‘Looks really comfortable’: Flames’ Zary thriving in new role

DETROIT — Arms outstretched on the bench in disbelief, an animated Connor Zary let the officials know what he thought of the call.

His club had just been whistled for too many men late in overtime, sending the infuriated Flames centre to the penalty box where he watched the Red Wings end the game.

Another third-period comeback by the Flames dashed, this time by a power-play goal in the extra frame.

But this was one of those nights when Zary demonstrated just how important he’ll be to the franchise for a long, long time.

It was Zary who tied the game with just under three minutes left in regulation, capping an evening in which he was the Flames’ best and most dangerous forward.

His power-play snipe from the left dot beat former Flame Cam Talbot inside the far post, enabling the Flames to steal a point in a 2-1 loss in which they didn’t generate a whole lot of chances.

That’s a league-leading 20 games in a row that the Flames have scored three goals or less in, putting increased pressure on Dan Vladar Wednesday when he was spectacular, turning aside 25 shots.

It also puts more heat on guys like Zary, who is showing more and more that he’s capable of being counted on when needed most.

In the midst of trying to convert from wing to centre, he now has a four-game point streak that speaks to how good he’s been in his new role.

The coach was the one who suggested Zary was his best forward the first quarter of the season, and you’d have a hard time finding anyone who disagreed.

Especially Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena.

“He’s been really good for us and he looks really comfortable in the middle too,” said Mikael Backlund, whose organization desperately needs someone like Zary to fill a top-six role up the middle.

“I feel like he’s finding his way there. He’s been making good plays and wants the puck and it’s great to see.”

No one seems to have the puck on their stick longer than Zary, whose confidence is off the charts for a lad who broke in with the big club early last season.

He’s taken his game to another level, which is on display nightly.

Up until the last four games, he hadn’t been rewarded points-wise, but he’s as important and exciting a forward as the Flames have right now.

“I feel great out there,” admitted Zary after the emotional loss.

“I want to be out there. I want to be the guy. I want to try and have the puck on my stick and distribute and skate through the middle and do those things. And obviously, when I have my game on I think I’m a great player. And I think it’s something you have to do day in and day out.”

Every young player struggles with finding a level of consistency, but Zary has grown leaps and bounds in that department already.

He’s a guy this offensively-challenged team is already counting on to be a difference-maker — quite an ask for a guy who started last season in the minors.

“Well, I think that’s the hope with all your young players, that you know they’re going to watch some of the older guys around them, and they’re going to take steps along the way,” said coach Ryan Huska.

“So that’s part of our job as a staff, is to make sure they develop, and it’s part of the player’s job to make sure they’re putting in the work, and Connor has done that this year. So his game has taken steps.”

He’s worked on his skating for years, his touch around the net has long been impressive, and he’s not afraid to take on defenders with moves most players don’t have the stones to try.

You could tell by the look on his face that his late goal Wednesday meant plenty, given how snakebitten he seemed to be most of the month.

“I think anytime you score, it feels good, and especially in those situations late in the game to tie it up, that feels good,” said Zary of his fifth goal.

“I think for me, it’s just keep doing the right things, keep playing how I’m playing, and keep plugging away that way, and they’ll fall. I’ve just got to keep creating chances and moving my feet, and that’s the way my game has to be all the time. Be consistent that way and keep finding the back of the net and really bearing down on those chances.”

Furious over the overtime penalty call, you could see how much he cares by the way in which he pushed back over the call.

“Obviously, a tough way to end the game,” he said, mature enough not to delve into the call once the game was over.

“You never want to lose in overtime or go on the kill in overtime and lose it that way. So, it always sucks.

“Obviously, the bright spot is getting one point. But I think all of us in this room want to win games, and whether that’s in overtime, whether that’s in the first 60, I think we’ve got to pride ourselves in doing that. 

“I thought for most of the game we were good, and we came out hard, and we let up a little bit, and then it was kind of back-and-forth all game. We don’t want to lose games against anyone, so we’ll just go back to work, have a good Thanksgiving and regroup.”

For the second game in a row, the opposition scored twice on the power play, as penalties continued to be an issue Wednesday.

But for the fifth game in a row the Flames scored on the man advantage — something Zary has also played a role in.

The Flames are off for American Thanksgiving Thursday in Columbus and will play the Blue Jackets Friday at 1 p.m. MT.