Recap & Rate the Flames (5) vs Predators (2): First Place!

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Well, 30 games into the 2018-19 season the Calgary Flames are first place in the Western Conference. Hands up if you saw that coming…put your hand down I don’t believe you.

The Flames were propelled by their top line along with some huge depth goals as they downed the previous conference leading Nashville Predators 5-2.

Oliver Kylington opened the scoring early in the first off a great pass from Elias Lindholm who stayed hot. It was a perfect shot by Kylington who scored his first NHL goal and first NHL point on the play.

The Predators would tie the game late with Colton Sissons tipping home a fluttering pass from Roman Josi. It was a rather quiet opening period with the shots only 7-4 for Nashville.

The second period would be very similar, before the Flames poured it on late. Sean Monahan would finally cash in, walking out from the corner unopposed and roofing a backhander on Juuse Saros.

Nashville would tie the game early in the third with a long wrister that beat Mike Smith, similar to some of the ones he allowed earlier in the year. However he would bounce right back with a number of huge saves to keep the game tied.

Then the Flames depth would kick in, with Garnet Hathaway deflecting a Matthew Tkachuk shot past Saros to give Calgary a 3-2 lead.

Not long after, freshly recalled Alan Quine would score in his Flames debut after Rasmus Andersson intercepted a Preds clearing attempt at the blue line and found Quine who deked out Saros. It was Quine’s first as a Flame and a big goal to make it 4-2.

After that the Flames would do a great job to put it away, before the top line would combine for an empty net goal with Elias Lindholm netting his 16th of the year. That equals his total with Carolina last year, again a nice trade.

Flames win 5-2!

Flame of the Game

Oliver Kylington: The question of the game was who would step up in Mark Giordano’s absence. Kylington picked up the offensive slack, scoring his first NHL goal and NHL assist and was a critical part of the victory.

Up Next: A little Battle of Alberta tomorrow for the Conference leading Flames.

by Michael MacGillivray