After last night’s 3-2 loss, the Calgary Flames have lost in all seven visits to the T-Mobile Arena. Here are a few observations.
It’s not you it’s me One has to wonder whether it was the Golden Knights that stole a victory or whether the Flames just weren’t themselves for the majority of the game. Most observers would agree that the Flames didn’t look as quick on the puck as they normally do. Whether it was the Golden Knights checking the Flames tighter or simply the notorious Vegas Flu making it’s self a factor can be debated. It’s likely a bit of both.
Close game Despite playing at a slower pace than they usually do, this game could have been tied up a few times in the second half of the third period. If you didn’t start making involuntary noises when Andersson got the puck to as far as the goal line on one opportunity in the third; you must not have been watching. It doesn’t get any closer than that. Several Flames got chances to tie it up, but luck wasn’t on their side in Las Vegas last night.
Playoff style The game was missing the dire physicality of a playoff game, but the tempo was similar to what you would see in the playoffs. Head Coach Darryl Sutter aptly pointed out that this Vegas team is an eventuality if the Flames want to succeed in the playoffs.
Here’s what Sutter had to say on the Golden Knights following the game:
“On paper, they’re clearly the best team out west and maybe other than the team that owns the Stanley Cup, if you look at it, If you want to get out of the Western Conference you’re going to have to go through here — or if you want to get in, you’re going to have to beat this team. It’s not even that close, to tell you the truth.…
A scary thought given they have an elite center coming off LTIR in the near future.
A reason for optimism Calgary has one major advantage on the Golden Knights though. The Golden Knights’ deep playoff runs have caught up to them. They have lost the second most man games to injury in the NHL; behind only Montreal. There have been points this season where only two of their top six forwards have been in the lineup. Older readers can attest to the fact that injuries don’t simply go away. If you’re injured enough to not dress for a game then it’s bad enough to be an issue when playoff attrition starts.
The Flames, conversely, have missed very few players this season. Pitlick for a stretch, Richardson has taken a maintenance day, Hanifin missed a game or two. Nothing substantial though. This Flames roster is in a good position compared to teams that have sacrificed more in recent post-seasons.
The Flames carry on their road trip tomorrow in San Jose to play the red hot Timo Meier and the 13-11-1 San Jose Sharks. Start time is 8:30pm MST.
Trevor Neufeld