For the second time in as many games, the Calgary Flames were beaten handily on home soil as they suffered a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
A few notes:
1) Prior to this two-game losing streak I wrote the Flames weren't playing overly well at 5v5, and if that continued the wins wouldn't follow. That's what we're seeing right now.
The Bolts controlled play against the Flames on Wednesday, and the Blue Jackets did the same last night.
Columbus came out flying and out-chanced the Flames 13-3 at 5v5 in the 1st period. It wasn't even a contest. The Jackets had plenty of sustained pressure and their speed caused all kinds of problems. They had a pair of goals to show for their strong start, which turned out to be enough to seal the win.
The Flames showed some life in the latter half of the game but that was score effects as much as anything.
2) Chad Johnson is a good goaltender but he was playing over his head and is finally starting to come down to earth. Over the last two games, he has stopped 42-50 (.840SV%) and allowed some goals he'd probably like to have back.
With his magical run reaching an end, it's time to give Brian Elliott some time in the crease and get him going. The Flames will need both guys confident and playing well in the second half because they're not good enough to win without consistently good goaltending.
3) Sean Monahan extended his point streak to nine games last night with the Flames' lone goal against the Jackets. Monahan has registered 2+ shots in nine of the last 11 games and 3+ in three consecutive games. I've said this countless times but I'll say it again: if he shoots the puck with regularity, the goals and points will be there. His shot is too good to go through slumps if he's shooting.
4) It's official: every player in the NHL hates Matthew Tkachuk. You know you're a pain in the ass when Alexander Wennberg, he of 33 penalty minutes in 165 career games, fights you.
Tkachuk is already very good, obviously, but he's going to be a beast when he puts on a little more weight and fills out.
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