Game Summary - Late Night Edition

Calgary Flames @ Vegas Golden Nights

What does Calgary bring facing a 5-point playoff spot deficit against a team pushing for home ice in the Western Conference playoffs?

The story in this game really turned into the Flames playing for their playoff lives and answering the call. The Flames jumped out to a quick lead as you would want to see on the road. Vegas, however, is the best team in the west right now and they are going to get their goals. When they do, the question becomes, “how will Calgary answer?” Five unanswered goals are the answer. A really impressive win from the Flames. The parts of the game I was able to watch, the Flames were in control or stopping the Vegas train from getting going. They played with a visible urgency and this was when the game result was still in question. I missed the five-goal run at the end, but what I saw in the highlights, they were flying around the ice like they knew what they were playing for.

I think it helps greatly they had the benefit of knowing the Jets had already lost in regulation and a win would get the Flames within 3 points of the final playoff spot. Add in the fact that Winnipeg is 3-5-2 in their last ten and to be frank, have looked terrible recently, the Flames have to know their moment is now. Winnipeg and Calgary play each other on the 5th of April. Will that game be for control of the 8th playoff spot?

For Vegas, the loss is not ideal. They had built a little bit of room at the top and now a closely packed Western Conference playoff picture is looking to knock them off the top spot. There is a decent chance the Golden Knights will play this same Calgary team in the first round. Will Calgary reference this win in Vegas and use that towards a confidence level that will be buoyed by a “nothing to lose” attitude? One game does not make a series, but a Vegas-Calgary series will have a similar feel to when the Avalanche the Flames in the first round with nothing to lose and they beat a Calgary team who was #1 in the west.

Great and needed win for the Flames.