Through the ups and downs of January the Flames managed to avoid streaks, both good and bad, as they’ve struggled their way to a middling effort without being able to add some comfort level to their playoff spot.
Seasons are squandered on losing skids, and the Flames have managed to avoid getting into trouble in that regard, at least until tonight where the Flames dropped a 4-0 game in Toronto, giving them three straight losses, and a record of 3-6-1 in their last ten. If things weren’t dire before, they certainly are now as the team travels to Montreal to play the back half of a pre all star break back to back.
Get the paddles, stat!
The Flow
A much better first period for the Flames, although they did get out shot 13-8 in the period. Better jam and better attention to details, plus their goaltender seemed to be up to the test. The Flames own the first few minutes of the first period, generating chances on goaltender Fredrik Anderssen, but fail to get one by the Toronto stopper. The Flames take the game’s first penalty when Troy Brouwer takes a slashing penalty, creating lots of zone time for the Leafs but no goals. Calgary gets a great shorthanded chance when guess who, but Michael Frolik and Mikael Backlund go in on a two on one, with Backlund getting stoned by Anderssen. The Leafs open the scoring, the 8th straight game where the Flames give up the game’s first goal, when Zeitsev spins around and blindly throws the puck in, Mitch Marner tipping it home for a late back breaking goal. Leafs lead 1-0 after one.
Sadly the first period was about as good as it got for the Flames tonight, as things slid markedly down hill after that. The Leafs double their lead in the second when Nazem Kadri beats Brian Elliott high, a shot that I think might have hit Derryk Engelland’s stick and went roof. The Flames hang in there for the rest of the period, and even have Johnny Gaudreau in all alone on a Calgary powerplay but the wee winger shoots wide, the puck goes up the ice and Hyman squeaks one through Elliott’s pads and the game pretty much felt done. Leafs lead 3-0 after two periods.
With a three goal lead the third period was pretty much academic, and the two teams treated it that way for the most part. The Flames take a penalty and Kadri pops his second of the night to make it 4-0, but the Flames don’t do a whole lot to push Anderssen in the Toronto crease for his shut out. The Flames get a late powerplay but the sense of urgency was well, scoreboard, as the game whittles away for the team’s third straight loss, all by at least 4-0 deficits at one point. Not a good stretch.
Possession Pulse
First Period – The shot attempts match the eye test once again as Toronto controls the first period by a 19-13 mark five on five, 24-16 overall.
Second Period – The Flames give up 2 goals in the second, but out shot attempt the Leafs 13-11, 21-18 if you include powerplays.
Third Period – Why they have “score adjusted” on data sites these days, the Flames dominate the shot attempts 15-6 five on five and 19-10 overall, but don’t be fooled, not a lot happened.
Players – Third straight game where the Flames get behind early, and then pile up five on five shot attempts to fulfill the mission of becoming a possession team. With that there were only 5 players under the 50% mark on the night and they included Calgary’s top pairing ironically as the two possession kings were both in the high 30s on the night. They were joined by Johnny Gaudreau, the other Hamilton and Sam Bennett. Ouch. Guys on the top of the list included Kris Versteeg, Michael Frolik and TJ Brodie all over the 60% mark.
1. Nazem Kadri: The Flames always seem to give this guy a boost as he’s always hyper involved in the game. This time without shenanigans as he posts two goals to pace the Leafs.
2. Fredrik Andersen: Not sure he had all that tough of a night, but he did stop all 26 shots for the shut out.
3. Mitch Marner: A goal and an assist plus an odd blowing of kiss incident that the guys on Sportsnet just loved.
Big Save
Fredrik Anderssen was razor sharp early, but at his best when he got his big frame in front of a Mikael Backlund one timer shorthanded to keep the game tied at zero.
The Goat
This might seem mean but I’m going with Johnny Gaudreau. He was on the ice for two Leafs even strength goals to finish the night -2 but also failed to convert on chances offensively, quelling moments of potential momentum shifts lost. Two points in 11 games now, he has to find it soon.
Mr. Clutch
Nikita Zaitzev. Had an assist, led the Leafs defenseive core in ice time and was noticeable all night. Quite a find for the Leafs out of the KHL.
Odds and Ends
The Flames are 3-5-1 in their last nine games so calling Saturday night’s game the low point of the season would be a little dramatic given their brutal start to the season. However the nature in which they lost had a lot of eyes on the team when they headed out on the ice for the pregame skate this morning, with everyone expecting message sending changes. In the end they swapped out the goaltender (Chad Johnson for Brian Elliott) which is a solid move given the recent starts to game for Johnson. That couldn’t continue. On the blueline they take out Jyrki Jokipakka who was awful on the Oiler’s third goal on Saturday for Brett Kulak; his first start since being recalled. Finally they switch Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett in the lineup giving Monahan back to his regular linemate from last season Johnny Gaudreau, and Bennett gets two vets in Kris Versteeg and Troy Brouwer. The Flames desperately need to find a second line. Finally, Freddie Hamilton comes back in for Micheal Ferland who struggled against the Oilers, leaving two men wide open leading to Oiler goals. … The big news in Calgary was Elliott Friedman’s bombshell this morning that he wasn’t sure Brad Treliving will be back next year. I honestly don’t know what to make of that one, as it seems insane to me but I’ve always respected Elliott Freidman as a reporter, so he’s not making it up. Loved the fact that Roger Millions had John Shannon tonight who had talked to Ken King and pretty much settled things. The Flames and Treliving have talked extension and both sides are interested in getting something done. He finished by opining that Treliving isn’t going anywhere. Phew. … Lots of caught and then not caught high sticks tonight in the ever fun analysis of the Flames, fair shakes and the Wideman issue. Those that read these stories often will notice that I don’t get into ref calls very often as I truly believe they even out over a season. But tonight you had Frolik nabbed twice for high sticks but Versteeg taking high sticks twice with a call, Gaudreau hit high and not called, and then Brodie clipped as well and called for embellishment. Odd game. …. Sam Bennett looked particularly lost tonight as he fought the puck badly in the second half of the game. The poor kid really needs a goal to get off the snide and back to the hockey he’s capable of playing. Last year he scored a goal after 18 without a marker and did a demonstrative monkey off his back gesture so you know he’s aware of the pressure. But don’t give up on this kid, he’ll find it. … Loved seeing Mark Giordano going after Komarov after the Gaudreau hit. He lost his balance and didn’t deliver justice in the end, but the gesture is really important in the dressing room.
Next Up
The Flames are right back at it tomorrow night in Montreal taking on the Habs; game time 5pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik
Versteeg – Bennett – Brouwer
Gaudreau – Monahan – Chiasson
Bouma – Stajan – Ferland
Giordano – Hamilton
Brodie – Wideman
Kulak – Engellend
Elliott
