Despite the fireworks that the Calgary Flames showed throughout the season, Game 1 was a quiet and defensive effort displayed by the Pacific Division winners. In a 1–0 shutout win on home ice, the Flames showed that they can play whatever type of game presents itself and dominate that style for 60 minutes.
Although there was a small amount of extra curriculars at the end of the first period, the rest of the game was quite tame. The same shouldn’t be said for Game 2.
You can bet the Dallas Stars think they can hang in the game—and potentially steal home ice advantage—with some off ice comments from John Klingberg turning up the heat to a maximum between the two teams.
Round 1, Game 2
Dallas Stars @ Calgary Flames
Scotiabank Saddledome
8PM MDT
Lineups
Calgary Flames
Optional Practice for the Flames on Wednesday. Assumption is the same lineup as Tuesday’s Game 1
Dallas Stars
UPDATE: The Stars made a few change on Thursday morning. The top line stays in tact, but the rest of the forward lines were changed.
Series so far
| Team | CF% | xGF% | SCF% | HDCF% | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Flames | 57.6% | 53.1% | 55.0% | 50.0% | 100.0% |
| Dallas Stars | 42.4% | 46.9% | 45.0% | 50.0% | 96.2% |
The Flames used a dominant first period to lead them to the edge in the stats category. They held the puck more and although scoring chances were low, they had more of them.
The most impressive thing from Game 1 was the performance of the Flames’ fourth line. Milan Lucic, Brett Ritchie, and Trevor Lewis lead the forward group with CF%’s of 80.0%, 77.8%, and 75.0% respectively. They may have played the least amount of 5v5 minutes, but they were absolutely the most impressive part of the Flames’ defensive performance.
Players to watch
Dallas: John Klingberg
With Klingberg and Rasmus Andersson being ejected after the first period, the Stars were without one of their best defencemen. What was more interesting was his comments after the game in response to Andersson:
How will he respond is the better question. Is he going to target Andersson or play his own game? Eyes will be peeled on him all night.
Calgary: Blake Coleman
Blake Coleman had one of the most unfortunate performances in recent memory. He had his head crunched into the boards just minutes into the game and left the ice twice, had two minor penalties, and a disallowed goal.
Despite all that, Coleman was just as advertised when the Flames signed him last summer. The playoffs were built for Coleman and there is no doubt he is going to be a menace yet again tonight.
