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3 major takeaways from Calgary Flames' 3-1 win over Chicago Blackhawks
The Calgary Flames are scorching hot (no pun intended) to begin the 2024-25 NHL season, having gone undefeated through their first four games of the campaign.
Their latest triumph came in the form of a 3-1 victory on home ice against the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, who dropped to 1-2-1 with the loss.
It was Matt Coronato who kicked off the scoring for the Flames late in the first period, picking up a loose puck at the side of the net and burying it past goaltender Petr Mrazek for his first of the season:
However, Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno responded just moments later, knotting the score at 1-1.
Heading into the game's middle frame, the Flames took the lead for good thanks to what stood up as the game-winning goal from Andrei Kuzmenko, who tipped home a shot from Jonathan Huberdeau:
Coronato would add his second goal of the game, hitting the empty net with 39 seconds remaining to seal the win at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf made 31 saves on the 32 shots that he faced, while Mrazek made 23 saves.
Here's a closer look at three big takeaways from Calgary's 3-1 win on Tuesday over Chicago.
3 biggest takeaways from Calgary Flames' 3-1 win over Chicago Blackhawks
#1. Jonathan Huberdeau is enjoying a bounce-back campaign
It's been an extremely difficult last two seasons for Huberdeau, who was acquired in the blockbuster deal in the summer of 2022 along with MacKenzie Weegar from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk.
His point drop-off from 2022 to 2023 was the largest in NHL history, and his output dropped to just 52 last season. But with another assist on Tuesday, he's now accumulated six points in four games and is on pace statistically to reach over 100 points.
While that projection may be overly generous, his quick start will only serve to boost his confidence – and that's a good thing for the Flames.
#2. Anthony Mantha is paying off for the Flames so far
Mantha has garnered a reputation in recent seasons for not making complete efforts on the ice and was designated a healthy scratch on multiple occasions.
He signed a one-year "prove it" style deal with the Flames this offseason, and it has paid off so far. His four points in four games officially make him a point-per-game player. Like Huberdeau, his point total may have come in short sample size, but it's about as positive a beginning to the year as he and the Flames could have hoped for.
#3. Calgary's defense was tight
The Flames blocked 21 of what was ultimately 64 shot attempts by the Blackhawks, while Wolf was sharp between the pipes the times that he was tested.
Their fast start is slowly but surely giving fans hope that perhaps this is the season that they could return to the postseason for the first time since 2021-22.
The Flames travel to the Pacific Northwest next to take on the Seattle Kraken on Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena. The game is set to start at 10:00 p.m. ET.
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