Five observations from Calgary vs Vegas:
1. They did it again This Flames team is something else, isn't it? They continue to play well and get themselves into positive situations only to come up with new ways to make sure they don't take advantage of them.
While defending the lead, the Flames out-chanced the Golden Knights by five in the final frame. Both teams had their moments but it mostly felt like the Flames were in control and would see the game out. Then the gaffe happened.
Michael Frolik was pressured by James Neal but he had an open forward behind him. Why he didn't just drop the puck, or rim it around the boards, rather than launch it towards his own net is beyond me. Then T.J. Brodie decides it's a good idea to leave it and, naturally, a surprised Mike Smith kicks out the biggest rebound he has in months right to an unmarked Erik Haula. Frolik got the ball rolling, for sure, but he's not the only one who could have handled that situation better.
Following that goal, the wheels really fell off. The clearly rattled Flames immediately conceded the eventual winner and gave up an empty-netter shortly after to ice the game.
To lose that one is bad. To not even collect a point despite leading with less than two minutes is a complete disaster. This team just loves to shoot itself in the foot.
2. The PK bled chances I guess it didn't matter in the end – they lost anyway – but it's a good thing the Flames were disciplined in this game because they couldn't defend a lick down a man. Vegas' puck movement was really good and they were able to consistently get it into the slot for quality looks. The Golden Knights somehow generated eight scoring chances in just 3:22 on the man advantage, which is insane.
3. Scoring woes continue I know Frolik just returned to the lineup but it's pretty amazing to me that a team with one of the best top lines in the league, and a rock solid top-6 as a whole, can't score goals. Despite playing four of five at home, and facing the likes of Buffalo and Edmonton in that span, the Flames have scored just eight goals. A functioning power play would probably help but still – not good.
4. Matthew Tkachuk is a bad man This kid isn't just good. He's special. Every night he gets tasked with slowing down opposing team's best players, and pissing them off in the process, and yet he's still managed to produce at a 29-goal, 60-point pace as a 20-year-old sophomore. If he's producing at such a high clip given tough minutes, imagine what his production would be like with cushy zone starts and softer competition.
I continue to say he's one of the most dangerous players in the league below the dots and he once again showed us why last night. Marc-Andre Fleury is a very good goaltender who has been around a long time – and won Cups! – and Tkachuk took him to school with the fake wraparound.
That was pretty, oh so pretty! #VGKvsCGY pic.twitter.com/fRLS9VUILx
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) January 31, 2018
5. The 3rd line showed life Troy Brouwer replaced Garnet Hathaway on the 3rd line, which I have mixed feelings about, but as a whole that line looked as good as it has in a couple weeks. They generated some sustained pressure in the offensive zone on a few occasions and Brouwer and Sam Bennett linked up for a goal – although a lucky one – to help the latter bust out of his offensive slump. With the power play struggling, to put it nicely, the Flames really need their bottom-6 to step up and help take some of the pressure off the big guns.