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Calgary Flames take charge early
In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, the Calgary Flames showcased their determination with a decisive 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The Flames, driven by Mikael Backlund’s first-period goal, established an early lead that they maintained throughout the game.
This win is particularly significant as it brings Calgary closer to securing a wild-card spot in the Western Conference playoffs, with just three games remaining in the regular season.
Key players step up for Calgary
Calgary’s offensive prowess was on full display, with contributions from Yegor Sharangovich, Nazem Kadri, and Ryan Lomberg, who each found the back of the net.
The Flames have now earned points in five consecutive games, boasting a record of 3-0-2 during this stretch. With this victory, Calgary is just three points behind both St. Louis and Minnesota, who currently occupy the coveted wild-card positions.
The Flames are also in a favorable position with a game in hand, making their playoff aspirations more attainable.
Defensive resilience shines through
While the Flames’ offense stole the spotlight, their defense also played a crucial role in the victory.
Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, starting his sixth consecutive game, made 16 saves, improving his record to 27-16-8. The Flames’ penalty kill, which has struggled throughout the season, has shown remarkable improvement since the 4 Nations break, successfully killing off 15 of 16 power-play opportunities in their last nine games.
This defensive resilience was evident when Minnesota had back-to-back power plays late in the second period but could only muster two shots on goal.
Looking ahead
As the Flames prepare for their next challenge against the San Jose Sharks, they will be keeping a close eye on the out-of-town scoreboard.
With the Wild facing the Vancouver Canucks and the Blues visiting Seattle, Calgary’s playoff fate could hinge on these games. The Flames have swept the season series against the Wild for the first time since 2016-17, and they will aim to carry this momentum into their final games of the season.
