Instant Reaction: eight was enough – Flames snap losing skid with win over Rangers

A little later, the Flames added to their lead off a nice shot. Kevin Bahl got the puck at the point and opted to fire it on net. With Alexis Lafreniere lingering in front, Bahl’s shot beat Shesterkin glove-side to make it 2-0 Flames.

As they were announcing the Bahl goal, Connor Zary lost track of his man in the neutral zone – he was trying to support pressure on the puck carrier and the pass got through – and Noah Laba took advantage of a clear lane to the net to drive to the front and beat Dustin Wolf glove-side to cut Calgary’s lead to 2-1.

First period shots were 12-5 Flames. Via Natural Stat Trick, 5v5 scoring chances were 11-7 Flames and high-dangers were 5-4 Flames.

The Rangers pushed back in the second period, as the Flames made a few puck management miscues. However, Wolf made several big stops to keep the Flames in front.

The Rangers had a three-on-two rush that resulted in no strong chance, and the puck went the other way. Zary fed Yegor Sharangovich in front. Shesterkin made the initial stop on the shot, but the puck ricocheted in off his arm to make it 3-1 Flames.

As we noted, Wolf made several big sops, including a paddle save late in the second period.

Second period shots were 13-11 Rangers. 5v5 scoring chances were 10-7 Rangers and high-danger chances were 7-5 Rangers.

Midway through the third period, the Flames added some insurance. The Rangers whiffed on a scoring chance on the power play and Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman went the other way on a two-on-rush rush. Coleman finished their passing sequence with a back-door tap-in to make it 4-1 Flames.

Coleman made it 5-1 late in the third period, chucking the puck on net for an intended Backlund deflection but having the puck bonk in off Lafreniere instead.

The Flames held on for the 5-1 win.

Third period shots were 13-7 Rangers.

Why the Flames won

Well, scoring more than two goals was a big one.

But let’s be honest here: the Flames did a lot of good things with the puck and were rewarded. And when they made miscues, Wolf was very sharp behind them. When you get goals and goaltending, and stay out of the penalty box, you tend to get rewarded.

Red Warrior

Let’s give it to Coleman, who scored twice. But Wolf was really sharp when the game was close, too.

Turning point

Let’s go with Wolf’s paddle save in the third period. If that shot goes in, the Flames might be a bit more nervous into the third period.

This and that

Matt Coronato was a healthy scratch.

Adam Fox was traded to Carolina in 2018, and fans still boo him whenever he touches the puck on Saddledome ice. Flames fans hold grudges.

After Burner

Join Mike Gould and Cami Kepke right after the game for After Burner!

Up next

The Flames (2-7-1) are headed on the road. They start a four game eastern road swing on Tuesday night when they head to the centre of the hockey world to face the Toronto Maple Leafs.