Flames 5, Panthers 3: A Gutsy, Comeback Road Win

The Calgary Flames didn’t exactly ease their way into this one. Two goals against on the first two shots can rattle a team, especially in a building that feeds off early momentum the way Florida does. But instead of folding, the Flames did something we haven’t always seen this season: they steadied themselves, trusted the structure, and let the game come back to them.

From there, it became a hard-working effort on the road. Devin Cooley slammed the door after the shaky start, and the skaters in front of him started chipping away shift by shift. Yan Kuznetsov’s first NHL goal cracked open the energy they needed, and once the Flames found their legs, the Panthers never fully grabbed the game back. By the time the third period rolled around, Calgary was playing with the poise of a team that expected to win, not just hoped to.

The Flames played exactly the kind of road performance that tells you something about a team’s spine.

Key Point One: Devin Cooley’s Settle-In Saves the Night

After those two quick goals, Devin Cooley could’ve crumbled. Instead, he made 37 saves and looked calmer as the game went on. For a young goaltender, that kind of recovery shows maturity and gives Calgary the stability it needed to claw back.

Key Point Two: Defensemen Spark the Turnaround

Yan Kuznetsov and MacKenzie Weegar didn’t just score—they shifted the mood. Kuznetsov’s first NHL goal stopped the early slide, and Weegar’s bomb tied the game and reminded his old team what he still brings. Calgary’s blue line took ownership of the momentum when the forwards were still settling in.

Key Point Three: Nazem Kadri Drives the Comeback

It’s tough not to name Nazem Kadri as the push for Calgary’s fight back to relevance this season. Last night’s one goal and two assists were the heartbeat performance his Flames needed. His deflection late in the second period pushed the Flames ahead and captured the spirit of this game: hard work creating its own chances.

Final Thoughts from the Flames’ Perspective

If you’re the Flames head coach, Ryan Huska, this one goes into the “culture win” pile. Calgary didn’t panic. They leaned on structure, trusted their depth, and found offense from every part of the roster. Joel Farabee’s empty-netter sealed it, but the game had already been shaped by resilience long before that puck slid in.

The Flames still need better starts. Every Flames player probably would admit that. But road wins like this build belief. For a team trying to define who they are this season, Friday night in Florida offered a pretty good answer.