like he attempts that move 9 times out of 10 and converts, what, once? He has an accurate shot and some of the best hands in the league. Do something else, my guy!
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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