Do the Flames have a chance to make the playoffs? Of course they do, never say never and all that jazz.
To do so though, they’d need to find the win column against the non-playoff club Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. No touches are easy in the NHL, but to toss out back to back losses against teams on the outside looking in and, well, you get the picture.
Luckily a steady if non-glamorous 3-1 victory by the Flames alleviates the most recent concern, sending the team on a three game road trip that simply has to result in at least four points.
Stay tuned!
On The Line
This section should almost be eliminated as it will be one giant “ditto” from now on until the conclusion of the season. They have to win, every night, with very few missteps. Tonight was clearly no different.
The Flow
The Flames started by skating in sand, the first two shifts were all Ducks and luckily some good down low coverage prevented an early strike. From there the Flames found their legs and the play for the rest of the period, hitting the scoreboard on a fluke Nigel Dawes powerplay deflection goal.
The Ducks were the better team to start the second as well, pinning the Flames and generating lots of shots and chances early. The Flames took it over again, and ran up a 7 shot rally mid period but failed to find the twine and double their lead. The Ducks tied it soon after making one wonder if it was to be one of those nights. However during some Duck pressure Rene Bourque was sprung on a break and made no mistake to put the Flames back in front 2-1 after two.
The Flames somewhat surprisingly didn’t sit back in the third, they took the play to the Ducks and were full marks in going ahead 3-1 and then cruising to a win. Great play by Jarome Iginla on the Hagman goal to salt things away.
Three Stars
1. Jarome Iginla: A streaky player that is more often than not a first star when he fills the net himself. Tonight, after the first he was a heads up player, moving the puck and contributing two way. Good sign.
2. Rene Bourque: Twice in a week he’s gotten loose for huge breakaway goals that have helped determine games. Game breaker in the making.
3. Scott Niedermayer: Scored the Duck’s only goal and was one of the few even or better players for the visitors on the night.
Big Save
With the Flames up 1-0 in the second and the Flames putting on pressure down low Bobby Ryan almost caught Miikka Kiprusoff sleeping before the Fin got his pad on the puck. Honorable mention for Mikael Backlund getting a stick on Teemu Selanne down low on an empty net.
Big Hit
Easy … Brett Sutter on Brett Festerling’s face in the first period. Sutter was three seconds into his call up when he managed to find five minutes for fighting. Welcome back!
The Goat
Cory Perry. Gold olympian changed the game with his giveaway to Iginla/Bourque on the blueline with the Ducks pressing in a tied game. Big swing mistake.
Mr. Clutch
Miikka Kiprusoff. could have been a game star, but wasn’t pushed enough to garner the vote. Solid early, and solid in the second though as the Flames required only solid and not spectacular puck stopping.
Odds and Ends
Well you don’t make the playoffs without winning that one. The Avalanche and the Flames have a tough schedule, skeds that conceivably could end in sub .500 records. The team that manages to go .650 or better is likely in, but advantage Denver should they both excel. … The Flames were stuck in sand until Mark Giordano took the puck coast to coast and got the fans into it. That simply has to continue from players that have that ability. … Shame that Niklas Hagman only scored once, he was the best forwards all night and should have had three. … How do you feel if you’re Brian McGrattan, sitting 17 straight only to have Brett Sutter summoned to replace Langkow when you’re the last healthy forward in town? Death of the tough guy? … Speaking of Sutter (the player, not the Dir of Player Personnel, nor the scout, or head coach or GM) the kid is well beyond his years when it comes to fourth line, simply play, hockey economics. Smart player. … Flames powerplay is still sketchy but better than it was a few weeks ago. Why? Don’t know. Seems to be more traffic and shots from the point. … Why Brent why is Conroy on the second line ahead of Backlund? They’re both getting minutes now, give the kid the shooters..
Next Up
Thursday night from Long Island against the expansion cousin Islanders, Sportsnet 5pm
Lines:
Bourque – Stajan – Iginla
Hagman – Conroy – Kotalik
Dawes – Backlund – Moss
Sutter – Nystrom – Mayers
Regehr – White
Giordano – Sarich
Bouwmeester – Staios
Kiprusoff
