Beyond the Boxscore: Calgary Flames get moral victory in comeback win against San Jose Sharks

Taken By Chance – Daniil Miromanov (75.96 SCF% // 83.20 HDCF%) has worked very well since his acquisition, especially next to the rock of a defenceman that is MacKenzie Weegar (77.10% // 89.83%). He is just a full offensive package and can navigate his way into soft areas in the attacking zone by simply understanding the coverage the wingers are placing on him. Players that are smart enough to switch positions, adapt accordingly, and still find success are so intriguing. Giving him time to learn and grow – which is why the Flames acquired him – is working out for them. Of all the skaters in the late window that are making impressions on management to try and be involved next year Miromanov is doing the best.

xG Breakdown – 

xGF% – The fourth line found some high-quality opportunities, but I still get frustrated watching Coronato (79.14%) do everything to get into a lethal attacking position only to have his support players be nowhere near where he needs them to be to keep attacking. Instead, we’ll just dump it behind the net and keep cycling forever because getting high danger chances is not the goal? No, I’m sure this is backwards. The kid deserves some partners with a higher offensive awareness than the ones he’s got if the team ever wants him to produce offence like his potential says he can. Kuzmenko (80.32%) has stolen most of the top 6 with powerplay time – and needs to be watched or played with a defensive center at 5v5 for the team to have any chance at success.

Game Flow – 

Game Score –

Shot Heatmap –

In The Crease – The hometown boy was able to lock things up after his defence hung him out to dry for two goals. Both Eklund and MacDonald scored completely unimpeded directly in front of the crease. The goaltender may have thought “here we go again” after the second one went in but the roster in front of him picked up their game and it led to Wolf securing a victory in front of his friends and family. Was it overall a stunning performance – no, but the Sharks lack of ability to attack in the final 40 minutes certainly helped.

The Goals – 

Flashalytic’s 3 Stars – 

1) Andrei Kuzmenko

2) Rasmus Andersson

3) Jonathan Huberdeau

(Stats compiled from Naturalstattrick.com // Game Score from Hockeystatcards.com // xG and Under Pressure charts from HockeyViz.com // Game Flow and Shot Heatmap from NaturalStatTrick.com)