The night before Thanksgiving in the United States featured 30 of 31 NHL clubs facing off, as they NHL plans a full on shut down tomorrow.
The Flames had plenty to thank Mike Smith for on the night before the big American holiday as the big stopper was brilliant is stealing a point in a 1-0 overtime loss in Columbus.
A very good first period was followed by a terrible first 15 minutes of the second, and then a pretty shaky third as the Flames played their worst game in some time; including the 8-2 debacle in Detroit.
But a goaltender is part of a team, and the Flames will take the point and with it a 2-1-1 record in Dallas for the first of their final two games of this six games road trip. A point in either Dallas or Denver gives them a .500 trip, which was the minimal checkmark after a solid 5-2-0 homestand.
Grey Zone
Liked the Flame’s start tonight, as they continue to show they are a dangerous team on the rush, the cycle an in takeaways. However that first period was terrifying for the number of turnovers the club made when crossing the Jacket’s blueline. Grey zone turnovers are killer at any level of hockey (5 feet inside your own blueline and five feet outside the opposition’s blueline), as just getting the puck out or just getting the puck in is often a queue to change lines creating odd man rushes.
Don’t force it!
Oz
Just like the Wizard in that ruby slipper movie the paying public never really knows what’s going on behind the scenes of a National Hockey League team. So when Wes Gilbertson tweeted out yesterday that Brett Kulak was taking extra work at practice and that it looked like Matt Bartkowski was going to sub in for his first game in six.
Now Gilbertson could have been wrong, as we just don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, but you have to wonder; did they consider it and change their minds? Internal dispute solved with sticking with Kulak? Avid readers of Calgarypuck?
Either way, Brett Kulak deserves to stay put, he’s a better defenseman. That’s not to take anything away from Bartkowski however who’s an ideal in case of emergency seventh defender.
Jagr Turnovers
Love the guy, love the story, but man does the old guy turn the puck over a lot these days. He’s trying to create, but without leg speed in an ever increasing league of speed he is over-matched. Might help to get the veteran to simplify things and get it deep or back to a defenseman rather than trying to beat NHLers at a standstill.
Brodie / Hamonic
The most hotly contested issue in the Flame’s current roster setup has been that of the second pairing. The club’s lines seem set, the top pairing is as solid as ever. The third pairing is suddenly a stabilized duo, but the second pairing has been the focus of consternation in recent games.
Tonight the result was certainly a mixed bag.
As a pairing they had one of their best nights of the season, as Travis Hamonic was dominant at 61% shot attempts, his partner 54% and well above the break even point as well.
Individully they differed however, as TJ Brodie turned the puck over in the first period for a great chance on Smith, and then coughed up the game winner in overtime from behind the net unchallenged. Hamonic on the other hand had several key blocks, was mobile all night and noticeable on the attack.
Bennett Demotion
Not sure what to make of the break up of the third line mid way through the second period. The line in general had a rough night, as Bennett actually finished ahead of both Mark Jankowski and Jaromir Jagr in shot attempts, he didn’t have any give aways and wasn’t on the ice for any Jacket goals (obviously). May just have been a mix up to get something going. Only Gulutzan would know.
Overtime
Some interesting things in overtime that should be noted.
First the Brodie give away. Not sure why the dude is having such a tough time, but in his defense it wasn’t bone-headed, it wasn’t selfish or high risk. It was a bobble; it happens.
First viewing of Mark Jankowski in extra time, which didn’t go all that well as he was on the ice for the Brodie cough up. Odd choice in this game though as Jankowski was having a rough night of it in terms of possession and getting stuck in his own zone.
Speaking of player utilization; I love the guy but I wonder about Michael Frolik in three on three hockey. He’s a solid player, but his offensive instincts and shot aren’t the calibre needed to be a game breaker when the skill session starts. His muffin into Bobrovsky when the Jackets were dead tired and on the ropes was a real head scratcher.
Glass Pounding
I’ve never sat behind the net at a hockey game, but if I did I’m not sure I’d pound on the glass like an idiot the way they seem to in almost every single rink in the NHL.
Do we do that in Calgary?
Bobrovsky vs Smith
A great match up of two of the game’s best goaltenders this season, so it was fitting to see the game go to overtime scoreless. Of the two, Smith was certainly the busier of the two stoppers and likely stole a game on the road in getting his team to extra time. Bobrovsky however was also solid as the Flames did get some high quality chances when they were able to break through the prevent defense of the Jackets.
When you look at some goalie ranking this season you’ll see both Smith and Bobrovsky prominently.
Save percentage: Bobrovsky 1, Smith 10
High Danger Chances: Bobrovsky 1, Smith 6
Minutes: Bobrovsky 3, Smith 4
Fancy Stats
Lots to support Smith as the game star as the Jackets out shot the Flames 41-22, had a 60-51 (54%) edge in shot attempts and a 11-5 edge in scoring chances in all situations. Smith was the difference maker.
Individually, the 3M line had a great night with Matthew Tkachuk leading the way with 71% shot attempts on the night. Mikael Backlund and Hamonic were both over 60%, Michael Frolik, Freddie Hamilton, Troy Brouwer and Brodie were all above 50%. At the bottom of the pile was Jankowski at 27%, Jagr 31%, as well as Gaudreau, Kulak, Stone, Bennett and Ferland all under 40%. The Flames got schooled.
