It’s going to take some time to settle down after that game.
Game seven. Glory on the line. With a shot attempt differential of 99-40 in favour of the Flames entering overtime.
Was anyone actually feeling confident that the Flames would take this series?
The Stars, despite only recording seven high danger chances in regulation— ten by my count including posts and crossbars, looked
as deadly— if not
more deadly than the Calgary Flames in the sporadic instances that they got something on net.
Heading into the overtime period; this was a game that had “upset” written all over it.
The game winning goal was just as low percentage of an opportunity as any other shot taken from the perimeter of the slot this series.
Barely below the crossbar and barely above the right shoulder of Jake Oettinger.
Finally a release from the most agonizing first round series for the Flames in decades.
When It Matters
With the Flames’ playoff hopes on the line and the team down 2-1, Matthew Tkachuk finally made his presence known on the scoresheet. His tying goal 8:44 into the second period was a shot that very few players on Earth could make.
A layup from Gaudreau, that was going maybe a bit faster than most would prefer, was all Matt needed to ring a one-timer above Jake Oettinger’s left shoulder and in. While speculation of an upper body injury may persist, it’s impossible to deny the skill required on Matthew Tkachuk’s first postseason marker of the ‘22 playoffs.
A Toast to the Stars
The team led by head coach Rick Bowness entered the series largely favoured as the underdog. They played the part perfectly. The series ended 15-14 in scoring and needed overtime in game seven to finally reach a conclusion.
Even more impressive was the performance of 23 year old Jake Oettinger. Jake saved 64 of 67 shots on the night. The goals scored on him were such high skill tallies that it would be fair to say no goalie could guarantee a save on any one of them.
1.81 goals against average and a .954 save percentage over seven starts. No goalie is putting up better stats this playoffs.
Among forwards, the legendary Joe Pavelski nearly sealed this series at multiple points in game seven. He also set up Vladislav Namestnikov for the go-ahead goal in the second period.
“Little Joe” led the Stars in production this postseason with six points in seven games. With a bit better luck, he would have surpassed a point per game and ensured a Stars second round appearance.
On defence, Miro Heiskanen absolutely powered the Stars to seven games. Over 179:06 he only was on the ice for four goals against. Don’t let his one goal and two assists fool you; the series ends in four or five without Miro.
So, a toast.
May the Flames never play the Dallas Stars in round one again.
Find yourself a ginger ale and cheers at your convenience.
Utter Dominance
This game should be included in textbooks as an example of why advanced stats aren’t all that useful in small sample series. Let’s look at how vastly the Calgary Flames out-chanced the Dallas Stars at 5v5 in regulation time of game seven.
1st period
Shot Attempts For/Against: 32-14 - 69.57CF%
HDCF-HDCA: 4-4
GF-GA: 0-1
2nd Period
Shot Attempts For/Against: 39-8 - 84.62CF%
HDCF-HDCA: 10-0
GF-GA: 2-1
3rd Period
Shot Attempts For/Against: 28-18 - 56.25CF%
HDCF-HDCA: 2-3
GF-GA: 1-0
That is indisputably a dominant performance.
Still, regulation time ends and it’s 2-2.
And with the amount of skating circles around the Stars that the Flames had done— there was room for concern that the roster as a whole might be gassed.
OT 5v5
Shot Attempts For/Against: 20-15 – 57.14CF%
HDCF-HDCA: 6-1
GF-GA: 1-0
Despite the lopsided amount of high danger chances, the series came down to one pivotal save by Jacob Markstrom on Joe Pavelski. 134 shot attempts to Dallas’ 59 and still it was decided by just two plays. Minutes later, Gaudreau threaded the needle on what will go down in history as one of the greatest moments of the Gaudreau Era.
That is, unless there is more to come.
The Calgary Flames now set their eyes on round two. The first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years.
While it would be nice to bask in the glory of finally throttling the beast that was the 21-22 Dallas Stars— A team that handily beat the Flames just two years ago.
Tonight is all the time they will get to do that. Tomorrow is practice and preparation as they now must bring down (arguably) the best hockey player on Earth.
Series preview later today.
Trevor Neufeld
Stats via naturalstattrick and nhl.com. Graphic via naturalstattrick.
@Trevor_Neufeld 
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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