Flames bested by Rangers in goaltending duel

Midway through the frame, Jakob Pelletier got clobbered by Jacob Trouba inside the Calgary blueline along the boards. Pelletier had to be helped onto the bench, favouring his left shoulder – the one he had surgery on in the fall. He headed to the Flames’ locker room at a TV timeout and didn’t return.

First period shots were 11-6 Rangers (6-5 Rangers at five-on-five) and, via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances 11-5 Rangers (high-dangers were 6-1 Rangers).

The second period was a bit more even, as the Flames figured out their counter-punch game a bit and ended up getting some good scoring chances.

But the Rangers found a way to finally solve Markstrom on their 20th shot of the game. Oliver Kylington got caught up ice on a pinch, after the Flames lost the puck inside the offensive blueline. Kaapo Kakko’s rush chance on Markstrom was stopped, but Will Cuylle jammed in the loose rebound to give the Blueshirts a 1-0 lead.

Second period shots were 13-10 Flames (10-6 Rangers at five-on-five) and five-on-five scoring chances were 12-8 Rangers (high-dangers were 6-5 Rangers).

The Flames made a good push throughout the third period, but couldn’t bury their chances – and they had a lot of high-quality chances.

Jimmy Vesey added an empty netter late after stripping Noah Hanifin of the puck in the Flames’ zone to give the Rangers a 2-0 victory.

Third period shots were 11-10 Flames (9-8 Flames at five-on-five) and five-on-five scoring chances were 11-8 Flames (high-dangers were 4-3 Flames).

Why the Flames lost

The Flames were slightly out-played throughout this game, but managed to keep it close and didn’t let the Rangers fully pull away. But the Rangers managed to cash in on one more chance than the Flames did, and that was basically the difference. This was a really close, tight, physical game.

Red Warrior

It’s gotta be Markstrom, but the Pospisil-Kadri-Zary line was excellent.

Turning point

It’s gotta be Cuylle’s goal, which gave the Rangers a lead their never relinquished.

This and that

This was Kevin Rooney’s first game back in Madison Square Garden after leaving the Rangers as a free agent in the 2022 off-season.

Up next

The Flames (25-23-5) are headed home! They’re back in action on Saddledome ice on Tuesday night when they host the San Jose Sharks.