Five observations from Calgary’s 3-2 win over Buffalo:
1. David Rittich stole two points I don’t think the Flames played very well. I don’t. They came out of the gate pretty strong in the 1st period, however, their play slowly deteriorated throughout the game. The Sabres were able to generate a lot of sustained pressure in the offensive zone and plenty of quality chances came from that. In particular, there were sequences on Buffalo power plays where Rittich was forced to make numerous high-end saves in quick succession; vs the Sabres’ best players, no less.
All told, the Sabres recorded 36 shots on goal – 26 of which came in the final two periods – and 35 scoring chances, the latter being 11 more than the Flames managed. They controlled a lot of the game by the eye, and their ~63 xGF% certainly backs that up.
Forget about the win. If Rittich wasn’t on his game, the Flames wouldn’t have squeaked out a point.
2. The power play was atrocious You’d be hard pressed to find a worse power play performance than the one Calgary put forth last night. It was embarrassing, really. They were bobbling passes left and right. There were several careless turnovers. They couldn’t even get shop setup in the offensive zone while seemingly every 45 seconds the Sabres were going in for a good shorthanded look. Four minutes is four minutes but the fact Buffalo out-shot Calgary 2-0, recorded the only Grade A chance, and scored a goal while playing a man down is pretty telling. Geoff Ward has a lot of work to do with this group.
3. Top line struggles continued I realize Elias Lindholm scored the overtime winner but, really, the top line was lifeless for the vast majority of the game. They combined for just three shots on goal and *checks notes* zero (0) high-danger chances at 5v5. I don’t recall a single instance where they created an opportunity off the rush, and Johnny Gaudreau turning his back to defenders down low is not exactly the best way for the top line to create offense. I think the Flames might have to break them up again because they’re just not getting enough right now.
4. 3M was terrific I thought Matthew, Mikael, and Mangiapane were really dangerous offensively. They were fantastic working down low and creating chances around the net off the cycle. There were also some quality looks generated off the rush. I thought their passing was really strong; they just seemed connected. As a trio, they combined for 10 scoring chances at 5v5 and finished 1st, 3rd, and 4th among Flames forwards in terms of shot contributions (see below). The Flames didn’t have many guys on their game offensively but, luckily, this line picked up the slack.
5. Fire Michael Stone into the sun Everyone speaks highly of Stone as a hard worker and a great person. I don’t doubt that’s the case. But, man, is he washed. He’s just not a competent NHL player right now. I think he was always overrated, and overused, but we’re really reaching new lows. Almost every time he hits the ice it immediately tilts in the opposing team’s favor. He can’t really handle the puck and there is no foot speed. A couple of times Sabres’ forwards were tired from an extended shift and still used the smidgen of juice they had to blow past Stone in the neutral zone. It’s tough to watch. He has a decent shot and he’s not afraid to get in front of pucks fired from opponents. That’s about all I can say at this point.
I mean, the Sabres out-chanced the Flames 12-1 with Stone on the ice. He’s erasing any edges created when the top-4 is out there.
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As an aside, I will likely write about/comment on the Bill Peters situation once it has concluded. What I will say in the meantime: I don’t see any way he continues on as head coach of the Calgary Flames, and I’m fully in agreement with that.
Shot Contributions
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