The Calgary Flames let a two-goal lead slip away as they fell to the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
CF% &#8211; 50.97%|| SCF% &#8211; 38.58%|| HDCF% &#8211; 29.21%|| xGF% &#8211; 45.34%
It’s a Team Game – The Flames got off to one of their best starts of the season. The first period was completely dictated by whatever Calgary wanted to do, other than scoring goals. Those came in the second period in quick succession. Two goals so swift it sent a message that said the Flames were here and they were not going to back down. That was roughly around the time the Bruins woke up and the Flames proceeded to back down. Calgary got stuck – once again – on three goals and could not find the offence to get the fourth one needed for the win. The hot start was a distant memory by the start of the third period, and the Flames ended up lucky to walk away with a point.
Corsi King – Huberdeau (74.80 CF%) and Kadri (72.06 per cent) continue to be a sparkplug of offence for a team desperate for it. Pospisil (68.79 per cent) was just as vital as Huberdeau and Kadri on number 91’s goal, providing a perfect screen in front of the goaltender allowing the other guys to play with the puck in open space. Calgary’s forward groups are starting to appear to have some regular chemistry for the first time since the first five games of the season. The Kadri line finding their connection in Pittsburgh was just the first step. Joel Hanley (64.24 per cent) got a huge opportunity with Miromanov taking a rotation in the press box and he stood out with multiple great defensive plays.
Under Pressure &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135775" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SP.png" alt="" width="1000" height="1898" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SP.png 1000w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SP-158x300.png 158w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SP-540x1024.png 540w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SP-768x1458.png 768w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SP-809x1536.png 809w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Taken By Chance – It was Weegar (59.46 SCF% || 42.68 HDCF%) and Hanley (58.19 per cent || 42.68 per cent) leading the way with four high danger looks for Calgary. A stark contrast from Bahl (21.40 per cent || 17.99 per cent) and Andersson (17.84 per cent || 17.99 per cent) seeing nine high danger looks go against them. A huge part of that is the responsibility of being the top pair – no matter how the night is going you have to keep going out. David Pastrnak is a very gifted player and him finding scoring areas and creating chances against you is nothing to scoff at. The Bruins ended up with the advantage in this game, that’s okay, on to the next one.
xG Breakdown &#8211; 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135776" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG1.png" alt="" width="693" height="788" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG1.png 693w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG1-264x300.png 264w" sizes="(max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135777" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG2.png" alt="" width="887" height="1142" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG2.png 887w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG2-233x300.png 233w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG2-795x1024.png 795w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG2-768x989.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 887px) 100vw, 887px" />
xGF% &#8211; I have liked what Pelletier (68.96 per cent) has brought. I’m personally comparing his effectiveness to what Kuzmenko had been bringing and it’s not particularly close. Pelletier is more engaged in the play, more responsible defensively, and moves with the Flames five-man unit more effectively. He’s provided some offence in a depth role, Calgary just needs more primary scorers to rise to the occasion. One player I keep waiting on to start scoring in bunches is Connor Zary (58.09 per cent). Visibly he has been the most impressive Calgary Flames forward all year long, but the point production has yet to match up with the shot creation. It feels inevitable – I hope the dam breaks soon.
Game Flow – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135778" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-GF.png 751w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-GF-300x140.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px" />
Game Score –
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> GameScore Impact Card for Calgary Flames on 2024-12-17:
 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/6BSWuC7RHX">pic.twitter.com/6BSWuC7RHX</a>
&mdash; HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) <a href="https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1869241293345357832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Shot Heatmap – 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135779" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SH.png 803w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SH-300x158.png 300w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SH-768x404.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px" />
In The Crease – Despite the loss Dustin Wolf stood tall and delivered another impressive performance. The Flames failed to keep the Bruins from swarming the crease as the game got later and Wolf was always there. The only goals that beat him came off odd bounces or plays where he had made the first save. Sometimes the defenceman needs to be ready to clear the puck to help out his netminder. 2.98 expected goals against at 5v5 with the three goals getting behind him. Nothing to complain about from myself, I thought this was a quality outing for the rookie. 
The Goals &#8211; 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
Matt Coronato scores a beauty! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/HSkHnsMVzH">pic.twitter.com/HSkHnsMVzH</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1869216436172022155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
Nazem Kadri puts the Flames up 2-0!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/jm4HLgazkp">pic.twitter.com/jm4HLgazkp</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1869216883226157261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
RYAN LOMBERG SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL AS A CALGARY FLAME!! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/mKu7iPsy8q">pic.twitter.com/mKu7iPsy8q</a>
&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1869224304749285697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Flash’s 3 Stars – 
1) Nazem Kadri
2) Connor Zary
3) Dustin Wolf
 (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)

The Calgary Flames let a two-goal lead slip away as they fell to the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
CF% - 50.97%|| SCF% - 38.58%|| HDCF% - 29.21%|| xGF% - 45.34%

It’s a Team Game – The Flames got off to one of their best starts of the season. The first period was completely dictated by whatever Calgary wanted to do, other than scoring goals. Those came in the second period in quick succession. Two goals so swift it sent a message that said the Flames were here and they were not going to back down. That was roughly around the time the Bruins woke up and the Flames proceeded to back down. Calgary got stuck – once again – on three goals and could not find the offence to get the fourth one needed for the win. The hot start was a distant memory by the start of the third period, and the Flames ended up lucky to walk away with a point.

Corsi King – Huberdeau (74.80 CF%) and Kadri (72.06 per cent) continue to be a sparkplug of offence for a team desperate for it. Pospisil (68.79 per cent) was just as vital as Huberdeau and Kadri on number 91’s goal, providing a perfect screen in front of the goaltender allowing the other guys to play with the puck in open space. Calgary’s forward groups are starting to appear to have some regular chemistry for the first time since the first five games of the season. The Kadri line finding their connection in Pittsburgh was just the first step. Joel Hanley (64.24 per cent) got a huge opportunity with Miromanov taking a rotation in the press box and he stood out with multiple great defensive plays.

Under Pressure - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135775" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SP.png" alt="" width="1000" height="1898" />

Taken By Chance – It was Weegar (59.46 SCF% || 42.68 HDCF%) and Hanley (58.19 per cent || 42.68 per cent) leading the way with four high danger looks for Calgary. A stark contrast from Bahl (21.40 per cent || 17.99 per cent) and Andersson (17.84 per cent || 17.99 per cent) seeing nine high danger looks go against them. A huge part of that is the responsibility of being the top pair – no matter how the night is going you have to keep going out. David Pastrnak is a very gifted player and him finding scoring areas and creating chances against you is nothing to scoff at. The Bruins ended up with the advantage in this game, that’s okay, on to the next one.

xG Breakdown - 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135776" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG1.png" alt="" width="693" height="788" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135777" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-xG2.png" alt="" width="887" height="1142" />

xGF% - I have liked what Pelletier (68.96 per cent) has brought. I’m personally comparing his effectiveness to what Kuzmenko had been bringing and it’s not particularly close. Pelletier is more engaged in the play, more responsible defensively, and moves with the Flames five-man unit more effectively. He’s provided some offence in a depth role, Calgary just needs more primary scorers to rise to the occasion. One player I keep waiting on to start scoring in bunches is Connor Zary (58.09 per cent). Visibly he has been the most impressive Calgary Flames forward all year long, but the point production has yet to match up with the shot creation. It feels inevitable – I hope the dam breaks soon.

Game Flow – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135778" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-GF.png" alt="" width="751" height="350" />

Game Score –

[embed]https://twitter.com/hockeystatcards/status/1869241293345357832?s=61&amp;t=pfSZpuh5QPqwa9J6NOZbzw[/embed]

Shot Heatmap – 

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-135779" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/G32-vs-BOS-SH.png" alt="" width="803" height="422" />

In The Crease – Despite the loss Dustin Wolf stood tall and delivered another impressive performance. The Flames failed to keep the Bruins from swarming the crease as the game got later and Wolf was always there. The only goals that beat him came off odd bounces or plays where he had made the first save. Sometimes the defenceman needs to be ready to clear the puck to help out his netminder. 2.98 expected goals against at 5v5 with the three goals getting behind him. Nothing to complain about from myself, I thought this was a quality outing for the rookie. 

The Goals - 

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1869216436172022155?s=61&amp;t=pfSZpuh5QPqwa9J6NOZbzw[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1869216883226157261?s=61&amp;t=pfSZpuh5QPqwa9J6NOZbzw[/embed]

[embed]https://twitter.com/ringoffirecgy/status/1869224304749285697?s=61&amp;t=pfSZpuh5QPqwa9J6NOZbzw[/embed]

Flash’s 3 Stars – 

1) Nazem Kadri

2) Connor Zary

3) Dustin Wolf

 (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)

Recent articles from Flash Stevens

Breaking News