Flames Outplay the Leafs and Have the Scoreboard to Show for It
Bobrovsky keeps Toronto within reach for a while, but Calgary's steady stream of looks wins out over Matthews and company
This was not a lopsided score hiding a close game. Calgary was the better team for most of the night, and the 5-2 final reflects that.
The Flames' chances were worth about 5.02 goals, measured by expected goals (how many goals a team's chances would usually produce). Toronto's were worth 2.71. Calgary also outattempted the Leafs 70 to 45. In other words, the Flames had more of the puck around the net, and their looks were the more dangerous ones.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 of 33 shots, including 11 of 12 from in close, and he kept the Leafs in it longer than the play deserved. At the other end, Devin Cooley turned aside 25 of 27.
Matvei Gridin finished with two goals and three points on a line with Martin Pospisil and Ryan Strome. Joel Farabee added a goal and an assist. Yegor Sharangovich rang one off the crossbar, so Calgary's total could have been even higher.
