The Flames have been solid in the second half of back to back games this season, coming in at a 4-1-0 record through five attempts on the year.
Not so much tonight however.
The Flames were simply awful in the first period, much better in the second and then terrible again for the first 15 minutes of the third in going down by a score of 2-1 to the Ducks on Friday night in Anaheim.
For those counting the Flames losing streak in Anaheim is now one.
Frolik Week To Week
I wasn’t surprised to not see Michael Frolik coming back last night after taking a Brent Burns shot in the face in the third period, but my assumption was a big cut, some stitches and back on the ice tonight in Anaheim. So it’s a real shame to hear he has a broken jaw and has been returned to Calgary. Frolik isn’t a prolific player but he’s a meat of the game player and a huge signing by Treliving.
With Frolik out the Flames moves Jaromir Jagr up from the fourth line to his spot on the 3M line that I guess can no longer be called the 3M line.
Game Starting Lineup
I’m a pretty staunch defender of Glen Gultutzan this year but I’ve certainly been disappointed by some of his deployment decisions this season, and tonight was no different.
The club started the third line last night and they kicked things off with a big push, setting up a first period where the Flames came away with a 2-1 lead. Tonight they put out the fourth line with the second defense pairing in a building where they’ve finally one ending a slump that went back to 2004. Is that the place to start marginal hockey players?
With Frolik out they don’t have a shut down line, but why not come out with the third line again backed by Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton. Take the play to the Ducks and set the game up on the right foot. Instead it’s a 1-0 deficit and a 20-5 shot differential through twenty minutes.
On the counter point it was somewhat amusing to see Matt Bartkowski lead the rush that results in the Ferland goal as he was an odd addition to the lineup given Brett Kulak’s strong play last night. Kulak was the Flame’s best possession player the night before in San Jose.
Powerplay Adjustment
The Flames didn’t get a lot of time on the powerplay, but one thing that jumps out to me with the new grouping is the role of Mikael Backlund playing Kris Versteeg’s role on zone entries.
The one argument for putting Johnny Gaudreau on Backlund’s line through the years was the fact that it would load the roster up with it’s two best zone entry guys on the same line. Playing on the top powerplay however it makes sense as Backlund is able to fill the roll that Versteeg filled by giving the team a second option moving up the ice and entering the zone. The team has three powerplay goals in the last five games so maybe it’s coming.
Where Did You Go Sean Monahan?
The guy was off to the best start of his career with a progression that suggested 50 goals was possible. He was good in the dot, he was killing penalties, playing well in his own zone, and carrying the puck with a purpose.
Now? He’s lost.
He handles the puck like a hand grenade, doesn’t get into those greasy zones that result in goals and is the principal reason why his line has been a complete mess in the last month.
Come home please!
Fancy Stats
Talk about fancy stats matching the eye test, this game was a carbon copy. The Ducks run the first with 72% of the shot attempts, the Flames run the tables to a margin of 75% in the second but the Ducks take it back in the third with 70%. Overall the Ducks hold a 52% edge on the night. Scoring chances five on five were 6-5 Anaheim, but 8-7 Calgary in all situations.
Individually, the third line and the second pairing was the Flames best as Hathaway, Bennet, Jankowksi, Hamonic and Brodie led the way in terms of shot attempts five on five. The fourth line had a rough night finishing in the mid 30s on the night.
