The Flames are both playing well and horribly at the same time, something not often achieved in pro sports.
On one hand you have a team that seems to be in control, drives the play, creates chances and generally entertains. These teams generally win hockey games.
On the other hand you have a squad that gives up eye splitting blue chip chances four times a night, be it through terrible line changes, over committing to offence, or falling down, putting tremendous pressure on their goaltending and finding a way to lose.
The gaff prone Flames spotted the Rangers a 4-0 second period lead tonight despite only surrendering 13 shots to that point, and were unable to recover in dropping their 6th straight contest, 5-2 to the Rangers.
The Flow
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The Flames and Rangers had a quiet start to the festivities with next to nothing happening in the first ten minutes. The Rangers didn’t even register a shot until the game was nine minutes old. An ill-advised line change resulted in a Nash break and boom, 1-0 Rangers just like that. The Flames kill of one penalty and then when short again get three great scoring chances before a Wideman/Ramo mix up with seconds on the clock result in a 2-0 Ranger lead after one. Tough finish.
The Flames stabilize in the second but can’t beat Lundqvist and eventually pay for it when the Rangers push further ahead with two more goals towards the middle of the period. Calgary answers back quickly to make it 4-1 but things were pretty much home and clear for the Rangers from there.
The loosey goosy play of the second was nixed by Alain Vigneault between periods leaving the Rangers to play closer to the vest in the final frame, keeping the Flames to the outside and the game at a tepid pace. The Rangers add an empty net goal to make it 5-1 before Glencross scored late to make it 5-2 on a powerplay. Tough night for the Flames.
Three Stars
1.Henrick Lundqvist:Its easy to spot an elite goaltender when you see one live. Efficiency in movement, doesn’t over react to anything and stops everything he can see. Give this man a lead and its lights out.
2.Rick Nash: I’m as surprised as anyone to see Nash return to the stage as he appeared to be a bit part in the last few seasons. Two more goals tonight to give him 20 on the season.
3.Ryan McDonagh: Such a solid stay at home defender, took away many a Flame chance by just holding his ground and keeping the puck from harms way. 2nd on the team in ice time with 23 minutes.
Big Save
The Flames get caught early in the second period giving Kris Kreider a breakaway on Kari Ramo. The Fin netminder makes not just one but two highlight saves before his teammates return to help him.
The Goat
The Flames top two defense pairings. Giveaways, ill advised line changes, rushed offensive chances, bad passes, weak on sticks, and generally giving the game away. The quartet goes a combined -6 on the night in what has to be Calgary rock bottom.
Mr. Clutch
Jiri Hudler was the best of the bunch tonight with the team’s first goal, and five shots on net. Continues to have magic with Gaudreau on a nightly basis.
Odds and Ends
Hate to be greedy about prospects what with the Flames seemingly finding depth up front in all positions these days, but Kevin Hayes would look good in Calgary with his size on the right wing. He’s not exactly in the Calder conversation but 11 points isn’t a bad start to a career. .. The Flames seem to be trying too hard, forcing things, and not settling into the style they have generally played this season when successful. Hockey is a game of mistakes, and when one team is insistent on forcing plays that aren’t there, they are likely to end up with the puck in the net, which the Flames have found with frequency of late. The skill is there, and they’re getting better at possession, but they have to let the game come to them to some degree on not force square pegs into round holes. … Thought the fourth line with Stajan, Bouma and Raymond were a bright spot tonight in their physical play and getting the puck deep and going to work. A good spot for Raymond to play his way back into the fold. … Hartley changed up lines one and three tonight but flipping Glencross and Colborne, but once again both lines were essentially flat, lifeless and without chemistry. Keep wondering if its time to load one line with Hudler, Monahan and Gaudreau and see if they can get on a roll. … Another rough night for Brodie and Glencross. The seamless transition and D to D passing that made them the best defense pairing in the circuit now seems to be a bit of a fire drill in their own zone, and the team is leaking oil because of it. … Assume the go back to Hiller again on Friday with the Stars in town. He was solid in relief tonight. … My gut says the Flames are on the other side of the streak now, where another winning streak has started but the players haven’t realized it yet. They were winning some games they shouldn’t before the losing streak started and the inverse could be true now.
Next Up
The Flames brief two game homestand ends on Friday night when the Dallas Stars come a calling. Game time 7pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Joe Colborne – Sean Monahan – David Jones
Johnny Gaudreau – Josh Jooris – Jiri Hudler
Curtis Glencross – Markus Granlund – Paul Byron
Brandon Bollig – Matt Stajan – Lance Bouma
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engellend – Raphi Diaz
Kari Ramo
