The Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens engaged in an intense battle on Saturday night, trading blows both offensively and physically. Despite defensive lapses, rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf showcased his skill by making crucial saves, ultimately securing a 5-2 victory over the Canadiens. The Flames, although flawed defensively, benefited from some fortunate bounces and hard work, alongside exceptional goaltending from Wolf.
Captain Mikael Backlund, influenced by a recent meeting with Ryan Huska, led by example by scoring the first two goals, giving the Flames a 2-0 lead. The team then focused on solid defensive play, capitalizing on opportunities to extend their lead, with Martin Pospisil adding a third goal.
Pospisil also made his presence felt with physicality, although he found himself penalized for an altercation with Montreal’s captain, Nick Suzuki. Despite the penalty, the disruption caused by Pospisil contributed to the Flames’ momentum.
Newcomer Daniil Miromanov also made an impact with his offensive contributions, scoring his second goal in five games with the Flames, showcasing promising potential.
However, there were concerns within the team. The Flames relied heavily on goaltending to bail them out of defensive lapses, highlighting a need for improvement in their overall defensive play. Additionally, while Nikita Okhotiuk demonstrated physical prowess and skating ability, his decision-making with the puck showed room for improvement.
Yegor Sharangovich, although contributing an assist, had a subpar performance, particularly struggling in faceoffs against the Canadiens. This struggle was echoed by other Flames players, emphasizing an area for improvement in their game.