The Calgary Flames will look to start a win-streak tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Let’s check out how this game went down.
The Calgary Flames are looking to continue their energy and momentum from Wednesday evening. After a strong win against the Buffalo Sabres, they’ll look to extend their win-streak tonight against the Ottawa Senators.
With 14 games remaining for the Flames, they need to win at least 10 of them at this point to make the playoffs. They’ll have to continue without Mike Smith and Kris Versteeg, however, both seem close to returning. Smith as early as Sunday can return.
Mark Jankowski and Sam Bennett were a big factor on Wednesday. They each had a goal and an assist and will hopefully continue that tonight and continue contributing that secondary scoring. The Flames need that with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan somewhat quieting down when it comes to goal-scoring.
David Rittich will get the start tonight. He was phenomenal in the 5-1 win against the Sabres and was 17 seconds away from his first career shutout. On the other side of the rink, Mike Condon will be between the pipes tonight against the Sens. He hasn’t gotten a win in over a month. Let’s hope the Flames continue to keep him off that win column.
Related Story: Flames win in Buffalo as Sabres spoil Rittich's shutout
All this being said, let’s check out how this game went down.
First period
The first period started out with some quick end-to-end action followed by great pressure by the Calgary Flames. After continuous pressure and not letting the Sens clear, the Flames managed to get an early lead with a goal from Sam Bennett. The refs looked at this one, not for too long though, and they ruled it a good goal. That’s a Bennett goal streak!
It was clear that they definitely continued with the energy they had in the game in Buffalo, which is exactly what the team was hoping for.
Halfway through the period, it was clear who the better team was. The Flames were already outshooting the Sens 9-2 and had more than double the number of shot attempts and triple the amount of scoring chances. They were taking the pucks away, not letting the Sens get chances, and not letting the Sens clear the zone.
Throughout the rest of the period, the Sens had a little more pushback, but nothing that was too dangerous. This period ended 1-0 for the Flames where they also outshot the Sens 15-9 and had 13 scoring chances compared to just five for the Sens.
Second period
Calgary Flames
The second period started out with the same kind of energy from the Calgary Flames as they had in the first. A couple minutes in, the Sens started to get their energy and were getting some decent chances. There was some good end to end action from both teams.
The Sens got the first powerplay of the game and while they got a couple of good chances and great save by David Rittich later, this penalty was killed. The Flames attacked right when their penalty ended but Mike Condon decided to step up. We’re still at a one-goal game.
After that, the Sens again brought some energy and they were definitely outplaying the Flames this period. Shortly after, the Flames went on the powerplay and while they had some early chances, it’s still a one-goal game.
The second period ended with the Flames outshooting the Senators 10-9 and with an even amount of shot attempts at 5v5 for both teams. Looks like the Flames will have to bring more work in the third period to ensure the Sens can’t set up as much.
Third period
After an evenly played second period, the Calgary Flames came out with more jump to start the third. Throughout the game, there was some end-to-end action but the Flames definitely had more of the edge. They had some great chances and a couple hit the post. Stupid post.
After a post for the Senators this time, the Flames went the other way and with a great pass from Curtis Lazar to Matt Stajan a little bit past the midway mark, it’s a two-goal game. Matty Franchise baby!
Shortly after, the Flames went on the PK and of course, none other than Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik with a shorthanded chance, which resulted in a Sens penalty and we’ve got some 4on4 hockey.
Johnny Gaudreau gave the puck away in the offensive zone which resulted in a breakaway chance for Jean-Gabriel Pageau. In an attempt to stop him, Dougie Hamilton tried a little too hard and it resulted in a penalty shot for Pageau. And of course, because David Rittich can’t have anything nice, they score. It’s a one-goal game again with seven minutes left.
After that goal, we had INTENSE end-to-end action for a good three minutes. I was literally sweating during that whole sequence. The Sens had LOTS of chances and Rittich had to make a couple of sharp saves, as did Condon at the other end.
Man, that was an intense last six-seven minutes of the game. The Calgary Flames outshot the Senators 37-30 and win this one 2-1. They got five of a possible six points on this road trip and Rittich was incredible in these last two games.
Next: Flames Roundtable - Post-trade deadline, playoff hopes
The Flames are inching their way closer to a playoff spot and while it’s still a bit of a reach, there is still a chance.