The Calgary Flames secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken in an overtime thriller on Tuesday night, marked by a decisive goal from Nazem Kadri just 3:38 into the extra period. This triumph is particularly notable as it represents the Flames' fourth consecutive comeback win, showcasing their resilience as they vie for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.
As the game unfolded, it became a showcase of tenacity from both teams. The Flames were led by Kadri, who not only scored the game-winning goal but also played a crucial role in igniting the Flames' scoring momentum. His power-play goal at 13:42 of the third period was instrumental in leveling the score at 2-2, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Adam Klapka and Rasmus Andersson also found the back of the net for Calgary, while Matt Coronato contributed two assists, proving to be a key playmaker in this intense matchup.
The Kraken showed resilience of their own, with goals from Ty Kartye, Jaden Schwartz, and Jordan Eberle. Schwartz's power-play goal at 10:25 in the second period had initially given Seattle the lead, followed by Kartye's breakaway goal at 18:42 that put Seattle ahead 2-1. However, the Flames were determined to fight back. After Andersson's goal at 15:49 of the third period, which briefly gave Calgary the lead again, Eberle responded fiercely. He tied the game with only 1:30 left to play, capitalizing on a pulled goalie situation that momentarily silenced the Calgary crowd.
In the end, Kadri's prowess in overtime clinched a vital two points for the Flames, solidifying their place in the playoff conversation as they continue to trail the St. Louis Blues by four points in the Western Conference wild-card chase. With three games in hand, the Flames are still firmly in contention as the playoffs approach.
On the goaltending front, Dustin Wolf recorded 26 saves to improve his record to 24 wins this season. Meanwhile, Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord faced 33 shots, ultimately falling to a record of 23-19-5 after a valiant effort to keep his team in the game.
The implications of this tense matchup go beyond the immediate outcome. The Seattle Kraken suffered a rare defeat after leading through two periods, dropping their record to 16-1-1 in such situations, a feat few teams can boast. They now stand as one of only two teams, alongside the Minnesota Wild, to have had such a perfect sequence until this game.
The Flames welcomed back key defenseman MacKenzie Weegar after he sat out the previous game due to a lower-body injury. His presence was felt on the ice, displaying leadership and skill that had been sorely missed. Conversely, Calgary's captain, Mikael Backlund, remains sidelined due to an upper-body injury; although he returned to practice the day before the game, he was not yet fit enough to rejoin the active lineup.
As the regular season winds down, both teams face pivotal matches ahead. The Kraken are set to host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, March 27, 2025, eager to bounce back from this loss and regain their winning form. The Flames will also host the Dallas Stars on the same date, where they will seek to extend their comeback streak to five consecutive victories.
Fans are certainly in for an exciting end to the season with this continued drama in the Western Conference, and both teams will be looking to assert their playoff aspirations amidst the pressure of the final games ahead.
