For the second time in as many games the Calgary Flames put forth a strong effort against a team comfortably sitting in a playoff spot.
The difference this time around was the Flames walked away winners as they managed a 2-1 win over the Predators and snapped their 13-game point streak in the process.
The Good
- The Preds are one of the best teams in the NHL when it comes to controlling play at 5 v 5 and, despite being the aggressor while playing from behind, only had three more shot attempts and two more scoring chances than the Flames at full-strength.
Kind of funny how the Flames start doing better in possession without Kris Russell and Deryk Engelland, isn't it?
- Another game, another masterful performance from Johnny Gaudreau. He scored a pair of goals in 10 seconds, which alone was almost enough to win the game, and picked up an assist on the game-winning-goal in overtime when the Predators decided they weren't going to go away easily. He was also one of the Flames' best players in possession. By all accounts he was excellent in this one.
- For the sixth time in seven games Joni Ortio posted at least a .913SV% and allowed two goals or less. The team played fairly well in front of him but it's encouraging that he's made the saves he's had to. The same couldn't be said about Ortio - or any Flames goaltender - early in the season.
- Jyrki Jokipakka logged more than 23 minutes of ice and held his own doing so. The Flames were only out attempted by one with Jokipakka out at 5 v 5 and he contributed three shots on goal while looking pretty comfortable on the back end. His numbers - both standard and advanced - were underwhelming in Dallas but he's been fairly good in his first few games as a Flame.
The Bad
- Despite Brodie's injury, as well as the game going to overtime, Jakub Nakladal played less than 13 minutes of ice and was last among Flames' blue liners in ice time. For whatever reason Bob Hartley doesn't appear to be Nakladal's biggest fan but he's played pretty well in his limited minutes and is someone I'd like to see get more ice down the stretch.
- Both T.J. Brodie and Sam Bennett left the game and did not return due to upper-body injuries. Those are extremely important players for the Flames and guys they don't want to be without for an extended period of time; although their absences would certainly help the Flames' cause when it comes to improving their draft position.
- The Flames blew their two-goal lead in the 3rd period and almost wasted what was a fairly strong performance from the team.
Stat Of The Game
Dougie Hamilton played more than 27 minutes and, for the first time this season, has logged 24+ in consecutive games.
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