Dallas Stars Take a 3-2 Series Lead over the Calgary Flames

Game 5 Preview

Calgary Flames 1 – Dallas Stars 2

Scoring

Calgary Flames

1st: 19:14 – Backlund (4), (Unassisted)

2nd: None

3rd: None

Dallas Stars

1st: 10:13 SHG – Benn (2), (Seguin)

2nd: None

3rd: 1:12 – Klingberg (1), (Janmark)

Stats Summary

Recap

Close but no cigar for the Calgary Flames as they battled hard, spending the last couple of minutes in the Dallas zone. Stars’ Cogliano taking a late penalty with a stick to Mangiapane’s face. With 1:53 left to play and the Flames down a goal — Ward called a time out, and Talbot was pulled for the extra attacker, but time would wind down. Khudobin freezing the puck at 46.6 left, and the Cogliano penalty coming with 21.7 seconds left to play.

Jamie Benn would opening up the scoring, giving the Stars a 1-0 lead — a SHG as the 4-on-4 was coming to an end. Dube losing a handle in the Stars zone creates a turn over the other way, Seguin leading the attack and feed to Benn for the finish.

Mikael Backlund would give his team some hope tying the game 1-1 with 45.1 seconds left to play in the 1st period.

Klingberg would get the game winner for the Dallas Stars — his first playoff goal, since last game’s goal was awarded to Radulov on the tip in.

Final Thoughts

Johnny Rocket was buzzing early on, and it was good to see speedy Rieder getting promoted to the first line in the 2nd period.

Flames trying to play a physical game — Sam Bennet with 5 SOG 3 Hits, Lindholm with 4 SOG 6 Hits, even Rieder had 6 Hits! Calgary wasn’t able to wear Dallas down in this one.

Lots of posts hit and blocked shots on both ends, with both goalies making some big saves. Khudobin with a save on Bennett’s wrap around attempt in the second period, and Talbot able to stop Heiskanen’s shot with the Stars cruising in on a 3-on-1.

The Flames had an opportune chance with 5 minutes to play — Dickinson had lost his stick, Corey Perry giving up his stick and going in for a hit, as Hintz was able to clear the puck. Calgary continued to press until the end, but they’ll be cutting their losses tonight.

I don’t have a Flame of the Game tonight, BUT Matthew Tkachuk seems to be the X-factor — his 3rd game being held out.

Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 between Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars is on Thursday, August 20th TBD

by Renu Sahota