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Six takeaways from Calgary vs Minnesota:
1) Despite the loss, I thought the Flames played very well and it was one of their best performances of the season. They came out firing generating 20 chances in the 1st period alone and out-chanced the Wild by 14 overall. It felt like they were always in control of the game and that it was only a matter of time before the scoreboard reflected it. Unfortunately for the Flames, Alex Stalock put forth the best performance you'll see from him all season and that was the difference in the game.
2) The Flames only cashed in on one of their six power play opportunities but they looked excellent while up a man. The puck movement was fast, crisp, and there were several extended stretches where they held the zone for 45+ seconds and were peppering Stalock in the process (like early in the 1st period, where the top unit controlled play for the majority of the man advantage).
3) I hope Jaromir Jagr's injury in something minor -- I'd assume it is given he didn't miss his appearance on After Hours following the game -- because he's really starting to play well. He had assists in consecutive games prior to last night and had a couple great chances around the net on the man advantage before he left with an injury. He's provided a nice boost offensively, which the Flames need with the likes of Sam Bennett and Micheal Ferland struggling to find the scoresheet out of the gate.
4) Sean Monahan is playing at another level right now. He scored (again) and piled up the chances in bunches (again) as he had a game-high six(!) at even-strength. Monahan is now up to 23 on the year, which ties him for 6th in the league with the likes of Nikita Kucherov and Auston Matthews. Pretty good company, I think.
5) I've used this space a lot to dump on Troy Brouwer, and his contract, so it's only fair I give him credit when he deserves it and, based on his performance last night, he does. Due to Jagr's injury, he had to eat up some extra minutes and he looked legitimately good while doing so. He showed off great hands setting up the Monahan goal -- seriously, where did that come from? -- and the Flames out-chanced the Wild 8-3 with him on the ice at 5v5. That was the best game I've seen from him in a long time.
6) After the loss to Carolina, Glen Gulutzan hinted that some of the players who continue to take penalties could see their ice cut as a result.
That didn't prove to be the case as Matthew Tkachuk and Dougie Hamilton set season highs in time on ice while Sam Bennett was right in line with his season averages. As it turns out, it's tough to bench some of your best players when two points are on the line.
Recent posts:
Five takeaways from Calgary vs Carolina
On Jagr, Stajan, and Jankowski
On Tkachuk's strong play, getting Lack some work, and Glass
Predicting the Pacific Division standings
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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