Game Skinny
A classic second game in two nights for the Flames.
They got pounced on early by the Predators, survived the onslaught to settle the game down and make it competitive, before running out of gas in the third period and coming up short. Ryan Ellis was a one man wrecking crew in the final stanza with two rockets from the point.
Difference Makers
The Flames just didn’t have the jam that they had the previous night in North Carolina. The team was firmly on their heels to start the game, and with that there just wasn’t a lot of difference makers lining up. The Stempniak-Backlund-Hudler line was the best of the bunch for generating chances, and getting some play in the Nashville zone so it comes as no surprise that they authored both goals for the visitors. Giordano and Brodie were both solid at the point again.
Development Diary
Was that Byron’s worst game since finding his mark in the NHL, after recall in December? He was out of place, took a penalty and was generally pushed off the puck all night. He’s been pretty effective this season but his perch isn’t strong enough for too many of those nights.
Monahan was largely invisible, but had a good chance on a second period three on two, and still had some down low chemistry with Colborne, who was probably the most impressive of the young group. Colborne once again seems to have found a little more comfort carrying the puck through traffic at the NHL level. Still can’t put a thumb on what this guy will be long term, but hoping his hands make him a second line center.
Draft Implications / Scoreboard
The Oilers lose and stay three points back of Calgary, while the Panthers pick up two points by beating another draft chase team in the Islanders. The perfect night would have been an Oilers win and a three point game in the Panther contest, that is if you can put provincial pride aside and think Ekblad. Will the Oilers pass the Flames this season? With the games in hand and a three point lead it’s looking like it won’t happen until February now, which is a real shock to me. Maybe some UFA jettison trades by Burke will finally do the Flames in.
Ramblings
Still don’t understand the Westgarth move, but then maybe I never will. The line with Westgarth and McGrattan was hemmed in almost every time they stepped on the ice. If the duo was causing chaos, entertaining me on my coach, and giving the Flames an intimidation edge I’d see it, but the Predators are a largely unphysical team so it was a wasted experiment. I do give thought to the notion of the duo helping the Flames with accountability and identity through a rebuild but the thought is quick and out of my mind … Nice to see Ryan Ellis make his mark in the NHL, one of my favourite World Juniors from the past half dozen years. Small but so skilled. … Why is Mikael Backlund such a lightning rod for this team? You either love the guy or can’t stand him or so it seems on the board and in the media. Can’t we just all agree that he’s a solid 2/3 line center that is getting better? … Would guess we will see Berra for the Jets game on Thursday, another chance for the Swiss stopper to take hold of the number one job. Rammo has really seized the job in the last two months. Amazing really to see an inexperienced stopper playing for a bad team with a 8-9 record.
Roster Moves
No roster changes at all from the win the previous night. Will be interesting when the team gets grounded in Calgary for Thursday’s game to get some updates on the walking wounded.
Where Do They Go From Here?
The Flames have a mandated day off today, and then take on the Jets on Thursday. From there it’s a two game roady to Vancouver on Saturday and San Jose on Monday. The Flames have 11 more dates before the Olympic break.
