Did the Flames bust a gut and go all out? Probably not.
Did the Flames take the Senators a little lightly? I think you could make that argument.
They did however play a solid road game in keeping the Senators chasing the puck, largely in their own zone, until a late goal by Austin Czarnik turned what looked to be extended Tkachuk on Tkachuk time into a late regulation win.
Phew …
A loss in Ottawa and an end to the Flames current streak would have been a frustrating result around the tension of the trade deadline. Instead the Flames can look to a David Rittich one goal performance, and another Czarnik goal in extending said streak, winning their fifth in a row; points in seven of the last eight.
That’s the way you mop up a 0-2-2 funk.
Lineup Changes
David Rittich back to the nets for the Calgary Flames today, a big start for the second year stopper as Mike Smith has started the previous five games. Certainly can’t argue with the importance of getting Mike Smith’s confidence back, but David Rittich’s grey matter has to be managed as well. The Flames best chance to go far in the playoffs is on the backs of Rittich in my mind, but it’s always good to have two going.
Oliver Kylington amid crazy rumours comes back into the lineup today to play alongside Rasmus Andersson, TJ Brodie moves back to the top pairing.
Up front the same players, but with some changes to who plays with whom. Elias Lindholm goes back to the top line to play with the big guns, Micheal Frolik drops down to the third line and Sam Bennett moves up to the second line with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk.
Goal Reversals
Once again I guess. Once again I’m wrong. And no I don’t just choose Calgary challenges to win and opposition challenges to lose.
The glove goes down on the puck, but the referee couldn’t possibly have gotten a whistle in between the point of covering the puck and the puck going into the net. I just don’t think you can call goalie interference without the “mississippi” required to blow the whistle.
Baffles me. I think I’m now batting 29%.
At least there were two of them, one each way that were completely identical to make things more fair. But that should have been a 3-2 game with a Tkachuk goal either way.
Rumour Thoughts
Someone on the site today mentioned that a trade rumour or suggestion is never close until you’re uncomfortable, it’s a thought I’ve certainly had in the past, and it couldn’t be more true.
So when you’re big game hunting, and looking to sign the big game as well things get very very uncomfortable quickly. If the Flames make the move to get Mark Stone it’s likely going to mean two more June’s without a number one pick, and a prospect of significance gone from the stable. That will suck.
It will also mean, however, that the Flames had a pretty amazing winger for Tuesday’s game in Brooklyn and we can all watch that one TV. That will be great.
You have to give to get, it’s a cliche, but if the guy is signed, they trade from an area of strength, you have to like the chances of a cup in Calgary a bit more in the next few years.
Plus, I can see a move or two in June to return some picks in order to mange roster turnover and cap space.
Depleted Sens
Take a bad Ottawa Senators team, trade Dzingel and Duchene, and then scratch Stone, Ceci and Bodeker. What do you have? A mess.
Brady Tkachuk, Bobby Ryan, Chabot and a goaltender.
Yet the plucky crew gave Calgary all they could handle, more due to the Flames inability to finish when they were pretty much running the show in the second period and parts of the first.
Czarnik Beauty
It’s amazing what a little confidence will do for you.
I think fans/media focus too much on results sometimes, over looking the process and what’s going on without bounces. So when Austin Czarnik tickled the twine three times in three games there was a call for “told you so”s on Bill Peters roster selections through the season.
The fact of the matter though was the fact that all three goals were somewhat suspect. A broken stick, one off a skate, and another that was an own goal is hardly the run up of a dominant player. It was a springboard though, as the player was playing better hockey leading to an amazing backhand snipe game winner tonight.
Sure gives the Flames some tough roster decisions when James Neal is healthy, with or without additional forces added tomorrow.
Standings Implications
Calgary pulls out a close one for two points, the Sharks came back and won in Detroit and the Jets are playing now against the Coyotes on Doan night in Phoenix.
As a result, the Flames stay three points up on the Sharks with a game in hand. The Jets are using their game in hand right now and are seven points back of the Flames. Nashville is now eight points back with Calgary having two games in hand.
An amazing 16 points up on the Knights, with Calgary having a game in hand. Which brings up the question; do the Flames really want to win the division? Is there a team struggling in that group more than the Vegas squad these days? Maybe they’d be better off avoiding St. Louis, Dallas and Colorado.
Counting Stats
Team Stats:
Shots – Calgary 35 Ottawa 23
Face Offs – 57% Ottawa
Special Teams – Both clubs 0/3
Player Stats:
Points – Backlund, Bennett, Frolik, Czarnik and Jankowski with one each.
Plus/Minus – A few guys +1
Shots – Tkachuk and Hamonic with 4
Fancy Stats
Calgary had the puck on their collective sticks all night, so it comes as no surprise to see five on five shot attempts at 58% with period splits of 51%/59% and a big third period with 65%. Scoring chances were 57% Calgary (29-22) and high danger chances tipped Calgary’s way by a 10-7 margin (59%).
In all situations things were worse for Ottawa. Calgary had 62% of the shot attempts, 65% of the scoring chances and 55% of the high danger chances.
Individually, half the team finished in the 60s in terms of possession numbers with Noah Hanifin at the top with 65%, followed by Derek Ryan, partner Travis Hamonic and Mark Jankowski. Only Oliver Kylington and Rasmus Andersson finished under water.
