Given the nature of the first Flames home stand, it would be understandable if you were worried prior to the stretch that the Flames just wrapped between November 29 and December 7.
The first home stand soured greatly. A glorious 3-1-0 followed by a miserable four losses.
This time? Four wins in five games — including a statement game against their under spoken rival in the Minnesota Wild.
The Flames now sit in the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference but remain on the precipice of falling out of the race. Take a look.
Nashville and Colorado likely take a spot when they catch up. Minnesota isn’t included on that graphic, but they have 28 points in 25 games and a points percentage of .560.
This is all to say that the Western Conference may be tripping over themselves to the finish line this season.
Calgary endured a 0-5-2 streak between Oct 29-Nov 10.
Edmonton went 3-7-0 from November 3 to November 23.
St. Louis? 0-8-0 (Oct 24-Nov 8)
Vancouver? 0-5-2 (Oct 12-Oct 24)
Nashville? 1-6-1 (Oct 13-Nov 1)
Even Minnesota went 1-3-1 from October 13 to October 22.
We’re not even 30 games into the season.
The Western Conference playoff picture certainly needs some work before it’s hung on the wall.
Smack dab in the middle of that picture is the Calgary Flames. What a time to be alive.
A few notes on last night’s 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild as well as a few on the Flames moving forward.
Familiar Style
At various points during the game, it felt more like the game was dictated by who was actively losing. The Flames set the early example of this by going down 2-0 less than three minutes into the first period.
Halfway through the first period, the Wild took the initiative in that regard. Three straight minor penalties were taken. The Flames started the second period on the power play.
With an intermission to prepare, the 5v4 unit scored 16 seconds into the frame. With momentum turned, Blake Coleman scores a minute later off a beautiful play by Mikael Backlund.
A minute later, Matt Dumba puts the Wild away with a puck over the glass penalty. With momentum in hand, Toffoli pots one on the reeling Marc-Andre Fleury.
Flash to the late third period. The Wild have clawed back with a goal from Jon Merril. His first of the season.
The puck is deep in the Minnesota end, Rasmus Andersson takes a pass and walks (coasts?) into the slot and takes it far side to put the Flames up 4-3 only 12 seconds after Merrill potting one. Take from that play what you will, but no one should be cruising the low slot unchallenged as Andersson did.
Fourth Line Problems
For their first shift of the game, the unit of Lucic-Lewis-Ritchie was out on the ice for the second Wild goal against. Ritchie and Lucic got caught way too far up the ice with no hope of getting back in time to catch the rush.
Darryl Sutter didn’t like that. The two played about four and a half minutes for the rest of the game or eight shifts.
A Spot Opens Up
Kevin Rooney was placed on waivers today. If demoted, his 1.3 million dollar cap hit results in about 300k opening up in cap space.
Coincidentally, Matt Phillips was called up this morning. The 5’7” winger leads the AHL in scoring as of December 8 with 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in 20 games. He joins the Flames while on an eight-game heater. Six goals and 10 assists in eight games.
Given that the Flames have relied on the power play to make the difference in most games this season, Matthew’s five power play markers indicate he should be of some help. Having a right shot right wing on both units would be ideal and Phillips qualifies for one of those spots.
A Tough Position
One of the more enjoyable aspects of the Flames finishing their home stand with a fourth win is the position it puts the Minnesota Wild in. They have a Friday-Saturday back-to-back starting tomorrow against the Oilers followed by the Canucks.
The Wild aren’t going to take last night’s loss laying down. They have some heavy players on their roster. The Oilers-Wild game tomorrow will be an exciting one.
The Flames are off to Columbus Ohio tomorrow to face Johnny Gaudreau for the first time since his exodus. More on that tomorrow.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via naturalstattrick.com, nhl.com, and theahl.com.
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