Rest is great. You get to nurse minor injuries, work on details, polish up special teams, get your old guy into shape, and pretty much refine every nuance of a club’s game.
But then you have to play again.
The Flames took a long time to find their legs tonight as the Hurricanes dominated in what was a flattering 2-1 final score at the Saddledome on Thursday night, sweeping Alberta much like the Senators did last week, though in less spectacular fashion.
The Flow
A classic bend but not break period for the Flames as in my estimation the first twenty minutes were certainly carried by the Hurricanes in terms of zone time and shot attempts. The Flames were smart, diligent and willing to sacrifice the body however, limiting the actual shots to reach goaltender Mike Smith. The best two chances of the period came off the stick of Jeff Skinner on a partial break; a blocker save by Mike Smith, and then Mikael Backlund on a short handed attempt on Scott Darling, his move to the backhand thwartwed with the glove hand. No score through 20, Carolina with the only two powerplays, the second of which largely carried over to the second.
Not a very good period for the Flames, but then I think far too often we as observers give far to much credit for good and play to the team you follow, and not enough to the opposition. I think that was the case in the this stanza, as the Hurricans played a perfect road period. They are rewarded when Jeff Skinner out-muscles Johnny Gaudreau and just wires one past Smith through a screen. The Canes had the better of the chances and it was all Mike Smith to keep this game 1-0 through 40 minutes.
The Canes pretty much put things away with an early third period powerplay goal for Justin Williams; Matthew Tkachuk in the box for an undisciplined late second period penalty. The Flames skate in sand for the next 5 or so minutes until they finally find their game and put the hammer down for parts of the rest of the third. The Flames get closer when a broken play leaves the puck sliding on to Sean Monahan’s stick in the slot and he beats Darling over the pad glove side to make it 2-1. The Flames push but can’t find that can’t miss chance, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Hurricanes, their second straight win at the Saddledome after going 14 years without a win in Calgary.
Possession Stats
1st Period – Advanced stats have added a lot to the modern way of reviewing hockey games. I always find it interesting to see how much my eye test matches the analytics test and in this first period they lined up perfectly. The Canes had jump, owned the puck, pushed the play, but the shots were relatively similar. The shot attempts five on five? 22-15 for the Canes, scoring chances 9-6 for the visitors.
2nd Period – The second had to be better though right? Not so fast, the Canes absolutely dominated the second period running up a 17-9 five on five shot attempts, something that once again matched the eye test.
3rd Period – The third period was clearly the Flames best as they finally built up some late momentum and with it some shot attempts and scoring chances, third period tally 13-12 for the Flames.
Players – Well now I’ve seen it. The Flames third pairing posted the single worst five on five shot attempt percentage I’ve ever seen in a game summary; 6% for Michael Stone and 11% for Matt Bartkowski. Yikes. Micheal Ferland, Tanner Glass, Sam Bennett, Troy Brouwer and Kris Versteeg also got filled in. Some Flames did enjoy some five on five success including Matthew Tkachuk at 60%, Sean Monahan and Jaromir Jagr were at 59% and Gaudreau, Frolik and Hamilton were all above 50%.
Three Stars
1. Jeff Skinner: Flame killer continues along that same storied past with a goal and an assist, points on both goals.
2. Scott Darling : Wasn’t as busy as Mike Smith but stood strong on a first period chance by Mikael Backlund and then a late push by the Flames.
3. Mike Smith: Every game the guy is solid, and tonight was no different as the Flame’s starter carried the team through 40 minutes giving them a chance in the end to tie things up.
Big Save
Have to go with the big Darling save on Jaromir Jagr in the third. That goes in and perhaps the Monahan goal ties things up. Getting a glove on the rebound with the big Czech going to the net.
The Heel
Didn’t love Matthew Tkachuk’s discipline, and really didn’t like some of the turnovers by Johnny Gaudreau on the night. In the end with the Williams powerplay goal the HEEL goes to Tkachuk by a nose.
Mr. Clutch
I thought Jaromir Jagr had his best game as a Flame tonight, leading the team in shots on goal with four and getting robbed twice by Scott Darling. A chance in the first period that got bobbled, a great rebound chance in the third, and a back hand that could have gone. And all the while he continues to put up great underlying metrics. Certainly a great add for the Flames.
Odds and Ends
Well that was a long lay off. Lucky for Calgary fans the lay off came on the heels of a win and not a loss on Saturday night in Vancouver; that’s the worst. The wait for another game wallowing in the disappointment of a loss to a traditional rival. Bullet averted.
Tonight the Flames essentially carried the second half line up in Vancouver into tonight’s game. Mike Smith back in net, the defense pairs as is, and Jagr on the top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. The line works from an offensive standpoint but there had to be some concerns defensively and how Jagr would hold up with either a greater workload, or how Gulutzan would plug the holes when the old horse needed a break. Additionally Micheal Ferland returned to the lineup after a mister lower body injury heeled up; he missed the game in Vancouver. Curtis Lazar took a seat to make room for the winger.
The Hurricanes and Sebastian Aho provide me with the opportunity for that classic dad joke that you just keep hitting and hitting all night, driving your 15 year old son nuts. That guy is such an Aho, never gets old.
Just love the side story that comes with Jaromir Jagr. Every team they play seems to come with a story or two adding to the overall game. I’m going to enjoy every game this season with that added element. With this likely to be his last season, Calgary gets to ride this out with a front row seat.
Have to admit I’m pleasantly surprised with Matthew Tkachuk this season. When a recent draft pick adapts as quickly as he did in season one you almost expect that sag in season two. Instead the kid is more impactful. Better with the puck, stronger along the boards, and more a driver of the play than he was last year. Very very good sign.
Another game with a massively lopsided penalties for and against ratio for the Flames as they have now gone 2-7, 4-7 and 1-6 in the last three games. Are they a dirty team? A lazy team? An unlucky team? The Jets brought in a ref to talk to their team in training camp about what is and isn’t a penalty, maybe the Flames need to do the same.
Next Up
The Flames host the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, game time 8pm on Hockey Night in Canada (CBC).
Lines:
Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik
Gaudreau – Monahan – Jagr
Ferland – Bennett – Versteeg
Glass – Hamilton – Brouwer
Giordano – Hamilton
Brodie – Hamonic
Bartkowski – Stone
Smith
