It was maybe a surprise when the Calgary Flames released their lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Capitals and had Dan Vladar in the starter’s net.
Dustin Wolf’s been getting the majority of the crease work over the past couple of months, and a game against the NHL’s top team would be one where you’d normally expect to play your de facto starter.
Knowing that he’d need both goalies on his team’s gruelling six-game road-trip, though, Flames head coach Ryan Huska opted to go with Vladar.
And his faith in the 27-year-old was rewarded, as Vladar was excellent in stopping 26-of-27 saves and helping the Flames (28-21-8) to an impressive 3-1 win over the Capitals (38-12-8).
“He’s a very good goaltender,” Huska told reporters post-game. “He’d probably like to have a few more starts at this point of the season and to be honest with you there’s been some nights where he’s deserved to go back in.
“He’s done a really good job and been a really supportive roommate.”
One game won’t change the fact that Wolf has won the Flames’ starting goaltending job and will get the majority of games down the stretch.
But showing faith in Vladar and having him play as well as he did against the Capitals can only be a good thing.
Wolf is a rookie, after all, and the Flames don’t want to overload him coming down the stretch as they fight for a spot in the post-season dance.
The team overperformed and exceeded expectations through the first two months of the season while rotating between the two shot-stoppers, so they know they can win games with both.
That includes against elite teams, and with matchups against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes on this road-trip, they’ve got their work cut out for them against some very dangerous opponents. They also play the Philadephia Flyers.
Vladar did everything that was asked of him on Tuesday night, just like he’s been doing all season.
“I’m just doing my job here,” Vladar told reporters. “I’m trying to do my best and if I don’t play, do my best supporting Wolfie.”
Here’s three takeaways from Tuesday’s game:
THE START THEY NEEDED
The Flames started off their road-trip right with Tuesday’s win, and they started the game itself exactly how they would have wanted, too.
They out-shot the Capitals 14-5 in the first 20 minutes and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission thanks to goals from Martin Pospisil and Matt Coronato.
For a team that’s struggled to score first-period goals, that’s no small feat.
“I loved our start,” Huska told reporters. “I thought we had a lot of guys that were courageous tonight with the shot-blocking, I thought our fourth-line was good, I thought our goaltending was good. There was a lot tonight, it was a good team game.”
Getting ahead early gave the Flames something to hold on to, and while the Capitals pushed back in the second period, Vladar stood his ground.
Alex Ovechkin did cut into the Flames’ lead with a power-play goal early in the third, but Jonathan Huberdea responded to restore their two-goal cushion.
It was exactly what the Flames aim for on the road.
GETTING THE START
In addition to going with Vladar, Huska also gave a rare start to his fourth-line.
Ryan Lomberg, Kevin Rooney and Pospisil got the start and it was greeted by a huge cheer from their teammates when it was announced.
The trio was the Flames’ best line in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, and as Huska explained, it was time for them to get rewarded.
“I thought they had a really good game the night before, we had to play with some energy in here tonight, I thought that was important for us and they’re very well-liked in our dressing room,” Huska told reporters. “They did an unreal job for us tonight, they’ll probably get another one for us soon.”
The Flames need production from every guy in their lineup down the stretch, and the re-emergence of the fourth-line couldn’t be happening at a better time.
HUBERDEAU GETTING HOT
As much as unsung heroes have stepped up for the Flames over the last two games, it’s worth noting that the team’s stars have been producing, too.
After Ovechkin scored in the third period and the Washington crowd started ramping up the intensity in the arena, it was Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri who sealed the deal for the Flames.
Huberdeau scored his 22nd goal of the season, while Kadri did the hard work getting the puck to him and fully deserved the assist.
They’re tied for the team lead with 43 points apiece, and with Coronato scoring, as well, their line’s contributions shouldn’t be overlooked.