On a thrilling Thursday night, the Calgary Flames clinched a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers, thanks to Connor Zary’s crucial goal in the third period. Matt Coronato and Yegor Sharangovich contributed significantly with each adding a goal and an assist to the Flames’ tally. MacKenzie Weegar demonstrated some impressive playmaking skills with three assists.
Jonathan Huberdeau Achieves Milestone, Dustin Wolf Shines Between the Pipes
Jonathan Huberdeau, another star for the Flames, hit a significant milestone by bagging his 500th career assist. In the net, Dustin Wolf stood tall, blocking 27 shots, marking his third consecutive victory.
For the Rangers, Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle found the back of the net in a quick succession of just 16 seconds in the second period. Despite the loss, it’s worth noting that this is only the second road game the Rangers have lost this season. Goalie Igor Shesterkin remained resilient, saving 46 shots.
Key Play: Zary’s Game-Changing Goal
The game-changing moment came at 10:34 of the third period when Zary, who had been active on the ice throughout the game, shrugged off a challenge from Kaapo Kakko. He managed to lift the puck over Shesterkin, scoring what would be the game-winning goal.
Takeaways from the Game
The Flames showcased their best first period of the season, outshooting the Rangers 20-5. Despite this, they held only a slim one-goal lead heading into the second period. Their power play, which had been lackluster in November, came alive and produced an essential goal for the second game in a row.
The Rangers, on the other hand, relied heavily on their goalkeeper Shesterkin to keep them in the game. Their progress was hindered by four penalties within the first 29 minutes, stalling their momentum.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The Flames achieved a feat of 20-plus shots in the first period for the first time since October 25, 2022, when they registered a similar number against Pittsburgh.
What’s Next for Flames and Rangers?
The Flames will be looking to continue their winning streak at home against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The Rangers will conclude their four-game road trip on the same day, facing off against the Edmonton Oilers.
