Flames Visual Recap 26: Flames blow 3-1 lead in disappointing loss to Sharks

The Calgary Flames wrapped up a four-game road trip against the San Jose Sharks. With a 2-1 record on their trip so far, this game was the one that would determine if they went home with a winning record or not. Already dropping their first game against the Sharks, the Flames looked to even the season series and head home on a high note.

Game recap

The Flames played an exceptionally strong game right from the drop of the puck. Dillon Dube opened the scoring just under two minutes into the first period off a nice assist from Milan Lucic. Lucic and Dube skated alongside Sean Monahan on a new-look third line that played very well in this game.

Tomas Hertl even things up for the Sharks with a power play marker midway through the first. The Flames managed to answer back off a nifty goal from Johnny Gaudreau to finish the first period with a 2-1 lead. Second periods have been the Flames’ worst so far this season, and on the road it is even tougher to have a strong second period.

The Flames started the period strong again with Adam Ruzicka scoring his first NHL goal to give the Flames a 3-1 lead. It looked like they were in control of the game and Adin Hill had to make several key saves to keep the Sharks in it.

Those saves paid off in spades though, as the Sharks stormed back with three straight goals from Erik Karlsson, Logan Couture, and Hertl again to grab their first lead of the game. The Sharks entered the second intermission up 4-3, and that’s essentially where the game would end.

The Flames pushed back in the third but could not beat Hill. Hertl added an empty netter to complete his hat-trick and send the Flames home with a 2-2 record on their road trip.

Up next is a two-game homestand that opens with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Game visualizations are below!