They say a picture tells a thousand words.
A snapshot of Logan Thompson after Mikael Backlund’s go-ahead goal with 4:29 left in the third? One word.
Heartbreak.
The former Calgary Buffalo put up another ten bell performance in Calgary, this time his team just couldn’t provide the support needed to prevent a three goal comeback.
A .925 save percentage isn’t going to do it. Not against a three line threat like Calgary. Not against a now 5/15 Flames powerplay. (33%)
A few observations.
Perfection
The Calgary Flames are among five teams that haven’t lost a game in this young season.
Undefeated in 2022-23
Philidelphia Flyers
Calgary Flames
Dallas Stars
Carolina Hurricanes — Who play the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow night.
St. Louis Blues — Who have only played one game.
Despite teams such as LA and Vegas playing more than three games — the Flames sit tied for first in the NHL with six points.
OK. Those are the five best starts this season. Let’s look at the worst starts.
Worst Starts in 2022-23
San Jose Sharks: 0-5-0
Minnesota Wild: 0-3-0
Vancouver Canucks: 0-3-1
Edmonton Oilers: 1-2-0 — Who play the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night.
Tampa Bay Lightning: 1-3-0
You see teams like Minnesota and Tampa floundering and tend to remember that every team has slow starts from time to time. Sometimes teams are even known for it.
Which is why the Flames starting 3-0-0 is such a breath of fresh air.
Last season, Calgary lost their first two to divisional opponents before they came online and won six straight.
In 20-21, the Flames lost two of their first three and put up a middling 7-7-1 October.
It gets worse the further back you go.
19-20? 2-3-1 to start the season.
18-19? 5-5-1 in their first 11 games.
Those points matter as clusters start to define in the standings.
Veteran Input
How nice has it been to have three high quality centers rolling? How about six high quality defencemen? That depth came through last night. All three goals were based off scrambles out front and all three goals were scored by or assisted on by veterans.
Goal One: Elias Lindholm from Huberdeau & Kadri
Goal Two: Tyler Toffoli from Andersson & Huberdeau
Goal Three: Mikeal Backlund from Coleman & Weegar
Fourth Line
While it’s fun to talk about the positive results of having three quality lines, the fourth line has quietly put up good results as well. The three have played roughly 30 minutes each across three games. Here’s what has happened on the ice at 5v5 while they’re out there.
Kevin Rooney
CF%: 62.00
Goals For: 2
Goals Against: 0
Milan Lucic
CF%: 63.83
Goals For: 2
Goals Against: 0
Brett Ritchie
CF%: 68.29
Goals For: 2
Goals Against: 0
Zero goals against is all you really need from this line. They’ve also collectively drawn five penalties and thrown 21 hits.
Of Concern
Jacob Markstrom’s glove is still shaking off some rust. Both Vegas goals came glove side. The first goal against was a floater that Jacob would certainly like back. Might be more going on there.
Speaking Of
Noah Hanifin was absent from practice once again today, with Zadorov moved onto his pairing with Andersson. Must be a nagging injury.
The Flames are back at it tomorrow night against the upstart 2-1-0 Buffalo Sabres. Be sure to stop by for a few things to keep an eye on during the game.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via naturalstattrick.com, nhl.com. Image of Logan Thompson courtesy nhl.com.
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