Calgary Flames Archives

On September 16, 2023

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

It’s been no secret that over the past six seasons, the Pacific Division was regarded as one of the leagues least competitive. Let’s face it, for basically the entirety of the Golden Knights’ existence three or four teams were annually counted out of contention before the puck hit opening night ice. Vegas is the only team to reach the Stanley Cup Final in that span and the Golden Knights became the first Pacific division team to win the Cup since 2014.

Heading into the 2023-24 season, the division looks to play out the same way it did last year. Of course, it’s foolish to eliminate teams before the season begins but would anyone be surprised if Anaheim, San Jose, or Vancouver missed the 2024 playoffs? According to Sportsnet, they wouldn’t be.

Whether it’s a repeat from Vegas, a breakthrough for Edmonton, or something of a Cinderella story from Los Angeles or Seattle, might the 2024 Stanley Cup champion come out of the Pacific Division again? Might this division also house the team that “wins” the first-overall selection? –Sportsnet.ca

According to William Hill, the Pacific Division is expected to be conquered by the Edmonton Oilers (+180), the reigning champions (+210) or the LA Kings (+440) in 2024. The divisional odds are not much different from last season’s expected winners. Vegas came away with division with Edmonton and LA filling out the top three Pacific clubs. As you go further down the list, the prices drastically get larger, suggesting that it would be a major surprise if any team outside of the top three took the division.

Calgary Looking To Chase Down Vegas After Miserable 2022-23

On August 17, 2023

(Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas)

While the Golden Knights were celebrating their franchise’s first Stanley Cup, other teams in the Pacific Division were painfully reviewing their failed seasons. Arguably one of the most disappointing teams in the NHL last year was the reimagined Calgary Flames. The Flames dropped 12 regular season wins and posted 18 fewer points in 2022-23 from the previous year. Let’s just say it was the complete opposite of Vegas’ championship season.

2022-23 Flames vs 2021-22 Flames:

Wins: 2022-23 (38) Regular Season Wins vs. 2021-22 (50) Regular Season Wins
Points: 2022-23 (93) Regular Season Points vs. 2021-22 (111) Regular Season Points
Goal Leaders: 2022-23 – Tyler Toffoli (34) Goals vs. 2021-22 – Matthew Tkachuk & Elias Lindholm (42) Goals
Point Leaders: 2022-23 – Tyler Toffoli (73) Points vs. 2021-22 – Johnny Gaudreau (115) Points
Goaltending: 2022-23 – Jacob Markstrom (.897) Save % vs. 2021-22 (.922) Save %
Team Offense: 2022-23 – (3.15) Goals Scored Per Game vs. 2021-22 – (3.55) Goals Scored Per Game
Team Defense: 2022-23 – (3.01) Goals Scored Per Game vs. 2021-22 – (2.51) Goals Scored Per Game

In 2021-22 the Golden Knights stumbled and landed three points out of the playoffs. Vegas lacked scoring, struggled to keep the puck out of their own net, and couldn’t stay healthy. As many excuses as they could give, Vegas left for the summer with a bitter taste in their mouths. The comments coming out of Calgary suggest a team prepared to erase last season’s lack of success and mimic VGK’s championship run.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3 CALGARY FLAMES 2 (45-21-6, 96 PTS)

On March 23, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights traveled to Calgary to face off against the Flames for a late season divisional battle. The game took some time to settle in, but the Golden Knights took advantage of some loose defense by the Flames later in the period. Jonathan Marchessault did what he does best and gave Vegas the first lead of the game with his 23rd goal of the season. Michael Amadio took advantage of a rush and a rebound to double VGK’s lead to 2-0. After an official review, the Flames had their first goal taken back but they were able to get it back in the final minute of the period. The Golden Knights carried a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission.

The game tightened up in the second period as both teams had limited opportunities. Vegas was outshot 12-8 in the period but were able to stave off the Flames offense. After 40 minutes the Golden Knights held a 2-1 edge.

In his first game back since February 21st, Nic Roy scored to give the Golden Knights some extra padding in the final frame. Roy’s goal gave Vegas a 3-1 third period advantage. The Flames had another goal called back but minutes later they scored to get within one. The Golden Knights killed off a lengthy 6-on-5 to secure a one goal victory.

The Golden Knights’ record improves to 44-21-7 defeating the Flames 3-2 in Calgary. Vegas will take a short trip to Edmonton for a matchup with the Oilers on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: This is one of the better complete games the Golden Knights have played. They exposed the Flames defense with stretch passes and it fed VGK’s dangerous transition. Then, when they got ahead, they had great defensive gaps and made life very difficult on Calgary. The only real issue with the game is the two injuries to Thompson and Smith. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome.

CALGARY FLAMES 7 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 (42-21-6, 90 PTS)

On March 16, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights returned home for their first home game since March 5th. The opening 20 got off to a slow pace but warmed up towards the end of the period. The Flames got on the scoreboard first and held a 1-0 advantage going into the 1st intermission.

Calgary doubled their lead 3:39 into the middle frame. Nine minutes later Zach Whitecloud cut the Flames lead in half to 2-1. Moments later Reilly Smith evened the score with his 23rd goal of the season. Later in the period Calgary regained their lead to 3-2.

Vegas forward Brett Howden committed a costly penalty 7:33 into the final period and the Flames capitalized on the opportunity. Calgary went on to record three more in the final frame to finish off Vegas 7-2.

The Golden Knights’ record drops to 42-21-6 losing to the Flames 7-2. Vegas will have an extra day off and will next face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop against the Blue Jackets is set for 1 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: It took VGK quite a while to get the offense going in this game. They were doing well enough defensively for the first portion of the game but they just didn’t generate much. They did well to use a quick flurry to storm back in, but like many games on the road trip they weren’t the better team for most of the night. Without the early lead, they couldn’t manage to find a way to make it work in this one. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames at T-Mobile Arena.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4 CALGARY FLAMES 3 (35-18-5, 75 PTS) – OT

On February 23, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights hosted the Calgary Flames in an important Pacific Division battle. Vegas committed two early penalties which Calgary took advantage of. The Flames opened the scoring on the power play, carrying a 1-0 edge into the 1st intermission.

Calgary didn’t waste time to double their lead in the middle frame. The Flames took a 2-0 advantage 1:24 into the 2nd period. The Golden Knights got within one after Jack Eichel scored his second power play goal of the season. A couple of minutes later, the Flames regained their two-goal advantage. After 40 minutes VGK trailed 3-1.

Vegas came storming back in the final period. They scored twice, held Calgary to one shot in the period and tied the game 3-3 to force overtime. Alex Pietrangelo completed the comeback with his game-winning goal.

The Golden Knights’ record improves to 35-18-5 defeating the Flames 4-3 in overtime. Next up, Vegas will welcome back former coach Pete DeBoer and his Dallas Stars on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights took quite a while to really catch up to the game and it forced them to overcome a two-goal deficit. However, at the end of the 2nd and into the 3rd they really stepped on the gas pedal. The skating improved, their win-rate on stick battles picked up, and they were more willing to get to the front of the goal. Playing against a tired Flames team, they took advantage of what was there and pulled off their ninth 3rd period comeback of the season. A huge W for the standings. (Analysis by Ken)

https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1vAGRAgMWDNKl
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames at T-Mobile Arena.

T-Mobile Arena Has Been A House Of Horrors For Calgary Flames

On February 23, 2023

In Stats

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

There are only two teams left in the NHL who have yet to win a game at T-Mobile Arena. The only team to have never even recorded a point, the Calgary Flames, are in Vegas tonight.

Calgary’s 0-7-0 record is the worst of any team at T-Mobile Arena, followed by the Florida Panthers and their 0-4-1 mark.

The Flames have been outscored in Vegas 30-8, have been shut out by the Golden Knights three times, and have allowed VGK to score six or more times in three of the seven contests.

Maybe the most incredible stat in the series history at T-Mobile Arena is the fact that in seven games, 420 minutes of hockey, the Flames have held the lead for exactly two minutes and nine seconds. That’s 0.5% of the total time they’ve been on the ice in Vegas.

The Golden Knights have allowed just one 1st period goal in the seven meetings while scoring six. The dominance is even starker in the 3rd period too, VGK have outscored Calgary 13-2 while allowing both goals in the same game, the last time the Flames visited.

The Flames’ power play has converted on just 1 of 15 power play opportunities while the Golden Knights have scored on 5 of 20.

Tonight will mark the second time the Flames have come to T-Mobile on the second night of a back-to-back. The first time, Vegas stomped them to the tune of a 6-0 beatdown including four 3rd period goals. The Flames were also coming from Arizona on that occasion, but unlike last night where they won 6-3, they lost the prior game 3-0 to the Coyotes.

William Karlsson leads the Golden Knights with 10 points (6G, 4A) in the seven home games against the Flames. Karlsson posted a hat trick in March 2018 against the Flames and added a two-goal game in November 2019.

Aside from those two games, no other Golden Knight has scored multiple goals in the same game against the Flames. 18 different Golden Knights have scored at least one home goal against Calgary, but just four will be active tonight. There are 13 Golden Knights who have averaged at least a point per game including five who have participated in at last four games. Karlsson and Smith are the only two who will play tonight.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been in the goal for the Golden Knights in six of the seven contests. Robin Lehner manned the nets for Vegas in the other game. On the other side, David Rittich was on the losing end of four of the seven while Mike Smith, Cam Talbot, and tonight’s expected starter, Jakob Markstrom, each played one.

No matter how you slice it, the Golden Knights have played lights out against the Flames at T-Mobile Arena. Many of the names on each side are different now, but enough still remains that the trend holds weight.

Can the Golden Knights make it eight straight? We’ll find out tonight at 6 on ESPN.

^^This is my way of telling you the game is at a different time and on a different channel tonight.^^

Teams With Opposite Starts To The Season Crash Tonight In Vancouver

On November 21, 2022

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Saturday’s game in Edmonton didn’t end like the Golden Knights had planned. In reality, when superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl score in the same game, picking up a point isn’t half bad. With a win tonight in Vancouver, Vegas will have a chance to return home with three of a possible four divisional points. Not bad for a two game set against Pacific teams scratching and clawing for wins.

At least a point on the road in Edmonton is good. But VGK should have won this game in regulation. Could've used one on the PP.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 20, 2022

Okay, it’s not a five game, eleven day road trip to the East Coast but traveling to Western Canada can be a challenge. Rewind back to last season when the Golden Knights were chasing instead of leading the division. Edmonton and Vancouver pitched in by spoiling Vegas’ 2021-22 playoff dreams. In three crucial games in mid-April, Vegas left Western Canada with on win.

This season the tables have turned. At the moment, Vegas has a 96% chance to qualify for the playoffs, Vancouver has a bleak 21% chance. There’s no sugar-coating it, the Canucks have had a nightmare start to the season. Just picture the complete opposite of the Golden Knights first 19 games. Not only does losing suck but each Vancouver loss is followed with unpleasant questions about coach dismissals, player fire sales and underachieving personnel. From this point going forward Vancouver will have to outperform the entire division for a sniff of a playoff run.

We know who are next opponents are. You keep the shots to the outside. Most of them won’t go in.-Bruce Boudreau, Canucks coach

For the Golden Knights, it’s another opportunity to separate themselves from another club in the Pacific. So far, the Golden Knights have earned at least one point in five of six divisional matchups. If they pick up any more tonight, Vegas will have points against each Pacific team with the exception of Calgary. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until late February for a second battle with the Flames.

CALGARY FLAMES 3 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 (3-1-0 6 PTS)

On October 18, 2022

Recap: The Golden Knights looked to stay undefeated as they traveled to Alberta for a battle with the Calgary Flames. William Carrier gave the road team a quick 1-0 lead scoring his first goal of the season. Later in the period, Brett Howden doubled VGK’s lead 2-0.

The middle frame was plagued with Golden Knights penalties. The Flames were awarded six power plays in the period and evened the score 2-2 with two PP goals.

Calgary broke the tie late in the 3rd period for their first lead of the game. Vegas had a few chances on net but couldn’t score the equalizer.

The Golden Knights drop their first game of the season losing 3-2 in Calgary. Vegas play their next three at home beginning with the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. Puck drop is set for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights got a great goaltending performance, they were gifted a goal by a Markstrom whiffed glove save, and they had multi-goal lead. They were not able to make any of that stand up because they simply were outplayed for the majority of the game. It was the first real test of the season, and they did not pass. But, there were some positives in that game including a great goal by Brett Howden working to get a stick on a shot from the point. (Recap by Ken)

VGK Set To Advance Next Postseason Against Weak Pacific

On May 12, 2022