Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Flames 7, Blues 2: Five observations from a blowout win in St. Louis

December 17, 2018, 11:09 AM ET [27 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

Five observations from Calgary vs St. Louis:

1. The Flames were ready to play

They were in the latter half of a road back-to-back that featured a pair of matinee games. The Blues were a rested team slowly starting to trend upwards (entering play, they had wins over Colorado, Winnipeg, and Florida in four games prior). It certainly didn't show in the 1st period.

Calgary came out flying and dominated territorially for the entirety of the opening frame. They were quick to loose pucks, dissected the Blues with crisp passing, and had no problems walking around defenders if no lanes were available. It was like the Blues were skating in quicksand.

As has often been the case this season, the Flames put the pedal to the metal and took full advantage of their opponent's groggy start.

After 20, attempts were 29-7, shots were 16-6, chances were 15-2, and goals were 4-0. The game was over by that point.

In year's past, the Flames would consistently outplay teams but fail to put them away. Now, they're as good as anyone at it.

2. The top line continues to shine

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Elias Lindholm are playing as good as any trio in hockey. It feels like every night they fill the scoresheet. On the rare occasion they don't, it's generally not due to a lack of chances. They're always threatening.

Yesterday's game was no different. They had the Blues on the heels from their very first shift en route to another big night at the office.

Gaudreau had two goals, an assist, and led the team with seven shot contributions at 5v5. Lindholm also recorded three points (one goal, two assists) while contributing to six attempts at 5v5. Monahan was the quiet one of the bunch picking up an assist and five shot contributions.



What's remarkable is they put up those numbers despite, like the rest of the team, taking their foot off the gas after just 20 minutes. After recording 29 attempts and 15 chances in the 1st period, the Flames mustered up 22 attempts and eight chances over the final 40.

3. The Flames defended well

They held a lead for all but five minutes. They were in a road back-to-back. They took their foot off the gas for two periods. Yet they still only conceded nine high-danger chances. For perspective, they've only allowed fewer five times this season. St. Louis controlled play in spurts – particularly in the 2nd period – but it's not as if they broke the Flames down and generated quality chance after quality chance. Given the circumstances, I thought Calgary's team defense was fairly solid.

4. PK continues to excel

Calgary's penalty kill was once again fantastic. In four minutes, they allowed just one shot on goal to the Blues. One! They matched them in terms of Grade A looks and actually out-scored the Blues thanks to an all-world effort from Lindholm taking advantage of some sleepy Blues (namely Colton Parayko) off of a draw.

The Flames rank 5th in xGA/60 and only the Coyotes have scored more goals while down a man. They continue to be really good.

5. The 4th line struggled

Alan Quine scored a pair of goals, including a late power play marker. That's the good news. The bad news: Quine, along with Garnet Hathaway and Kerby Rychel, spent most of their time chasing play in the defensive zone. Though the end result was good, they were very lucky to get it.



Recent posts:

Five observations from a grind-it-out win in Minnesota

On getting James Neal going and giving David Rittich more starts

Predicting the Pacific Division standings
Join the Discussion: » 27 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Three negatives from the Calgary Flames' 2020-21 campaign
» Three positives from the Calgary Flames' 2020-21 season
» Calgary Flames notes - May 19th
» Three things I'd like to see from the Calgary Flames down the stretch
» G52 Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators: Low-danger hockey