Fresh off a win over the Canadiens on Sunday night the Calgary Flames were looking for a similar result against the last placed Toronto Maple Leafs.
They didn't get that, though, as the Maple Leafs scored the game's 1st goal and never trailed en route to a 5-2 win.
The Good
- Mark Giordano finished with a team-high plus-8 shot attempt differential at even-strength, picked up an assist on Joe Colborne's goal (although it was almost like he scored) and logged over six minutes on a PK unit that was perfect on the night.
- Joe Colborne was all around the net in this game and was rewarded by being hit with Giordano's shot and getting a fortuitous bounce. Obviously that goal was a fluke but he did have seven scoring chances on the night so it's not like he didn't get himself in opportunities to score. At times he has taken some heat throughout the year - and rightfully so - but he's playing some pretty good hockey right now. Over his last four game he has 15 scoring chances and four points.
- It was nice to see Josh Jooris come to Johnny Gaudreau's aid after taking a big hit from Nazem Kadri. Obviously it's to be expected when a star player gets levelled but my point remains the same.
Hopefully it earns Jooris some brownie points with Bob Hartley and the coaching staff because he's a useful player and, at times, I think he's been under utilized this year.
The Bad
- The Flames were absolutely embarrassed by the Zach Hyman - William Nylander - P.A. Parenteau unit all night long. They won races to loose pucks, were dangerous off the rush, sustained tons of offensive zone time and seemed to generate a scoring chance or two every time they were on the ice.
Nylander is probably the best prospect in hockey, Zach Hyman is promising and P.A. Parenteau is much better than he's given credit for but the Flames shouldn't have looked as helpless against that trio as they did.
- As effective as Nylander was...Sam Bennett was equally ineffective. He had a couple blown assignments in the defensive zone, finished a negative in possession and did not register a scoring chance, shot or shot attempt.
- It was a rough night at the office for Tyler Wotherspoon and Jakub Nakladal on the 3rd pairing. Despite playing relatively soft competition they were absolutely caved in at even-strength as the Flames were out attempted 23-11 with that pairing on the ice.
- Dougie Hamilton played less than every defenseman on the Flames. He had an assist and was one of two players - Giordano being the other - on the team to finish above 50% in possession.
- The Flames gave the Leafs six power plays. They didn't allow a power play marker but generally that's not going to end well for them.
Stat Of The Game
William Nylander had nine scoring chances. No other Leaf had more than four.
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