If you’re a defensive-minded coach, the opening 20 minutes of the Calgary Flames’ meeting with the New York Rangers on Thursday night probably made you cringe. Giveaways. Turnovers. Multiple breakaways.
But if you’re someone that wanted the Flames to finally show some life in the opening period, it was probably as picturesque as it could get.
A pair of breakaway goals from Johnny Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund spotted the Flames to a 2-0 lead. And while they allowed the Rangers to draw even twice, the home team never trailed. The team’s fast start was well-received by interim head coach Geoff Ward.