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The Calgary Flames have played fairly well in this series. They have controlled play for large stretches and out-chanced the Anaheim Ducks by an average of eight per game. Despite that, the Flames somehow find themselves in a massive 3-0 hole and on the brink of elimination.
Part of that is bad luck -- some bounces and calls have gone Anaheim's way at crucial times -- but, whatever the reason, time for excuses is over. They have to find a way to win a game or their season is over.
Don't think about winning four games in a row against a team that hasn't lost in regulation in its last 17 games. Don't think about having to win two games in a building the team has lost 29 straight in. Don't think about any of it. I know it's cliche but the Flames really do need to simply take it one game at a time.
If they continue to get the lion's share of the chances, and can stay disciplined, they should have an opportunity to get back in the series. We'll see if that's the case.
Here are the expected line combinations for the Flames:
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Micheal Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Kris Versteeg - Sam Bennett - Alex Chiasson
Lance Bouma - Matt Stajan - Troy Brouwer
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
T.J. Brodie - Michael Stone
Matt Bartkowski - Deryk Engelland
Brian Elliott
And the expected lines for the Ducks (via dailyfaceoff.com):
Rickard Rakell - Ryan Getzlaf - Patrick Eaves
Andrew Cogliano - Ryan Kesler - Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie - Antoine Vermette - Corey Perry
Chris Wagner - Nate Thompson - Logan Shaw
Sami Vatanen - Josh Manson
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Montour
Shea Theodore - Kevin Bieksa
John Gibson
A few notes:
1) Through three games the Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik line has combined for just two points (Backlund and Frolik connected on a short-handed marker). They need to start contributing on the scoresheet if the Flames are going to get back into this series.
2) Ferland is averaging just 12:19 per game yet is tied with Silfverberg for the series lead in shots with 14. Perhaps he should be seeing more ice.
3) The Flames won't be spoon fed power plays like they were last game (they had a plus-5 differential) so they need to start getting it done at 5v5. They have been getting chances -- they have 19 more than the Ducks do at full-strength -- but have just two goals to show for it. They need to start converting tonight.
Tonight's game is scheduled for 10:00 eastern and can be seen on CBC and NBCSN.
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