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Franchise History on the Line When Flames Take on Kraken
The Calgary Flames, looking blazing so far this season, are set to pursue establishment history when they face the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night in Seattle. Calgary has dominated its initial four matches, tying an establishment record for the best beginning to a season, and will mean to stretch out that streak to five successes — an accomplishment that would break records set in 1993-94 and 2009-10.
Flames Soaring
The Flames are falling off a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, pushed by Matt Coronato’s two goals and goaltender Dustin Wolf’s heavenly 31-save execution. Wolf, who has ventured into the spotlight following the offseason exchange of Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils, has been a huge part of Calgary’s early success.
Wolf, a long-lasting possibility inside the Flames’ association, brags a .944 save rate and a 2.02 goals-against average (GAA) through two beginnings this season, putting forth major areas of strength for a to turn into the Flames’ go-to goalie. His inspiration was uplifted against the Blackhawks by the presence of star new kid on the block Connor Bedard.
“You see a guy like Bedard over there, who’s the next big thing, it’s rewarding to go out there and shut him down,” Wolf said. “At the end of the day, we’re trying to get wins, and we’re off to a good start.”
Calgary head coach Ryan Huska emphasized that the Flames have been a tougher team to play against this season. A combination of timely goals and strong defensive play has led to their early success.
“We’ve had goaltending, that’s a start for us, we’ve had some timely goals that we’ve been able to score, and I think the guys are committed to playing the right way away from the puck,” Huska said.
Coronato’s performance also played a crucial role in Calgary’s win over Chicago, and his confidence continues to grow as he gains trust within the lineup.
“I want to be able to help this team win in any kind of situation. I want to be trusted,” Coronato said after the game. “My goal is just to help the team win, and do that any way I can, so it feels good.”
Kraken Heating Up
The Seattle Kraken, in the interim, are likewise coming into Saturday’s matchup with force, having won three of their last four games. They most as of late crushed the Philadelphia Flyers 6-4 on Thursday, with Jared McCann contributing an objective and two helps. This followed a 7-3 drubbing of the Nashville Hunters on Tuesday, where seven distinct players scored for Seattle.
The Kraken’s new hostile blast has seen commitments from numerous lines, something lead trainer Dan Bylsma accepts is the way in to their prosperity.
“I think there’s a belief that the strength of the team is in the depth of our four forward lines and six or seven defensemen,” Bylsma said. “Where we’re going to be as a successful team is in having a pack mentality. A group mentality. And everybody’s going to have a chance to chip in and do their thing.”
McCann echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of team depth and consistency, while also acknowledging that the team won’t always score six or seven goals per game.
“We’re not going to score six or seven goals every single game, but I think we can do a better job of just focusing and keeping the puck out of our net,” McCann said.
Seattle could face a challenge in the defensive zone if defenseman Vince Dunn is unavailable. Dunn left Thursday’s game against Philadelphia after an awkward fall and missed Sunday’s contest against the Dallas Stars with an upper-body injury. His absence could test Seattle’s defensive depth, especially against Calgary’s high-powered offense.
A Clash in the Pacific
The Flames currently sit atop the Pacific Division standings with an unbeaten record, while the Kraken have surged into a tie for second place, just two points behind Calgary. Both teams are looking to solidify their positions in the competitive Pacific Division, and Saturday’s contest could have significant implications down the road.
Calgary’s balanced attack and strong goaltending will be put to the test against Seattle’s depth and offensive resurgence. The Kraken’s ability to generate scoring from multiple lines has been a key factor in their recent success, but they will need to maintain defensive discipline to contain the Flames’ quick-strike offense.
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Key Players to Watch
For Calgary:
- Matt Coronato: With a two-goal performance against Chicago, Coronato has emerged as a key offensive weapon for the Flames.
- Dustin Wolf: The young goaltender has been a revelation early in the season and will need another strong performance to keep Calgary’s streak alive.
For Seattle:
- Jared McCann: McCann has been a major contributor to the Kraken’s recent offensive surge and will be a critical player against Calgary’s defense.
- Vince Dunn (if available): Seattle will hope to have Dunn back in the lineup, as his presence would shore up a blue line that will face a tough test from the Flames.
Final Thoughts
With franchise history on the line for Calgary, the Flames are motivated to extend their perfect start to the season. Meanwhile, Seattle aims to continue its strong form and challenge for the top spot in the Pacific Division. The clash between these two in-form teams promises to be an entertaining and high-stakes affair.
