Yahoo Sports 3 Takeaways From Flames Disappointing 3-2 Overtime Loss To Senators
The Calgary Flames became the first team to play in 12 overtime games this season, falling to the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Thursday night at the Saddledome.
The loss dropped Calgary to 1-1-2 on their five-game homestand. Jonathan Huberdeau scored his 12th goal of the year, with Blake Coleman notching the home team's other tally. The young kids Matt Coronato and Connor Zary combined for three assists.
Dan Vladar (26 saves) suffered his second consecutive loss between the pipes, dropping his record to 6-6-5 on the season.
The Flames host Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, heading into the Christmas break. Can they avoid the pitfalls that have cost them the last two games?
A Point is a Point
As of Friday morning, no NHL team has played more overtime games in 2024-25 than the Flames, who went to extra time against the Senators, picking up their seventh overtime loss.
Interestingly, Calgary isn't alone in this category, as the New York Islanders and Nashville Predators have also lost seven in overtime.
With one game left, Saturday afternoon against the Chicago Blackhawks, before the Christmas break, the Flames sit one point out of the second wild card spot with a 15-11-7 record and 37 points.
No one expected this. Instead, many projected them to be a contender for a lottery pick. Considering the Blackhawks are the 31st-ranked team in the NHL, it is vital that Calgary shows up and stops leaving the extra point on the scoreboard.
Bad Bounces Can Sum Up Calgary's Homestand
Dustin Wolf played a great game against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night and was on the opposite end of bad bounces. The same could be said about Vladar's performance on Thursday night.
First, defenseman Brayden Pachal kicked out a deflection that went right to Nick Cousins, who tied the game up at 1-1 in the final minute of the opening period. Next, Ridly Greig scored on a shorthanded breakaway after a Nazem Kadri giveaway at the blue line.
Vladar made the first save, but the puck went right back to Greig's stick, and he buried the rebound. However, the misery didn't end there, as Brady Tkachuk tallied the game-winner at 55 seconds on a rebound that just got away from Vladar.
Earlier, Jonathan Huberdeau scored the game-tying goal on a lucky bounce, but for the second straight game, Calgary netminders did everything they could to make saves, but the puck just found its way back to the opponent's sticks and into the back of the net.
Is the Home Cooking Simmering Down?
Only ten teams have secured ten or more wins on home ice, with the Flames one of six to get to 11. However, in their past six home contests at the Saddledome, they are just 2-1-3, with a goal differential of minus-1.
Related: Can Wolf Became Fifth Flames Goalie To Win 20 Home Games In Single Season?
This stretch follows Calgary's perfect 4-0-0 streak from Nov. 15 to 23, during which they beat opponents 11-6 on the scoreboard.
Outside of a 1-2-0 record from Oct. 22 to 26, it is safe to say this may be the worst the Flames have played at home, despite an 11-4-3 record in front of their faithful fans.
As Calgary approaches the final game of a season-high five-game homestand, there will be many road trips in the coming months, so they must finish this part of the schedule strong or risk losing their early-season momentum.
Flames & Senators Trivia Answers
How did you score in our Game Day Trivia quiz? Here are the answers.
Gary Leeman
Johnny Gaudreau
Mike Vernon
Theo Fleury, Elias Lindholm
Mike Vernon
Theo Fleury
Dwayne Roloson
Joe Nieuwendyk
Mikael Backlund
Jarome Iginla
