Statistical Breakdown
Team Stats
5v5 Player Stats
Calgary Flames
- For the third straight game, Andrew Mangiapane lead the Flames in even strength CF% at 64.5%
- In only 5:28 of 5v5 ice time, Mark Jankowski had the worst CF% on the night with 33.3%. Travis Hamonic was a close second last with 34.2%
- Following the promotion of Mangiapane to the second line with Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund, the new 3M line posted an impressive 70.8% CF% and created three HDCF in just 10:16 of ice time.
Los Angeles kings
- Sean Walker had the best CF% on the night for the Kings at 65.7%.
- Tobias Bjornfot had a team low 40.0% CF% in 8:46 of ice time.
- Alex Iafallo was absolutely flying on the ice last night, accounting for four iHDCF, and was on the ice for seven HDCF at even strength.
Stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick
Thoughts on the Game
To put it simply, the Flames stole a point in this one. The game started with one some of the worst hockey in recent memory from this Flames team. Advanced analytics aside, the Flames were outscored 2-0, outshot 20-3, and simply outplayed in every aspect of the game. Luckily, David Rittich made some excellent saves in the first frame that kept them in the game and kept the score from getting out of hand.
The second period started with a promotion for Mangiapane to the second line with Backlund and Tkachuk. This turned out to be an excellent move for the Flames, as Mangiapane had an stellar night, carrying the puck confidently into the offensive zone and making sharp passes.
His tenacity led to a forced turnover that resulted in a Tkachuk goal to get the Flames back in the game. Mangiapane’s advanced statistics reflected his strong play, with the best CF% on the team (64.5%). With the Flames looking for offense behind the first line, expect Mangiapane to stay with the second line going forward.
Speaking of Tkachuk, this was an excellent performance for the young Flames star. He finished with two goals and one assist, and his final ice time was 20:25. He benefited from the presence of Mangiapane as well, holding onto the puck more, and chipping it around the ice less. This lead to a personal CF% of 53.85% for Tkachuk; he was a threat in the offensive zone all night.
And of course, Tkachuk did a tremendous job agitating Drew Doughty and the Kings all night. Tkachuk’s friendship tour lead to a few drawn penalties and many of the Kings being more concerned with his antics rather than playing the game.
On a night when the Flames were completely flat, Tkachuk forced his teammates into the game, and scored two huge goals to get the team into overtime, including his unreal game tying goal that will be on highlight reels all season long.
Unfortunately, a bad penalty by Sam Bennett right at the end of regulation led to the man advantage in overtime. This gave the Kings all the momentum, leading to a Doughty power play goal; of course it was him. The Flames were lucky to steal a point in this one, but showed some mental toughness down the stretch of this game, forcing overtime, and salvaging a decent result.
The Gaud, the Bad, and the Ugly
Good: Mangiapane provided a boost to the second line, leading to three goals for that unit, and maybe even earned himself a permanent promotion.
Bad: The first period was awful, and the Flames spotted the Kings a 2-0 lead before the game really started. Also, in what felt like could have been a real breakout game for him, Sam Bennett really struggled in this game, losing his spot on the second line, and committing the penalty that lead to the overtime winner.
Ugly: Doughty getting the last laugh by scoring the overtime winner. Hopefully Tkachuk can avenge his loss in their rivalry in their next meeting.
Next Game
Opponent: Dallas Stars
Record: 1-3-0
Standings: 5th in the Central
Season Series: 0-0-0
Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images
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