Three takeaways as Flames look outmatched in loss to Avalanche​on February 7, 2025 at 1:52 pm

The good news for hockey fans in Calgary is that you’ll be cheering for this talented tandem next week, when both are representing Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. 

The bad news? On Thursday night, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar burned your favourite team, combining for five points to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-2 victory over the Flames at the Saddledome. 

Makar delighted family and friends by scoring what is surprisingly his first NHL goal in his hometown rink, while MacKinnon racked up three assists as the reigning Hart Trophy winner reclaimed the league scoring lead with an eye-popping 83 points so far.

As Flames head coach Ryan Huska summed up: “You look at the score-sheet tonight, and their top players beat us.”

Huska’s squad is stumbling into the 4 Nations break, with just two triumphs in their past seven outings. Part of the problem is they have scored only seven even-strength goals over that span.

They’ll host the Seattle Kraken on Saturday before splitting for their vacations.

The locals claimed an early lead — and achieved a rare feat — on a two-man advantage in Thursday’s opening stanza. Thanks to a blocker-side sizzler by Jonathan Huberdeau, they are the first team since 2013 to score a five-on-three goal in three consecutive contests. 

Calgary’s other marker came courtesy of Rasmus Andersson in the late stages.

Martin Necas, who seems to be settling in just fine on MacKinnon’s wing, tallied twice and added a helper for the Avs.

“Tonight was not our best game,” Huberdeau said. “We know that we’re capable of way more.

“I think we’re a little flat right now. We’re not winning our battles. I think we make it easy on them and they’re getting a little step on us. It’s on everyone. We just have to be quicker to the puck, and that’s when we’re at our best.”

Here are three takeaways from what was an impressive display from two of Team Canada’s key pieces, albeit a bummer for those in the C of Red …

STRONG WORDS FROM WEEGAR

MacKenzie Weegar’s post-game media scrum is three minutes worth watching.

A sore loser — make no mistake, that’s a compliment — and one of the most respected voices in the locker-room, Weegar’s leadership was on full display as he dissected this latest defeat.

“I just thought the energy was a little low tonight,” said Weegar, who was credited with one assist, three shots and three giveaways in 22:49 of icetime. “Another opportunity for us to make our mark in the standings, and it just wasn’t there. I think we have to get back to committing to doing the hard work out there, the stuff that nobody really likes to do but it’s important — grinding down low in the corners, backchecking hard, staying on top of checks.