Calgary Flames 3 - Washington Capitals 5

Complete Stats

Scoring

Flames

1st: None

2nd: 3:19 PPG- Lindholm (6) (Gaudreau/Giordano), 16:25- Czarnik (1) (Lucic/Brodie)

3rd: 19:44- Rieder (1) (Ryan/Mangiapane)

Capitals

1st: None

2nd: 00:35- Carlson (4) (Ovechkin/Oshie), 2:41- Stephenson (1) (Unassisted), 16:35- Ovechkin (7) (Backstrom)

3rd: 12:34- Wilson (4) (Eller/Kempny), 18:15 Empty Net Carlson (5) (Unassisted)

Recap

For the third time this season the Flames had a chance to put together a two game winning streak and build some momentum and for the third time they failed to do so. The Washington Capitals and their high powered offence rolled into the Saddledome and left Calgary with a 5-3 win in the first game of their trip through Western Canada.

The Caps jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period, scoring at the 35 second mark and at the 2:41 mark. Giving up goals early in a period is Calgary’s thing lately and tonight was the same. The Flames were able to hang with the Capitals in the first 20, even out shooting them 15-9 in the first period. But after playing that well against one of the NHL’s best Calgary found themselves in a quick 2-0 hole.

Calgary would claw their way back into this game thanks to a PPG from Elias Lindholm just one minute and change after Chandler Stephenson’s goal and the Flames got within one at 2-1. Austin Czarnik would get Flames even by collecting a loose puck on the door step and deposit his first goal of the season into the back of the net and we were tied at 2-2.

For all the hard work the Flames would put into getting back into this game they would give it all away a mere 10 seconds later. Washington would come into the Flames zone after the face off and Alex Ovechkin would do what he does best, firing home a one timer past Cam Talbot and it was 3-2 and the Flames were on their heels.

Washington would add an empty netter, followed by Tobias Rieder getting the Flames third and final goal of the contest at 19:44 and Washington would walk away with a 5-3 victory.

Final Thoughts

Cam Talbot was the victim of some bad luck tonight, but he played a fairly solid game. He stopped 25 of the 29 shots that came his way and without a few weird bounces he may have had a better result.

The Flames PK was once again on point, shutting down the Capitals on all three of their situations with the extra man. Calgary’s PP also came alive tonight, getting one from Elias Lindholm and barely missing another on Austin Czarnik’s goal that happened just as the PP expired.

What wasn’t on point was the Flames top line....again. Sure, Lindholm had a goal with an assist from Johnny Gaudreau, but that’s not enough when you play against a top team like the Capitals. Sean Monahan went another game without a goal or point and all four of his shots found Braden Holtby instead of the back of the net.

Overall the Capitals showed the Flames what it takes to be a top team in the NHL and Calgary still has some work to do to get to that point.

Flame Of The Game

Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images

Austin Czarnik (F): Czarnik scored his first goal of the season and is looking pretty good on that second line. Czarnik had two SOG, was a +1 and ended up logging 2:25 on the PP.

What’s Next?

10/24: Calgary Flames vs Florida Panthers, 7 PM MT