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Calgary Flames

Statistical Summarization — CGY v STL

A wrecking ball performance from a call-up mixed with a subpar performance from a regular meant only 1 point for the Flames out of the All-Star Break.

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It’s highly unfortunate the results last night didn’t go the Flames way. After putting up 57% of the xGF  and 60% of the scoring chances losing in a shootout really stung. Getting a point from a game playing the best team in the west could be a considered a moral victory, but with how crowded the Pacific division is getting a real victory is what we’re hunting for.

Corsi King – 14 mins played at 5v5, a CF% of 76.47%, and did I mention it was his first NHL game in 4 years? Buddy Robinson welcome back to the show. What a game from the big guy, who was noticeable throwing his body on the forecheck and even ended the game playing with a scoring Sean Monahan and a flying Johnny Gaudreau. Color me impressed.

Corsi Clown – 10 days off weren’t very nice to our other big guy’s legs, Milan Lucic. He posted just a 26.32 CF%. Taking Dr. Fix-It (Derek Ryan) off his line didn’t help him much. Geoff Ward seems to be experimenting with lineups and chemistry, which is fair, but I think I’d glue Looch to Doc’s wing.

Taken By Chance – 9 Chances for vs only 2 against (81.2 SCF%), hello again Buddy Robinson. I’m sure we’ll see you tonight in Edmonton. Our best D-man at 72.22 SCF% was TJ Brodie. I really hope he wants to re-sign for Jake Gardiner money in Calgary, His play this year has really 360’d my opinion of him and wouldn’t mind keeping an original Flames draft pick in the Top 4.

xGF% – Buddy Robinson really did have the game of games last night. 87.85% of xG while he was on the ice. I do doubt he’ll be able to replicate this, but I hope with every fibre of my being I’m wrong. Other standout forwards were Mikael Backlund (83.46%) and Johnny Gaudreau (74.03%) Despite scoring Mark Jankowski only posted a 36% xG share, but hey 2 game goal scoring streak!

Game Flow – 

This was the exact kind of thing you wanted to do against STL to start the game. They kept up the pace and pushed the Blues on their backs all the way u TIL the third period when, with the game still in reach, the reigning cup champs decided they wanted to play some serious hockey Flames need to find a way to put these “dominant” games out of the oppositions reach.

Game Score – Last night’s top performer in game score was Sean Monahan, with a 2.22 score. Johnny Gaudreau followed close behind with a 2.14. The Flames PP was something I’m not used to it being last night, good. Their zone entry was good and they were able to maintain puck possession after getting in, and then promptly moving the puck laterally to get Binnington moving. I’d very much like to see more of that. 

Last night’s bottom performer was Cam Talbot with a score of -1.50. Followed by one of our more consistent positive performers in Andrew Mangiapane only scoring a -1.13.

Shot Heatmap –

Flames did a very good job of limiting the shots in tight around Talbot at 5v5, yet somehow they still scored 3. Oops. They countered it by getting right in Jordan Binnington’s kitchen and peppering him with quality shots. The Blues do not normally let this happen, so it surprised me. Still they only scored 1 goal at 5v5 because JB played amazing.

Player Spotlight – Cam Talbot – Talbot let in 3 goals at 5v5 on only 1.67 xG against. It wasn’t a very good performance from the netminder. I’d consider this a crash back to reality that Talbot is a backup goaltender. He has very good moments and believe he can be a 30 game starter at this point in his career, but he comes with occasional belly flops like last night. I’m very grateful he came in and played lights out while Rittich had his struggles, but I fully expect the Flames coaching staff to go back to BSD for the foreseeable games.

Flashylitcal 3 Stars – 

(All stats compiled from NaturalStatTrick.com except for Game Score, grabbed from HockeyStatCards.com)

by Shane Stevenson