After opening the preseason with a pair of losses the Calgary Flames picked up their first win against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night.
The shots were 27 a piece but the Flames managed to pick up a 3-0 win in what was a battle of two teams with extremely watered down lineups.
A few notes on the game:
1) Nicklas Grossman played his second game in as many nights and struggled. Despite getting favorable zone starts, and playing mostly against opposing team's prospects, he posted a negative shot attempt differential at 5 v 5 once again. Only Keegan Kanzig, who has no shot of making the team, played fewer minutes on the back end. Make of that what you will.
2) Brett Kulak, who is one of the many competing for the 6th or 7th spot on defense, had a good showing for the Flames. He was sub 50% in possession but he scored a pair of goals and picked up a primary assist on Freddie Hamilton's while logging ~18 minutes; including more than a minute on both special teams units.
3) Lauri Korpikoski's preseason is off to a horrendous start. In two games he has posted a minus-18 shot attempt differential (4SAF, 22SAA). He was once a solid bottom-6 contributor but those days have passed. He should be cut sooner than later.
4) Isn't it nice to have good goaltending? Brian Elliott was good in his preseason debut and the team is already working on an extension to keep him around. Meanwhile Chad Johnson debuted against the Jets last night and stopped all 21 shots he faced, including this one.