"Flame Out": 2025-26 Regular Season, Game 63: Carolina Hurricanes at Calgary Flames

I couldn't be happier about this road trip being over. I'm so ready for my sleep schedule to get back on track. The Canes have already had a good trip, in my opinion, but they had a chance to make it a great one with a win over the Calgary Flames in the final stop. They put it all together last night to get the win in Edmonton in a convincing fashion, but there was still a job to do. With a chance to extend the division lead further, they needed one more big effort. Not having Shayne Gostisbehere wasn't ideal, but after the way the defensemen came together last night, it felt like the team was in good hands. Brandon Bussi could also use a good start after a subpar effort in Vancouver, albeit in a victory. The offense has been rolling since the loss in Seattle, with everyone getting involved. The moment was right there for the team to grab. It was up to them to take it.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (0:44)- Seth Jarvis (27) (Andrei Svechnikov (32) & Sebastian Aho (40))

2nd Period

CGY (0:19)- Ryan Strome (4) (Olli Maatta (2) & Martin Pospisil (1))

CGY (4:11)- Joel Farabee (14) (Morgan Frost (17) & Blake Coleman (10))

CGY (7:06-PP)- Morgan Frost (14) (Zayne Parekh (2) & Ryan Strome (7))

3rd Period

CGY (2:24)- Blake Coleman (14) (Joel Farabee (13))

CAR (4:41)- Sean Walker (6) (Taylor Hall (21) & Sebastian Aho (41))

CAR (5:43-PP)- Alexander Nikishin (8) (Sebastian Aho (42) & Seth Jarvis (24))

CGY (17:42)- Joel Farabee (15) (Morgan Frost (18))

CAR (19:48)- Andrei Svechnikov (23) (K'Andre Miller (25) & Seth Jarvis (25))

My Thoughts

This was the performance of a team that was tired and ready to be back at home. That's not to say that they didn't fight until the end, but that second period was about as bad as we've seen them look in a very long time. They couldn't complete passes. They generated nothing on offense. They looked like a team playing a completely different game, and the Flames deserve a ton of credit for making them pay for their mistakes. It was the former Flyers that really stood out. Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost combined for three goals and six points. It was also a banner debut for Ryan Strome after being acquired on Friday, scoring a goal and adding an assist. The Canes ran out of steam, but they got a second life in the third. Too bad it was a little too late for that.

The biggest stain on tonight's performance was the turnovers and mistakes leading to goals. Brandon Bussi played a big part in that. Calgary's first goal was because of poor puck handling by Bussi. That reared its ugly head again in the third when his clearing attempt went right to Farabee. It continues to be the biggest mark against him. It hadn't blown up in his face much until now. However, he's far from the only culprit tonight. Mike Reilly, playing his first game since mid-January, took a really bad and unnecessary tripping penalty with the Canes down a goal, and Calgary immediately capitalized. On the eventual game-winner, Jackson Blake gave it right to Frost, allowing Farabee to get in on a breakaway and score. I'm not quite sure what the plan was there. These mental lapses proved to be costly.

For all of their defensive miscues, the offense found a way to be impactful again, keeping the Canes in the game until the bitter end. The top line was especially dangerous, combining for eight points. Sebastian Aho assisted on the first three goals, surpassing 40 assists in the process. Seth Jarvis scored the opening goal 44 seconds into the game and added two assists. Andrei Svechnikov set up Jarvis and scored with 11.9 seconds left. The defense also contributed goals, with Sean Walker extending his point streak to a career-high five games, while Alexander Nikishin tied the franchise record in goals by a rookie defenseman. If there's one thing the Hurricanes did well in Canada, it was score goals, finishing with 16 in the last three games.

Most probably won't be thrilled with a 2-2-0 finish to the trip, but I'm not going to split hairs over it. They didn't make it easy on themselves during any of their stops, though I'm satisfied with the results. It really wasn't a bad trip, all things considered. The wheels fell off a little tonight. I'm not that worried about it, though. They'll get Sunday off before returning to practice on Monday, with a new face joining the ranks. I'm interested to see how he is deployed during his first week in Raleigh. I don't anticipate he plays a ton, but his presence will be noted.

First Star of the Game: Seth Jarvis

This was pretty much a three-horse race between the top line trio, but I'll give the edge to Seth Jarvis, who had a goal and two helpers. Maybe I'm just being sentimental because he did it with his friends in the stands, but I thought his goal, at the time, was a nice tone-setter for the group in the first period. Obviously, it didn't pan out, though it doesn't negate that point completely. Both of his helpers were secondary, but so were two of Sebastian Aho's, so the tie goes to the goal scorer. 

Around the League

Pittsburgh: The first game without Malkin in the lineup netted them a point, which I'm sure they'll take, but this was one that really slipped through their fingers.

New York (I): The Islanders have assumed home ice in the first round, for now, but the Penguins still have two games in hand, so I wouldn't get too comfortable.

Columbus: The Blue Jackets trailed three different times, including a two-goal deficit in the third period, but they worked back to earn a point against the Mammoth.

Washington: The Capitals really fizzled out in the third period, coming in tied at one with Boston before the Bruins capitalized on a breakaway to pull away for good.

Philadelphia: The young guys took control of the game for the Flyers before Trevor Zegras was automatic once more in the shootout, earning two big points in Pittsburgh.

Current Standings

Carolina: 86 Points (Lead the Eastern Conference with 224 goals; 63 GP)

New York (I): 77 Points (9-0 in games decided in overtime this season; 64 GP)

Pittsburgh: 76 Points (1-9 in games decided in the shootout this season; 62 GP)

Columbus: 73 Points (2 points out of the second Wild Card spot; 62 GP)

Philadelphia: 69 Points (1 more win on the road than at home; 62 GP)

Washington: 69 Points (Lost 3 in a row; 64 GP)

Next Up: The Hurricanes could potentially welcome Nicolas Deslauriers to the lineup as early as Tuesday night, when the group hosts the Penguins at the Lenovo Center. It's the first of two games in Raleigh next week, along with a Thursday visit from the St. Louis Blues. The Canes are back on the road for two after that, visiting Tampa Bay next Saturday and Columbus the following Tuesday.