The St. Louis Blues will host the Calgary Flames again on Thursday to complete an unusual two-game series featuring a postseason vibe.
There is a good reason for that atmosphere: The Flames, Blues and Vancouver Canucks are battling for the final playoff spot in the potential Western Conference playoff bracket.
In the first game between the sides on Tuesday in St. Louis, the Blues defeated the Flames 2-1 on Radek Faksa’s third-period deflection goal.
Calgary has 49 points and Vancouver has 48, with the Blues sitting at 46. The Flames and Canucks have played two fewer games than the Blues, so St. Louis is playing catch-up.
“It was good, a good start,” said Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, who scored in the first minute on Tuesday to give him three goals in his past five games. “I think we played a pretty good 60 minutes, obviously a close game. We knew it was going to be a tight one with (the) standings and where everyone is. Kind of a mini playoff series, if you will. I thought we played a good game. Nice to win a close game.”
Blues coach Jim Montgomery was pleased with his team’s competitive level, which has fluctuated since he replaced Drew Bannister as coach in late November.
“It was really good,” Montgomery said. “I thought guys sacrificed and I thought our sticks were really good all night. On the penalty kill, five-on-five, in the D-zone. And I just liked the way we were able to win a 2-1 game, a low-scoring game, because we had to play hard.”
Flames coach Ryan Huska was similarly pleased with his team’s effort, given the fact Calgary played the night before in Chicago, logging a 5-2 victory over the Blackhawks.
“I thought it had the makings of a good road game for us, in a back-to-back situation,” Huska said following the Tuesday contest. “We made a mistake with the puck in the third period leaving our zone and there’s a turnover they’re able to capitalize on (it), and tonight that was the difference in the game.”
The Flames are 7-4-2 in their past 13 games to gain ground in the playoff chase. The had a three-game winning streak end Tuesday.
The Blues have failed to win more than two games in a row all season.
Dan Vladar played in goal for Calgary on Tuesday, so the Flames are likely to come back with No. 1 netminder Dustin Wolf on Thursday. Wolf, who has won his last three starts, has a 2.00 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in four starts this month.
The Flames figure to make some other adjustments for the second half of the series.
“There’s a few things we’ll look at that I think we can do a better job with,” Huska said. “We had zone time, but I think we have to find some ways to generate more quality chances.”
The Blues are likely to start Jordan Binnington in goal again. He made 27 saves on Tuesday, and he is 8-1 with a .909 save percentage and a 2.96 GAA in 10 career appearances against the Flames.
–Field Level Media
