The Flames are back, after a tough loss to Winnipeg on Saturday Night, they return to play Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
The first period would start out with the Flames dominating in terms of scoring chances, but Jarry stood tall. The first period would continue this way, With the Penguins slowly evening things out near the end of the period. The second period would start out much the same as the first ended with both teams playing a tight game. Right around the halfway point, a mistake by Ruhwedel would allow Lucic to get loose and as “Loooooch” chants rang down from the stands, he put it 5-hole to put the Flames up 1-0. 12 minutes into the 3rd and aside from Coleman almost having a breakaway but getting interfered with, no call, it really was an uneventful period so far. With just over 7 minutes to go, Micheal Backlund throws a Pens player down to the ice to give the Penguins the first PP of the game. 7 seconds later, Crosby throws a pass in front of the net at about knee height and Guentzel shows off his hand-eye to bat it past Markstrom to tie the game at 1. A few more missed calls against the Flames but that was about it for the 3rd as we go to overtime with the game tied 1-1. An action packed overtime with Tristan Jarry standing on his head the whole 5 minutes, the game stayed tied and we go to shootout. The first four in the shootout can’t score. Johnny Gaudreau and Kris Letang both score nice goals to keep it tied. The next 6 can’t score and then Backlund is able to go top cheese and give the Flames the lead, Mcginn needs to score to keep it going and he cannot and the Flames are able to win in a shootout.
Some really good things shown by the Flames that stood out to me tonight:
Lucic continues to be very effective in the bottom 6, adding another goal tonight which was not a lazy or lucky, it was a very nice play and his good season continues.
The Flames discipline was very good tonight, the Flames have had a good PK this year but still have gotten into penalty trouble on a couple occasions. Aside from a very stupid Backlund penalty, the Flames did very well to keep out of the box.
The Flames first line had another fantastic game sitting at 89GF%, and they continue to show they are one of the best lines in hockey
Another game for the Flames in which they massively outplay the opponent with almost 90% on the Deserve To Win O’Meter. Lucic scores in the second and Backlund in the shootout lead the Flames to 2-1 shootout win over the Penguins. The Flames are back in action Thursday in LA vs the Kings.