The Calgary Flames returned to action on Tuesday night and they exited the break the same way as they headed into it: with a three-goal win.
The Avalanche actually led after the first period but the Flames really took it to them for the majority of the game and were rewarded with a 6-3 win.
A few notes:
1) The Avs are not good at 5v5 and the Flames really took advantage by completely pushing them around in that game state.
Take this shift, for example.
#HereComeTheAvs pic.twitter.com/kQCFYlQK7M
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) December 28, 2016
The Flames controlled play in the offensive zone for a good 40 seconds before finally breaking through and extending their lead. The Avs are the Avs, but the Flames' puck movement has been very good of late and they've been able to sustain offensive zone pressure on a more frequent basis as a result. The Flames are starting to look like a team that could not only make the playoffs but actually give a team (or more) a really good run for their money.
2) As mentioned, the Flames had a very good night at 5v5. Led by the Giordano - Hamilton pairing, which was dominant, the Flames out-attempted the Avs by 21 and out-chanced them by eight.
Led by the Giordano - Hamilton pairing (again), the Flames were absolutely dominant at 5v5 against the Avalanche (data via @NatStatTrick) pic.twitter.com/KT7hj9PF1T
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) December 28, 2016
There weren't many, or any, really, passengers last night. When your worst players are breaking even, you're in pretty good shape.
3) Since it's the holiday season, I think it's only fair that Brad Treliving sends Peter Chiarelli a gift basket and a thank you note for letting Kris Versteeg leave camp unsigned.
He has 16 points in 25 games (52 per 82) and provided a much-needed offensive boost on the wing.
He seems to mesh well with anyone he plays with and his playmaking ability is a big plus when playing alongside talented players like Johnny Gaudreau and/or Sean Monahan.
The Flames have scored a lot of goals like this lately. Good puck movement is so fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/5tEUKCqXyV
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) December 28, 2016
4) I thought Mikael Backlund played a whale of a game before leaving with an injury. He was good through the neutral zone (as usual), made things happen offensively and came up with a couple big blocks/clears on the 5-on-3 penalty kill. Hopefully the injury is minor because he's been truly great for the Flames this season and would be an impossible guy for them to replace from within.
5) Remember when the Flames couldn't even gain the line on the power play? Well, now they whip the puck around with precision and can't be stopped. The power play has converted at least once in 10 of their last 11 and they have 15(!) goals in that span. Credit to Dave Cameron and the coaching staff for finding a way to get the PP back on track and get the most out of their personnel.
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