Sometimes when a team is on a losing streak you can see the end of the skid in sight. Sure they dropped another one but the team is starting to do the little things right suggesting good times are on the horizon.
Tonight I’m not so sure you can say that in a 4-1 loss on Saddledome ice, the team’s fourth straight loss and sixth loss in their last seven as the Flames got down quickly, posted an anemic second period in falling further behind before an energetic third against a veteran team that knew they had the game well in hand.
Once again they abandoned their game plan and panicked at the first sign of adversity, something that has to be a head scratcher to Brad Treliving, the architect of this sputtering club.
The season is young, but not that young as just like last season the team is digging a hole that few teams have managed to dig themselves out of.
The Flow
The Flames came out with jump, they looked good, they had the edge in play early and the pop and well fizz. After making a couple of big saves to keep his team in it, Brian Elliott muffed a Grabner shot that got past him into the short side top corner and with that the Rangers were up 1-0. With the Flames these days, sadly, that’s all it takes. The team goes into a tail spin in adversity. The Rangers added to their lead on a play 100% on the team and not the goaltender when blown coverage, and a complete breakdown in front of Elliott led to a Stepan goal and a 2-0 lead for the visitors. Johnny Gaudreau had a breakaway late in the period that could have dramatically changed things, but Henrik Lundqvist came up large and the Rangers lead 2-0 after one.
The second was a rough one for the Flames as they were largely listless, got caught up in their own zone far too often, and paid for it with the Rangers doubling their lead. After a rare burst of pressure by the Flames up the ice the Rangers made it 3-0 when rookie JimmY Vessey tipped a great pass by McDonagh beat Elliott between the wickets. The Rangers made it 4-0 when the Flames fourth line got caught on the ice with Hamilton and Kulak finally resulting in a goal by Buchnevich, 4-0 Rangers after two.
The Flames didn’t quit and for that I was grateful as the night wasn’t a great night out up to that point. They appeared in the third with piss and vinegar and pushed the Rangers hard in the final frame. No they didn’t come back, the story wasn’t that great, but they did snap the Lundqvist shut out, and they did banish the no powerplay goals on home ice this season streak with a powerplay goal from Micheal Ferland. Overall they out shot the Rangers 16-8 and finished the night on somewhat of a high, in a 4-1 loss.
1. Henrick Lundqvist:The Flames aren’t all that dangerous these days, but King Henrik was at his best in snuffing out any hopes of a comeback by turning away Gaudreau on a breakaway and then the whole team in the third period. 31 saves on 32 shots in the win.
2. Mats Zuccarello: Very noticeable on each and every shift tonight, such a great smallish player. Picked up an assist and was key in driving the play.
3. Ryan McDonagh:Solid game on the backend, including a great pass to Vessey for a tip in in 21 minutes of play.
Big Save
Big save and at a big time, Henrik Lundqvist stones Johnny Gaudreau on a breakaway in the waning minutes of the first period to keep the game 2-0. A goal there and it could have been a very different game.
The Goat
Brett Kulak had his first tough night of his young career. With fans taking notice, and advanced stats followers raving about the young player there was talk about expansion draft worries. So it’s somewhat unfortunate to see the young defender post a -4 on the night, somewhat erasing his +7 through 6 games this season. He’ll bounce back. Good young player.
Mr. Clutch
Things aren’t firing on all cylinders for Johnny Gaudreau, but it’s coming. Tonight he was buzzing, not creating at the elite level we’ve seen in Calgary but a good deal of the jump in his game was back. Good sign for a team that certainly needs anything good to rally around.
Odds and Ends
I’ve taken a beating in not turning on the coaching staff in daily Calgarypuck discussion, and I’ll be the first to admit it’s been tough sledding in holding my own against the masses. I’ll tell you that media folk I’ve talked to love the guy, it’s been suggested to me that the players believe, and are actually feeling pressure to succeed for the guy, not in spite of him. I still see a lot of individual mistakes and guys gripping the stick far too tight, and not a team being coached with foolish system. Time will tell I guess, though it’s clear that time is also running out. … Didn’t last long but I was happy to see the defense pairings to start the game tonight. Brodie with Giordano followed by Hamilton with Kulak in a promotion for the young defender. They quickly split Brodie and Giordano up and the Hamilton/Kulak pairing did a face plant tonight so I’m guessing we may not see that again on Tuesday night. … Thought Hunter Shinkaruk stood out tonight in a supporting fashion on a newly made fourth line with Freddie Hamilton and Linden Vey. He took the puck wide often, used his speed, took the puck around the net creating scoring chances. He stood out. … How about the passion dripping from Matt Stajan in the third period? The guy was a man possessed and clearly riled at being down in yet another hockey game. Does it matter in tonight’s game? Clearly no, but it does set a standard for young players on the squad. His contract is clearly hefty for his role, but you can’t deny his role in the dressing room and leadership for the club. Good to see. Tonight he was rewarded for his jam all season by being promoted to left wing on the Bennett Brouwer line leaving Linden Vey to center the fourth line. …
Next Up
The Flames travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Tuesday night, four game losing streak in hand. Game time 6.30pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Gaudreau – Monahan – Chiasson
Stajan – Bennett – Brouwer
Ferland – Backlund – Frolik
Shinkaruk – Vey – Hamilton
Giordano – Wideman
Kulak – Hamilton
Brodie – Engelland
Elliott
