If you were to map out the final 16 games on the Flames schedule when they returned from that monster road trip there would be games that you’d circle as wins, games you’d pencil in as losses and others that would remain uncertain.
A home date with the St. Louis Blues was certainly one of the tougher battles on the sked, and the Missouri club proved that in spades in besting an energetic but opportunistic Flames club by a score of 4-0 on Tuesday night.
The Flames played well, well enough to likely win many of their final 12 and they’ll need to if they want to preserve a playoff spot and move on to the second season.
The Flow
Really good start against a really good team from a team that hasn’t been good at their starts most of the season. Literally no chances against in the game’s first 5 minutes and almost converted one of their own when the Blues turned the puck over. A Michael Backlund penalty put the league’s best powerplay on the ice midway through the second but the Flames kept them to the perimeter and escaped unscathed. Later in the period a broken stick to David Schlemko resulted in a tense shift stuck in their own zone, but the Blues were unable to convert.
The second is a repeat of the first with the Flames containing the Blues well, and neither team generating a whole lot by way of scoring chances. Just past the ten minute mark Steen walks in on a rush, uses Russell as a screen and beats Hiller high to achieve the game’s first goal. Things open up with the goal, as the Flames top line pushes hard and causes a goal mouth scramble with Elliot out of the cage but fail to convert. Off the chance the Blues break in on a two on one but Tarasenko is foiled by Hiller and the game stays tied. Another great chance for Backlund causes another melee in the front of Elliot and they come close again. Great period for both teams, shots 18-17 Blues through two periods, and they lead 1-0.
Calgary heads into familiar territory, trailing heading into the third, and this time only by a goal, so guaranteed win right? Not so fast, it’s the Blues and that’s a mountain that just isn’t conquered all that often. TJ Brodie makes an uncharacteristic turn over early and just like that the hole is doubled. Later on a face off Steen pounds home his second of the evening and it’s a three goal St. Louis lead. The Flames get a powerplay with eight minutes to play and pull their goalie to add to the fury but fail to generate a shot. Soon after the powerplay the Blues hit the empty net to put things away.
Three Stars
1.Alex Steen: Two goals by the son of the former Jet, and the 2nd straight game that the Flames have been sunk by a guy named Alex.
2.Brian Elliot: Don’t be fooled by the score, Elliot had to earn this shut out as the chances and shots were very close. Stopped 24 Flames shots for the shut out.
3.David Backes: Two assist, an empty net goal and a clear 2/3 success rate in the face off circle.
Big Save
You can have your pick of either of Tarasenko’s 2nd period opportunities. 1) Hiller stones him on a laser off the face off with a low glove save. 2) Later in the period he gets the best of him again when he stops him on a two on one using his chest and glove to corral the puck.
The Goat
Hate picking a goat in a hard working game, but Kris Russell might have been a little tense against his former teammates, especially while playing his 500th game. Screened Hiller on the first goal and was -3 in the game, a mark he shared with Lance Bouma. TJ Brodie gets some consideration for his early third period cough up as well.
Mr. Clutch
Michael Backlund. Did everything in his power to help his team to victory, as he lead the team in scoring chances and shots on goal.
Odds and Ends
Love the Bollig stepping in after Stajan got run over by Reeves, really adds to the fact that Bollig has played some of his best hockey of late. Teams that stick together are harder to break down in battle, especially over a 7 game series. Good sign, and exactly what Bollig was brought to Calgary to accomplish. … Odd that Hartley only got his top line on the ice for three minutes in the first period. Matchups are important but not to the point where you never get your best line on the ice. … Hiller is really strong down low, but he risks goals like Steen’s ice breaker tonight by going down to his knees and hoping for the best when he doesn’t see the puck. … Backlund may have failed to extend his point streak, but you can’t blame his effort in trying to keep it going. The center had four shots on goal through two periods (5 overall) and was a little unlucky to not convert a rebound in the second period. He was also the only center not getting handed his proverbial lunch in the face off circle. Still can’t believe how quietly he was racking up points at the end of that 7 game road trip. Really speaks to how important he is to the Flames as a 2nd line center. Sam Bennett is likely coming aboard next year but at 19 he likely doesn’t step into a top six role right away if at all next season, meaning Backlund’s contract this summer had better be high on Treliving’s list. … Hope the top line and its two young players aren’t heading into a slump, as the trio failed to hit the scoreboard for the second straight game, those 120 minutes only resulting in two goals for the team. They need a top line contributing down the stretch if they want to secure a playoff spot. … The city gets a little tighter in hockey conversation after a loss, and a lot more tense when its two in a row. But for my money I thought the Flames actually played quite well and do move into a favourable schedule in the next week. With 81 points and needing probably 95 it still comes down to a 7-5-0 record in their final 12 games. Will be fun to see if they can do it.
Next Up
Next up on this 5 game homestand is the Flyers on Thursday night, game time 7pm Sportsnet. It begins four in a row at home against teams unlikely to see the post season.
Lines:
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – David Jones
Brendan Bollig – Matt Stajan – Michael Ferland
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Mason Raymond – Josh Jooris – Joe Colborne
Deryk Engelland – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Dave Schlemko – Rapha Diaz
Jonas Hiller
