The Calgary Flames came out flying Tuesday night against the Devils with a huge shift from the Pitlick-Backlund-Coleman line. Six minutes later Milan Lucic recorded his first goal on the season after picking up a deflected pass. That was a Milan Lucic breakaway, folks.
Four minutes after that, Andrew Mangiapane scored his sixth goal in six games with a snipe while falling. He picked defenseman Jordan Seigenthaler’s pocket to get the chance out front. A couple minutes later Lindholm tipped in a Rasmus Andersson shot. A minute after that the Devils boo birds came out after a breakaway goal by Mangiapane for goal eight on the season.
After an absolutely dominant first, the Flames coasted to a 5-3 victory. It’s not good to see the team slow down and play conservative hockey, but it’s a back to back. They earned a bit of breathing room. The Calgary Flames have now beat the New Jersey Devils in seven consecutive games.
The Bread Winner
With two goals in tonight’s game Andrew Mangiapane is now tied with Alex Ovechkin and fellow Flame Elias Lindholm for the league lead in goals with 8. Mangiapane is in need of an RFA contract at the end of the season along with Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. Tough decisions will have to be made.
Dawson Mercer is one to watch
Dawson Mercer was a one man army in the third. He scored to make the game 5-2 then set up team leader in points Pavel Zacha to make it 5-3. He looks like he would be a fantastic addition to a playoff team. One has to wonder if his early career value would fetch a return in the same ball park as Blake Coleman — a former first round pick in Cal Foote as well as a 2021 first round pick. Dan Vladar certainly would rather not play against him again.
Vladar can do more
Daniel Vladar didn’t necessarily have a strong game. He saved 23/25 and posted .900. In a game that should have been a confidence booster — he was shook at the end. He sits at .890 over two starts. It can be tough to make the saves you need to when you don’t get consistent shots against throughout the game.
The Flames play the 3-1-2 Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Another 5pm start time.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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