I’ve seen a lot of odd hockey games in my life, and every few years you get an epic (if you win) or devastating (if you lose) out come in a game that seems completely over at the moment the momentum changes.
I think of a come from behind 4-4 tie against the Sabres in the first year in Calgary. The miracle comeback in Quebec City as another. But I’m not sure I remember a Flames loss that seems more shocking than how the Vegas Golden Knights erased a 2-1 lead with 90 seconds to play and run away with a 4-2 win at the Saddledome on Tuesday night.
Michael Frolik is a professional, he’ll step up the mics and have the right thing to say, but you have to know he’ll be staring at his ceiling when the lights go out in the Frolik household tonight.
Ouch.
The Jagr Chapter
I’m just glad it happened.
I wish it had gone better, but I’m glad it happened at all, as it will be a memorable but short story in Flames history. I liked the fact the Flames were the only Canadian city he’s ever played for, and I like he’s the last team that he played for.
We may never hear the story, but I do think it came down to injuries and perhaps the games played record. My gut says the Flames were trying to get him to sit down for six to eight weeks and get healthy while he wanted to keep running up the games played, eventually detiorating his injury to the point where he was done.
It will be interesting to see how he does in the Czech Republic.
But no regrets and I think he’ll have a last impression on Johnny Gaudreau and others going forward.
Frolik Back in the Lineup
Having Michael Frolik out of the lineup was good for me. It made me appreciate the guy a lot more. I’d always known he was a great complimentary player, but his offence seemed to be drying up and I was wondering if he was losing a step.
Watching the 3M line minus a M made it pretty clear that he does the little things that let his talented linemates do the glamorous work in the spot light. I think Troy Brouwer did a great job in elevating and keeping that line going, but I was anxious to see Frolik back in the lineup tonight, especially with Matthew Tkachuk seemingly taking another step.
The result? Well largely good. The 3M line back together scored the game winner, had the majority of the play and looked like a line reunited until the Frolik gaff late changed the game abruptly.
Brouwer with the Third Line
The trickle effect of the Frolik return was Garnet Hathaway to the fourth line and Troy Brouwer to the third line. The Brouwer / Bennett homecoming had a lot of hockey fans holding their breath given the misery the two have had on a line together over the past two seasons.
The tale of the tape doesn’t look that bad in the end, as Bennett scores, Brouwer gets the assist and the trio with Mark Jankowski all ended up on the right side of the corsi battle, so mission accomplished? Will see.
Killer Instinct or Lack of Finish
Thought media reaction from the Edmonton game was really misplaced when the killer instinct of the group was questioned.
The Flames had a 17-6 edge in five on five scoring chances in the Edmonton game. That’s not taking the foot off the pedal it’s a team that just can’t finish chances with the regularity that they need to put teams away. There’s a difference and it’s pretty easy to see in the statistics.
Benny With The Jets
It’s funny when you notice a player making a difference shift after shift and then he scores. In retrospect it seems obvious it was bound to happen, but in real time the mind doesn’t make the connection. Sam Bennett had it going when many of his teammates didn’t tonight, pushing the play, being physical and creating chances by winning many a puck battle in the Vegas’ zone. Sure his goal was a bit of a fluke but he set up and created other better chances that should have gone.
Lazar Spinorama
Everyone likes the kid, well maybe not social media, but everyone around the team at any rate. If he’s going to write this back on track script he’ll need to build up his confidence and then find a way on to the scoresheet. His highlight tonight wasn’t productive, but you have to give him credit for his spinorama ala Dennis Savard in the second period setting up a chance and making the hightlight reels. Baby steps.
Vegas and the Expansion Rules
I think the lenient rules theory on the Knights is way over done.
- Most of the hockey world thought they would suck AFTER the expansion draft.
- Teams made mistakes (Hi Florida!)
- There’s some luck involved
If you gave Seattle the exact same rules they likely miss the playoffs.
Tonight’s game could very well be an example of some Vegas Magic in season one, that may not be repeated.
Tkachuk Ass Check
Funny how often he catches opponents off guard with the hip flex and butt extension play that he uses night in and night out. In basketball it would be an offensive foul, but in hockey it’s just damn funny. Completely ties to the kid’s competitive spirit.
Hamilton 200 Points
Assist for Dougie Hamilton tonight gives him 200 points on his career.
If you’re curious as to the splits, here they are …
Boston 178 games played 83 points for .47 points per game.
Calgary 213 games played 117 points for .55 points per game.
Keeper!
Powerplay Setup
The Flames powerplay hasn’t been pretty, and may not be pretty again until Kris Versteeg gets back. However the most dangerous it’s looked in the last month or so is when Gaudreau and Tkachuk have their thing going with the sophomore in front of the net and Gaudreau either feeding him a pass or setting him up for a tip. It’s coming.
Also thought the Flames did well to move the puck in traffic, noticeably with the Knights really crowding the Flames points and half wall option.
With that said … zero for three and only the first one looked dangerous at all. That’s just not good enough. How many points would the Flames have had in that four game loss in extra time streak if they could have potted a powerplay goal or two? Answer: Many.
Out!
With 90 seconds left the Flames were on their way into 2nd in the division with the Sharks loss to the Penguins tonight.
Instead they get zero points and stumble out of the playoffs with the Kings, Wild and Ducks all picking up points. The three California teams and Calgary all sit within one point with the Flames, Kings and Sharks all having a game in hand on the Ducks.
Fancy Stats
This was a well played hockey game by the Flames. With a handful of minutes left in the third period they had only allowed five five on five scoring chances in the game. In the end their five on five splits end 51% / 59% / 58% with that 58% slipping from 65% with 300 seconds to go.
Scoring chances were 9-8 for the Knights in the end.
Individually the only players under the break even point five on five was the third pairing as Brett Kulak and Michael Stone posted an average of 38% on the night. Mark Giordano led all skaters with 69%, despite being on his knees as he watched the game winner go by him. Matt Stajan, Travis Hamonic, Dougie Hamilton, TJ Brodie, Garnet Hathaway and Johnny Gaudreau were all 60% or better as well.
