In today’s NHL it’s very difficult to gauge success on the ice.
A team struggling to find points, putting in brutal efforts, running around in their own zone, anemic on special teams can suddenly look great adding confusion. Last night the Flames edged the Minnesota Wild 3-2 at the Saddledome in a game that they thoroughly dominated from start to finish.
Were the Flames that much better? Were the Wild that terrible? Both? Given the urgency and need for the Flames to put their game together, I’m going to cross my fingers and hope the former.
On The Line
In a long season the “ON THE LINE” section can become somewhat redundant. Every game matters, yet there is always tomorrow. This season the Flames have had some breathing room making it more about tuning their game, picking up points, or staying clear of the bedlam. Not tonight. The Canucks are close, very very close, and two points is essential in fighting them off.
The Flow
About as close to a sixty minute performance as you’re going to see from the Flames in recent weeks.
A solid first that had the Flames out shooting the Wild 20-5 and unlucky not to be up a handful. The Wild scored first, but the Flames dominated the period and came out with a 2-1 lead.
The sketchiest period of time for the Flames was the first ten minutes of the second when they appeared to match the Wild malaise and neither team accomplished anything for ten minutes. The Wild tied things up on a terrible Craig Conroy giveaway, but the Flames went ahead again when Eric Nystrom found the cage after two disallowed goals.
A solid third for the Flames, out shooting the Wild again and keeping the visitors to the outside.
Three Stars
1. Eric Nystrom: Great energy all night. He handled the puck like a second line player not the fourth line role that he holds. Showed great finish for the game winner, when the team needed a goal badly.
2. Nicklas Backstrom: In some respects he was beaten five times, but officially he was the difference in a game that was much more tight than it should have been.
3. Dion Phaneuf: One of his best games of the season. His early hit on Antti Miettinen seemed to dial him in as he was great in all aspects. Very good sign.
Big Save
Neither goaltender made a highlight reel save, so I’m going with Eric Furlatt for his two goal wave offs in the second period. Not only is it the fastest I’ve ever seen two goals waved off, but both were sketchy resulting in Furlatt literally saving the game. Without his work this wouldn’t have been a tense finish.
Big Hit
Phaneuf stood up Miettinen early in the game to set the tone, but also ran over Johnsson and Gaborik before the night was over. The plays better when he’s physical. Maybe it’s time to take the harness off and let him run wild again.
The Goat
Craig Conroy. A blatant giveaway at a time of the game where the safe play was needed, in a time of the season where a safe play was demanded. Struggled with the puck the rest of the night as well.
Mr. Clutch
Todd Bertuzzi. He was a difference maker in this game. Great with the puck all night, and huge in setting up Daymond Langkow’s goal. He’ll never be confused with Stephane Yelle in his own zone, but you forget just how skilled the man is.
Odds and Ends
More often than not when a team gets out shot 20-5 in the first period you see a push back in the second. Minnesota? Nope. Which brings up my earlier question. Is this team DOA or did the Flames not allow them any space? They just looked defeated from the drop of the puck which makes you wonder if some big changes are coming in Minnesota, including behind the bench. … Speaking of Minnesota, you have to think last night’s loss is a season ender. The Predators, Oilers, Blues and Ducks are all in a heated battle for two spots with the Wild even further back. Good night. … The Flames move to 92 points on the season and three points up on the Canucks. This writer is guessing that it will take 102 points to win the division. Five wins in seven games. … My bad, I’ve been talking up Warren Peters for two weeks so Keenan gets back at me for pulling him out in favour of Pardy. Sorry. … Bertuzzi lead the team with a +2 on the night, moving him to -10 on the year tied with Dustin Boyd. Phaneuf is -13. Flames skill players are pretty much all on the negative side, when is Rene Bourque coming back? … I wonder if scoring twice on one powerplay with neither counting will help the struggling man advantage units. Their first two opportunities were terrible, but they did move the puck well in the second.
Next Up
Another struggling hockey club, the San Jose Sharks visit the Dome on Monday night. game time 7.30 pm on Sportsnet.
Lines (To Start):
Glencross – Jokinen – Iginla
Cammalleri – Conroy – Moss
Lundmark – Langkow – Bertuzzi
Nystrom – Boyd – Pardy
Regehr – Aucoin
Vandermeer – Phaneuf
Leopold – Sarich
