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Five observations from Calgary vs New York:
1. A flat start proved costly
Though the Flames were playing for their playoff lives, you wouldn't have been able to tell from the start of last night's game.
They were very slow coming out of the gate and, once again, they paid the price for it. The Islanders generated sustained offensive zone time in the first couple shifts and did a nice job working the puck low-to-high and getting to the net. They were rewarded with a pair of goals off Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk point shots, one of which was aided in by Troy Brouwer (hey, he did something!).
As is often the case, the Flames responded after falling behind the 8-ball by taking it to their opposition for the vast majority of the game. Unfortunately, their habit of making any goaltender they go up against look like a Vezina candidate once again reared its ugly head.
Chris Gibson owns a .909 save percentage through 33 games in the AHL this season. And he stopped 50 shots last night to severely dent already somewhat slim playoff hopes.
If that isn't the perfect game to summarize the Flames' season, I don't know what is.
2. The Flames lack finishing talent
If you watch the Flames a few times, you quickly realize why GM Brad Treliving said he was worried about the team scoring goals in his preseason sit down with TSN's Bob McKenzie – and why he was linked to the likes of Evander Kane, Max Pacioretty and Mike Hoffman leading up to the trade deadline.
Simply put, the Flames don't have enough goal scoring ability.
Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau are consistent stars. Matthew Tkachuk is developing into one. After those three, Micheal Ferland – a very solid secondary player – is the best scorer on the roster.
Mikael Backlund will pot one on occasion but defense and playmaking are more in his wheel house. Michael Frolik will generate a ton of chances but he's not going to score many. Sam Bennett hasn't developed into the finisher the team hoped. And there just isn't much beyond that.
I don't think the season has gone off the rails due to a lack of effort, or due to a lack of chances. It (largely) has happened because they just can't finish on their opportunities. They most certainly need some more scoring depth and another established finisher would be great, too. Otherwise we can expect a lot more of this.
3. Mike Smith was out-played
There's going to be some rust after a month out of action. I get that. I also realize the Flames didn't do much to help Smith out, particularly on the first two goals.
In saying that, he coughed out some unusually large rebounds – see Anders Lee's goal – and conceded four times on 26 shots (.846SV%) vs a struggling team in a game his side was desperate to win. That's just not good enough. His counterpart, who is 25 and been a career AHLer to date, faced double the volume and allowed half the goals.
Anything can happen in a one game sample, but you'd expect your established NHL goaltender pulling in $5.66 million this season to be better than a $650,000 goaltender appearing in his third game of the year.
4. Sean Monahan was a chance machine
You know things are bad when No. 23 is piling up the chances from anywhere and everywhere and can't convert. He usually cashes in *everything*.
Last night he posted game highs in shot attempts (13), shots (7), and scoring chances (8) and couldn't manage to get one by Gibson. The looks were there but nothing would go which, again, is a good way to summarize the season as a whole.
5. Travis Hamonic was solid
This has been a common theme of late. I feel like Hamonic and T.J. Brodie are meshing better now than they have all season and are finally starting to play at the level, or close to the level, many expected when the Flames parted with their 1st and 2nd round picks in order to put that duo together. On one hand, it's great to see. On the other, where has this been all season?!? I can't help but think they'd be in a much better position if the top-4 was this solid all year long.
Their recent play leaves hope for next season. That doesn't heal the wound of likely missing the playoffs and giving up a potential lottery pick(!!!), though.
Recent posts:
Flames dismantle Sabres, get back in win column
The Flames were smart to re-sign Mikael Backlund
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland line has been one of league's best this season
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