CALGARY, Alberta — On Thursday evening, Connor Zary netted a crucial goal midway through the third period, leading the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers.
Both Matt Coronato and Yegor Sharangovich contributed significantly, each recording a goal and an assist, while MacKenzie Weegar stood out with three assists for the Flames. Additionally, Jonathan Huberdeau marked a career milestone by achieving his 500th assist in the NHL.
In terms of goalkeeping, Dustin Wolf was impressive, making 27 saves and securing his third consecutive win.
The Rangers, however, managed to score two quick goals during the second period, with Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle finding the net just 16 seconds apart. Despite this, it was only their second defeat in an away game this season, with Igor Shesterkin making a remarkable 46 saves.
Zary’s pivotal goal came at 10:34 of the final period, as he skillfully maneuvered around Kaapo Kakko to lift the puck over Shesterkin’s shoulder, sealing the win for Calgary.
Takeaways from the match indicate that the Flames delivered their finest first period of the season, outshooting the Rangers 20-5, yet went into the second period with only a one-goal lead. Their previously struggling power play found success for the second consecutive game, adding crucial points when they needed it most.
For the Rangers, their reliance on Shesterkin was evident as they faced challenges during their third road game in as many nights; four penalties in the first half of the game disrupted their flow and momentum.
One of the game’s key moments was Zary’s determination as he fought off Kakko’s pressure to score the winning goal, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Additionally, a notable statistic revealed that the Flames achieved over 20 shots in the first period for the first time since October 25, 2022, when they recorded 20 shots against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Looking ahead, the Flames will be back on home ice to face the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, while the Rangers are set to wrap up their four-game road trip against the Edmonton Oilers on the same night.