Calgary Flames Strike First: Flames vs Jets Game One Recap

Intentional or Not?

Dumping the puck behind the net five minutes into the game, Mark Scheifele goes down after a horrible collision with Matthew Tkachuk. As a result, he is not able to put any weight on his left leg. He is helped off the ice at 5:39 in the first. As per Jets coach Paul Maurice, he will see a specialist today.

Sharing the view of Winnipeg’s Paul Maurice, it was a dirty, intentional hit. However, Tkachuk states that it was a complete accident and that he never meant for the play to go down how it did. A penalty was not called on the play, and three minutes later Copp scored to give the Jets a 1-0 lead. That was the only goal in the period, and the first period ended with a sour taste in everyone’s mouth.

Scoring & Penalties

In terms of goals, the second period of this matchup was definitely the more exciting one. I mean, if you wanted the Flames to win. This game was not kind to the Winnipeg PP, as it went 0 for 7 throughout the entire matchup. Short-handed and Power Play goals were in the cards for the Flames though.

At 7:06 in the second period, Johnny Gaudreau scored his first playoff goal in what’s felt like a really long time. This power play was due to Tucker Poolman‘s interference against Milan Lucic. Later on in the period, Nathan Beaulieu was called for slashing on Tobias Reider, and Calgary was back on the power play. This time, there was no goal. Calgary managed to keep the puck on their side of the ice for the next few minutes, controlling play in their favor.

After some shots and hits from both teams, it seemed as though the gameplay was settling down just a little. As a result, Sam Bennett‘s hooking call against Adam Lowry finally puts the Jets were on the power play. Didn’t help them much, as Rieder scored on the backhand after an assist from Lowry. The second period was winding down, and after being up 1-0, the Jets were down 2-1. Michael Backlund didn’t exactly help Winnipeg’s chances when he scored though. A wrist shot at 18:14 of the second period was giving the Flames a 3-1 lead.

Even More Injuries

Winnipeg actually won the opening face-off of the third period and was playing strong at the beginning. Lucic is called for holding against Adam Lowry, and Winnipeg is still searching for the second goal. That goal did not come, and the game went back to even-strength.

Patrik Laine also went down during last night’s game and did not play the final 14 minutes of the third. After a collision with Flames captain Mark Giordano, Laine appears to suffer from a lower-body injury. Coach Paul Maurice hopes both superstars make a quick return to the ice. Then, Andrew Mangiapane scores at 18:19 of the third period, and Calgary takes Game one 4-1.

Predictions

It’s honestly tough to say who will win this qualifying series. Winnipeg’s chances likely hinge on the status of Schiefele and Laine. An injury to both players is a huge blow to the Jets. Calgary is looking strong though, so the series looks to be a toss-up.

Hopefully the Jets can recover quickly, and make the series a fair fight. Otherwise, this is Calgary’s series to lose.

You can check out my series preview here!

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