3 Takeaways From Flames Loss To Avalanche
The Calgary Flames (30-24-11) are in must-win territory on a nightly basis, but dropped their second consecutive contest on Friday, losing to the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 at the Saddledome.
Despite the loss, the Flames remain in the second wildcard spot but no longer have a game-in-hand over the Vancouver Canucks. Since Calgary doesn't play until Monday, they will spend the weekend scoreboard watching.
Too Little Too Late
In a crucial game, the Flames came out flat. Even though it was a quiet opening period for both teams, as they combined for nine shots, 7-2, the Avalanche struck first at 13:21.
Meanwhile, Calgary didn't do much in the second, giving up the game's second goal at 5:55. Only in the dying minutes did the Flames get any momentum. They ended the period with many shots, which comprised the bulk of their eight. Still, ten shots through 40 minutes isn't part of the recipe for success.
🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥
— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) March 15, 2025
Rasmus Andersson's shot goes off Jonathan Huberdeau's shoulder and in. That crazy bounce makes this a one goal game!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Flames#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/h7xXB60EYN
Once Blake Coleman made it 2-1 at 3:08, a costly miscommunication behind the net allowed the Avalanche to restore their two-goal lead. Jonathan Huberdeau's power-play goal made things interesting in the final four minutes, but a turnover led to an empty net goal and Colorado walked away with two points.
Flames Are Not Ready For Top Seeded Playoff Series
It's no secret that the Flames are the lowest scoring team in the NHL and their goals-per-game average also ranks at the bottom. Against the Avalanche on Friday, the Flames scored less than their 2.55 average, which would make easy pickings in a playoff series.
If the postseason started today, the Flames, as the second-seeded wildcard, would play the Vegas Golden Knights, the fourth-best team in the NHL.
They score 3.35 goals a game and give up 2.70. Both numbers intimidate the Flames and their fan base because the team struggles to score.
Ultimately, on Friday, the Flames showed they are not in the same position as the Western Conference top teams like the Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, or Golden Knights. Although they had moments where they controlled the pace of play, the outcome of this game was never in question.
Once Again, Wolf Can Only Do So Much
Dustin Wolf finished his night with 24 saves on 27 shots, good enough for a .889 SV%, the lowest total in a game...since a loss to the Avalanche on Feb. 6, when he registered a .882 SV%.
Any contending team wants to ride their top goalie every night to climb the standings and clinch a playoff spot in the Flames' case.
Dustin Wolf is built different pic.twitter.com/QpCfuGOJLz
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 15, 2025
However, Calgary hasn't done enough to support their young netminder, who just played his 40th game of the season for a career high. He may have played over 50 games in the AHL, but the NHL is a more competitive league and boasts some of the best players on the planet.
At this point, Wolf has worked his way into the Calder Trophy conversation, and many feel he should be a Hart Trophy candidate, but he's a one-person show with little to no help.
With everything on the line on Friday, Wolf did everything he could to keep his team in the game, but with not much going on at the other end of the ice, it's been a difficult stretch for the youngster who remains one of the league's top netminders.
-
Parker Kelly scores 2 as Avalanche beat Flames 4-2 to move to 7-0-1 in last 8 games
Parker Kelly scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2ABC News - 1d -
Parker Kelly scores 2 as Avalanche beat Flames 4-2 to move to 7-0-1 in last 8 games
Parker Kelly scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Friday night. Ryan Lindgren and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for Colorado, which has points in eight straight ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Flames & Wranglers Busy Adjusting Rosters
The Calgary Flames (30-23-11) play the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night, ending a three-game homestand before their final trip to the East Coast next week.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Calgary Flames Recall Dryden Hunt From AHL
The Calgary Flames have recalled forward Dryden Hunt from the Calgary Wranglers, it was announced Friday.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Flames: No Update On Captain's Injury
Not only did the Calgary Flames lose to the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in a shootout, but they lost their captain Mikael Backlund to an upper body injury in the first period.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Flames' Connor Zary suspended 2 games for elbowing Canucks' Elias Pettersson
Calgary forward Connor Zary was suspended two games without pay Thursday for elbowing Vancouver defenseman Elias Pettersson during the Canucks' 4-3 shootout victory over the Flames. Zary was ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Injured Flames forward Backlund week-to-week
Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund is week-to-week with an upper-body injury, the team announced Friday.ESPN - 1d -
The 3-pointer: Takeaways from No. 5 Alabama's loss to No. 4 Florida
Alabama was unable to keep up its first-half momentum in a 104-82 loss to No. 4 Florida is on Saturday. The wheels came off for the Crimson Tide in the second half after a strong opening 20 ...Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Breaking Down Avalanche's Remaining Schedule -- And Their Chances At Rising In Hyper-Competitive Central Division
The Colorado Avalanche have been one of the NHL's toughest teams of late, going 10-3-1 since Jan. 28. That stretch of hockey has allowed the Avs to vault over the Minnesota Wild for third place in ...Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea are going to sell 7-8 players this summer
It sounds like it is going to be another busy summer at Chelsea, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the club are looking to sell 7-8 players.The new comes after Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 on Thursday ...Yahoo Sports - 30m -
McLaren driver Lando Norris wins Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton places 10th
Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Formula 1: Lando Norris wins wet Australian Grand Prix to open the 2025 season
Norris won from the pole. But it was hardly a straightforward win.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Kings face the Grizzlies on 4-game skid
Yahoo Sports - 45m -
Jokic leads Denver against Golden State after 40-point game
Yahoo Sports - 45m
More in Sports
-
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 10m -
Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea are going to sell 7-8 players this summer
It sounds like it is going to be another busy summer at Chelsea, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the club are looking to sell 7-8 players.The new comes after Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 on Thursday ...Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Houston beats 'Zona for Big 12 title, eyes 1-seed
Second-ranked Houston turned up its trademark defense in the final minute to hold on for a 72-64 victory over Arizona in the Big 12 tournament championship game Saturday night.ESPN - 34m -
St. John's wins first Big East tourney since '00
The No. 1 seed coming into the tournament played like it all week at Madison Square Garden, as coach Rick Pitino and his St. John's Red Storm secured their first Big East title since 2000, and will ...ESPN - 34m -
Vikings acquiring RB Mason in trade with 49ers
The Vikings added a young veteran running back to pair with starter Aaron Jones, landing Jordan Mason in a trade with the 49ers.ESPN - 34m