The Calgary Flames have impressed through their first 22 games of the season, and their strong third periods are a big reason why.
As recently mentioned, the Flames have had trouble playing with the lead this season. They often seem to find themselves trailing in games, only to claw their way back.
We nearly saw this in their most recent game versus the Ottawa Senators, where they trailed 4-2 in the third period but got a late goal from Nazem Kadri to make things interesting. They ultimately were not able to pull off the comeback, but it was yet another of many third-period goals for this team.
As per Sportsnet Stats, 29 of the Flames’ 58 goals this season have come in the third period. That 50% clip is the highest of all 32 NHL teams.
#Flames have scored an NHL-high 50.0% of their goals this season in the 3rd period (29 of 58).
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) November 27, 2024
Overall, the Flames’ 29 goals in the third period are seventh in the league. The only teams to have managed more are the Winnipeg Jets (34), Vegas Golden Knights (34), Carolina Hurricanes (31), New Jersey Devils (30), LA Kings (30), and Minnesota Wild (30), all of whom are some of the NHL’s top teams this season.
The concern for the Flames, however, is that they aren’t getting the same offence as the teams mentioned above in the first 40 minutes. The Flames are tied for dead last with the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks with only 12 tallies in the first period, and are above only the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks in second period goals with 15.
While the lack of offence in the opening two periods could become a problem, it hasn’t to this point, as the Flames sit second in the Pacific Division with a 12-7-3 record for 27 points.
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