The Calgary Flames (30-23-10) are back above the playoff cutoff line thanks to a 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Backed by 26 saves from Dustin Wolf and Joel Farabee’s second period goal, the Flames played rope-a-dope for almost 25 minutes, bending but not breaking until the final buzzer.
Thanks to two points, the Flames set themselves up for one of the season’s biggest matchups, as the Vacouver Canucks visit the Saddledome on Wednesday night. Before we discuss a potential momentum shift for Calgary, let’s discuss their performance on Saturday.
After being acquired on Jan. 30 from the Philadelphia Flyers, Farabee scored one goal in his first 11 games with the Flames. He’s now scored in back-to-back contests, meaning he may have finally found his groove with his new team.
If that is the case, it’s significant for the Flames, who have needed secondary scoring for the longest time. As a former two-time 20-goal scorer, he’s got the potential to be a great addition to the lineup for the stretch run, which could help land Calgary in a playoff spot.
“It’s a real honour to play with these two guys.”
Joel Farabee speaks on developing chemistry with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman and on the win over Montreal! pic.twitter.com/pR8uMe6XXQ
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 9, 2025
During his post-game media scrum, Farabee pointed out that playing with veterans like Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman is easy. He pointed out they are professionals who know how to do things to win meaningful games, which has helped him transition to his new team.
The Flames scored one goal on Saturday night, surprisingly, it was enough for a much-needed win against the Canadiens. The home team came out and controlled the first period, having a 9-4 shot advantage.
However, the Canadiens got 22 shots over the final two periods but could not solve Wolf, who finished with a 26-save shutout.
The 23-year-old is seldom discussed as a potential candidate for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year. This could be one of the year’s biggest travesties if he doesn’t finish a nomination, let alone walk away with the award.
Statistically speaking, the Flames are one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL, yet sit in a playoff spot after another one-goal victory on Saturday. Meanwhile, Wolf became the first Flames rookie goalie to record three shutouts in a single season.
Ultimately, Calgary wouldn’t be where they are without Wolf’s brilliant work in the crease. So as a front runner for the Calder, he deserves Hart Trophy consideration because of what he means to the Flames.
Connor Zary was back on the fourth line to start the game against the Canadiens, but also skated with every other line, spending a good portion of the game with Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri.
Although no one has asked head coach Ryan Huska what his game is concerning Zary’s linemates, one has to wonder if the shuffling is to get him going again to produce a pace he was before his injury, or is his presence to get other skaters going?
In 40 games, he had ten goals and 22 points, good enough for a .55 points-per-game pace. Meanwhile, the Flames went 19-14-7 before he was injured against the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 7, a game in which they rallied for an overtime victory.
Without Zary, Calgary went 7-7-1 and is now 4-2-2 with him back in the lineup. Unfortunately, he hasn’t regained the scoring touch he had earlier in the season, with only two goals in eight games back. So, no one can blame Huska for moving him around to get him going again.
Zary is a significant component of the Flames’ attack and one of the key players in reigniting secondary scoring on a team desperate for goals.
