Three takeaways as Flames put in season-best showing to shutout ...

7 days ago

Calgary Herald

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“I thought that line was awesome, they were the most dangerous line for us offensively, they did a really nice job of keeping a really good line in check and they were used in all key situations,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “It kind of sometimes make you think ‘Why did we break them up in the first place?’ because they do play so well together.”

Flames - Figure 1 — Photo Calgary Herald

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While Panthers puck-stopper Spencer Knight, who stopped 24 of 27 shots, could have done better on both Coleman and Backlund’s goals, the Flames will take a little good fortune when it comes their way.

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And that seems to happen more often when those two are together.

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Mikael Backlund #11 of the Calgary Flames celebrates with Blake Coleman #20 after Backlund scored against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on Dec. 14, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Derek Leung/Getty Images

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WOLF’S BIG MOMENT

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As we mentioned earlier, Wolf was exceptional on Saturday night.

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He made every save that was asked of him, but there was one in particular that stands out.

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With the Flames up 2-0 in the third period, Sam Bennett busted out for a breakaway with a head of steam. Wolf stood strong, though, turning away the former Flame. Shortly thereafter, Backlund scored to extend their lead.

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“Huge moment, it’s 2-1 if Sam scores there,” Huska said. “It was a big save, too, it’s not an easy move when Sam’s coming with speed in like that because Sam’s scoring now, he’s a dangerous player. You think of turning points in a game, for sure that was one and it just happened that Backs scored shortly after, but that was a massive moment in the game.”

Flames - Figure 2 — Photo Calgary Herald

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Coleman joked that it was an especially big save because he’d been the one who turned it over, but then immediately heaped praise on his 23-year-old shot-stopper, who is now 9-5-1 on the season with a 2.65 goals-against-average and a .915 save percentage.

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“That’s the kind of goalie he is, especially at home, he’s just been lights-out,” Coleman said. “If you make a mistake he’s there and he’s got your back so he makes that save and Backs puts it away, that’s the way the game goes, you could be looking at a different situation had they found a way to get one there. He just looked really confident and collected all night.”

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Matt Coronato #27 of the Calgary Flames chases the puck against Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on Dec. 14, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Derek Leung/Getty Images

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THE BOO BIRDS FADE AWAY

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For the past two seasons, Matthew Tkachuk’s returns to Calgary with the Florida Panthers have been met by a deafening chorus of boos from the Flames faithful.

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The hurt from him informing the team he wouldn’t re-sign in the summer of 2022, effectively forcing a trade, was still clearly fresh. The scars hadn’t healed.

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Time heals all wounds, though, or so it seems.

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If there was even a small smattering of boos for Tkachuk on Saturday night, this reporter didn’t hear it.

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Maybe it was Tkachuk giving Calgary fans a shoutout immediately after beating the Edmonton Oilers and winning the Stanley Cup back in June, or maybe a part of it is that in the wake of Johnny Gaudreau’s death booing the other player who is most closely associated with the excitement of the late 2010s and early 2020s feels a bit off-putting.

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But it does seem like Flames fans have moved past trying to make Tkachuk feel unwelcome at the Saddledome.

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