The Flames came out flying in this one. They put up 17 shots in the first and controlled much of the play in the opening frame. Scoring wasn’t plentiful but the Flames got on the board first. On a powerplay, Derek Ryan tipped in a Noah Hanifin shot to put the Flames up by one after one. Just 38 seconds into the second, Mats Zuccarello pulled the Wild level. Later in the frame, Johnny Gaudreau kicked the puck to his stick and put a nifty shot past Alex Stalock. The Wild pressed hard through the second and the third, but could not find a way past Cam Talbot.

Statistical Breakdown

5v5 SVA CF% SCF% HDCF% xGF% 38.0 36.5 16.7 36.5 62.0 63.5 83.3 63.5

Team Stats

5v5 Player Stats

Calgary Flames

Andrew Mangiapane led the way for the Flames with a 68.4% CF.

Only three Flames were above 50% CF: Mangiapane, Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm.

Zac Rinaldo had a rough night, posting a 26.3% CF.

Opponent

Jordan Greenway posted a game high 76.7% CF. He was one of four Wild skaters over 70% CF.

Carson Soucy was the only WIld skater below 50% CF, posting a 45.8% CF.

Greenway, Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon were on the ice for eight high danger chances for.

Stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick

Thoughts on the Game

The Flames were good through the first period, but once they took the lead, they struggled to get anything going. The Wild completely took control, and generated a ton of chances. In the third period, the Wild generated eight high danger chances. The Flames generated three in the whole game. They had ten scoring chances to the Flames one in that period. The Flames managed to win, but in no way did they lock it down in the third.

The difference tonight for the boys in red was Talbot. He was absolutely outstanding. Not only did he put up a 0.974 save percentage, he also stopped all eleven high danger chances he faced. He kept the Flames in it through the third period and was key to the Flames winner. He has looked outstanding in the last few games for the Flames, and is proving why the Flames were keen to sign him this summer.

The other major difference-maker for the Flames was Mangiapane. After a very strong start, he struggled in his last few matches. Posting a 28.5% CF against the Blackhawks last game and 31.6% CF against the Rangers, he was demoted to the fourth line and got minimal playing time in the third period. This game, he came out to play. He had six individual corsi events, five individual scoring chances and one high danger corsi event. While he did not hit the score sheet, he was one of the Flames better forwards in this one.

In a week in which Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts talked about how the Flames may look to make a major change this summer if the Flames do not perform well, Gaudreau took that message to heart. He had moments where he looked like the player we all knew he can be, and the goal that he scored was truly Vintage Johnny. He seems to be regaining his form, and that can only bode well for this Flames team

The Gaud, the Bad, and the Beautiful

Good: The Ryan tip-in to open the scoring was a piece of art.

Bad: Not enough run support through the third for Talbot. It could have ended much worse for the Flames than it did.

Beautiful: Cam. Talbot. Absolutely magnificent in the win for the Flames.

Next Game

Opponent: Edmonton Oilers

Record: 24-17-5

Standings: 3rd in the Pacific

Season Series: 1-0-0

Photo by: Gerry Thomas NHLI via Getty Images