Game Context

As the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues faced off, both teams had their eyes firmly set on the playoff picture. The Flames, holding onto the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference, were desperately trying to fend off challenges from teams like the Vancouver Canucks, who were trailing just one point behind them. Conversely, the Blues, having won their previous matchup against the Flames just two nights before and looking to close the gap, were hunting for every possible point to bolster their playoff aspirations. Despite recent victories, both teams had been mired in inconsistency during the season, making this game crucial for maintaining momentum.

Game Story

From the get-go, it was clear that the Blues were determined to replicate their recent success against the Flames. The first period was a nightmare for Calgary; their defensive breakdowns led to Braden Chen scoring two early goals, while Colton Pareko added a third, giving St. Louis an early 3-0 lead. The Flames attempted to claw back in the second period, with Yegor Sharangovich finally breaking through against Joel Hofer to make it 3-1. However, a goal by Jordan Kyrou on the power play re-established a three-goal cushion for the Blues. As frustrations mounted, Calgary failed to mount a sustained response, leading to lost opportunities and more defensive lapses. A brawl broke out late, reflecting the Flames' frustrations, but it offered little more than a distraction from the score.

St. Louis Blues Performance

• Offence:
  The Blues showcased an effective offense, capitalizing on mistakes by the Flames to score four goals.
• Defence:
  St. Louis’ defense contained the Flames, allowing only one goal and frustrating their attempts to establish an offensive rhythm.
• Special Teams:
  The Blues went 1-for-1 on the power play and did not allow a goal on their penalty kill, showing great execution on special teams.
• 5 on 5 Performance:
  At even strength, the Blues dictated play, with solid puck management and forechecking disrupting Calgary's attack.
• Goaltending:
  Joel Hofer was solid between the pipes, making crucial saves when needed and ensuring no rebounds were left untended.
• Lines Formations:
  The chemistry between the line combinations, especially between Kyrou, Chen, and Thomas, was evident as they created multiple scoring opportunities.

St. Louis Blues performance vs Calgary Flames on Jan. 16, 2025

4

Goals

29

Shots

9

PIM

1

PPG

Calgary Flames Performance

• Offence:
  Offensively, the Flames struggled to develop chemistry and generate consistent scoring chances. Their only goal came late in the second period.
• Defence:
  Calgary’s defensive awareness was lacking, especially in the first period, leading to easy scoring chances for the Blues.
• Special Teams:
  The Flames' power play was ineffective, failing to convert their lone opportunity, while their penalty kill allowed a goal.
• 5 on 5 Performance:
  Calgary found themselves chasing for too long, failing to establish sufficient puck possession and offensive zone time.
• Goaltending:
  Dustin Wolf had a rough outing, facing 31 shots and giving up four goals, though he made some key saves to keep the Flames in the game.
• Lines Formations:
  The line configurations were muddled, with Kevin Rooney riding the pine for most of the game, suggesting a need for re-evaluation in how they deploy their forwards.

Calgary Flames performance vs St. Louis Blues on Jan. 16, 2025

1

Goals

29

Shots

13

PIM

0

PPG

Game Rating: 2/5

The game saw a total lack of energy from the Flames in the first period, digging them into a hole that they struggled to escape. Despite a stronger second period and a glimpse of life in their only goal, the Flames' inability to close the gap and the Blues' resilience cemented a disappointing outing for Calgary fans. The physicality at the end offered some excitement, but it wasn’t enough to save the game from being a largely frustrating affair. The night belonged to the Blues, who capitalized on Calgary's miscues, and gave their fans a robust performance to celebrate.