The Calgary Flames are locked in a tight playoff race, which made Wednesday night's come-from-behind 3-2 overtime win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets that much more important.
Entering the contest, interim head coach Geoff Ward's squad was sitting five points behind the second-place Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division and, precariously, one point ahead of the Vancouver Shaun Wade Jerseys Canucks, who satin the Western Conference's first wild-card spot; however, they arein control aftergetting seven of a po sible 10 points on their recent five-game road trip and with playing 11 of their last 15 games at home.
They eventually skating away with the victory, but it was not easy.Here are two bigtakeaways from the Flames' 35th win of the season
NHL power rankings:
The Flames are not a first-period teamBefore the game, Calgary was tied for 21st in the NHL with five teamsfor the worst goal differential Carl Davis Jerseys in the first period(minus-7). They ranked 12th for fewest goals scored (55) and 12th for most goals allowed (62).
It was no shock, then, that the Flames trailed 2-0 after the first 20 minutes, with the second goal coming off a turnover in the neutral zone.With the two tallies, the Flames are now tied for second in the NHL for most goals allowed in the first period at home.
"I didn't think we were particularly sharp, as sharp as we needed to be at the start" was how Ward Isaiah Wynn Jerseys framed it.
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NHL (@NHL)Luckily for him, his group picked up the pace in the second Gino Cappelletti Jerseys and third periods to eke out the OT win. Getting out to better starts will be key for this team;however, it should be noted that the Blues allowed the most goals against in the first period (24) during last year's playoffs while only scoring 23 and well, they still won the Stanley Cup.
Cam Talbot should be the starterDespite allowing the two early goals, Talbot was solid in net again. He stopped 20 of22 Columbus shots.
That has been the norm of late for the veteran, whosince the last edition of the Battle of Albertaon Feb. 1, where he , ranks second in Jarrett Stidham Jerseys fewest goals allowed (17) and in the top 20 in save percentage among netminders who have played a minimum of seven games.
Flames' goaltender stats after Feb. 1PLAYERGPGSRECORDGASv%Cam Talbot764-3-017.917David Rittich994-3-127.898Talbot has also posted better numbers compared to All-Star goalie David Rittich since the calendar flipped to 2020 including two shutouts.
Goaltender stats since Jan. 1PLAYERGPGSRECORDGASv%Cam Talbot13118-3-131.921David Rittich15157-6-147.896The Flames have played 11 home games since Jan. 1, with Talbot getting the majority of the starts. Although neither goalie has been impre sive in front of the Saddledome faithful this calendar year or the entire season, to be honest with 10of the team'slast 14 games at home, it would be smart to ride Talbot'shot hand with a playoff berth on the line.
Goaltender stats sinceJan. 1 at homePLAYERGPGSRECORDGASv%Cam Talbot1085 Justin Bethel Jerseys -3-130.893David Rittich330-2-013.812
