Beyond the Boxscore: Calgary Flames a complete step behind Colorado Avalanche

Taken By Chance – Every single Flames player surrendered at least 1 high danger chance against at 5v5. Weegar (36.51 SCF% // 24.36 HDCF%) led the way with over 5 against him, but also was the only one who wasn’t on the ice when a 5v5 goal was scored. What does it mean? In my interpretation it just means Weegar survived the slow start and was one of those who picked it back up later in the game after the Avalanche decided they could look forward to the next game. Amongst all the defencemen and different pairings both Joel Hanley (48.16% // 81.75%) and Brayden Pachal (59.68% // 81.75%) only saw one high danger look each. The Avs scored on that, because of course they did, but they were not sinking. In fact the new guys really weren’t the issue at all – the issue really just was as simple as the Avalanche have more skill.

xG Breakdown – 

xGF% – Shout-out to two veterans who I thought played alright. Nazem Kadri (60.59%) and Jonathan Huberdeau (63.74%) got put together in the second period and I really liked what I saw out of them. They didn’t generate a ton, but I lost expectations for anyone generating anything specifically dangerous after the score hit 6-2. I think they had “Mr. Crash and Bang” Martin Pospisil (52.14%) on their wing. A month or so ago I questioned his offensive output and his spot in the lineup, not his place on the roster because that’s as solid as solid can be, but where he should be playing and how many minutes. Ever since then his game has taken another step and he really is noticeable every time he’s out there. Seriously he’s the guy throwing the body. Still want a little more offensive pop, but he’s growing better than anyone ever hoped.

Game Flow – 

Game Score –

Shot Heatmap – 

In The Crease – I don’t think the Flames left their goaltender out to dry – For about the fourth time in here I just think the Avs were overall a better team. There were some bad angle goals on Vladar – Rantanen and Mackinnon were bad angle and high – we can talk about the skill level of those two all day, but I still think that was a hole in Vladar the Avalanche identified and exposed. 6 goals against, 2 medium danger and 3 low danger, on just 1.94 expected goals against. Oh yeah just 40 minutes too.

Time to get Wolf a stretch of 3+ games to get a rhythm, unless under 5% chances at the playoffs are how organizations operate. For what it’s worth I think the coach goes with the reliable veteran up until the day those odds are 0.0%.

The Goals – 

Flashalytic’s 3 Stars – 

1) Daniil Miromanov

2) MacKenzie Weegar

3) Jonathan Huberdeau

(Stats compiled from Naturalstattrick.com // Game Score from Hockeystatcards.com // xG and Under Pressure charts from HockeyViz.com // Game Flow and Shot Heatmap from NaturalStatTrick.com)