Despite controlling play for the majority of the game the Calgary Flames were shut out, 4-0, by the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night.
A few notes:
1) The scoreboard may suggest otherwise but I don't think the Flames played a bad game. They out attempted, out shot, and out chanced the Jets but had a few bad bounces go against them at both ends of the ice. Offensively they hit a couple posts and couldn't capitalize on the many occasions Ondrej Pavelec was flopping around on the ice. In the defensive zone, for example, Brett Kulak's clearing attempt took a weird bounce and landed right in front of the net for an easy Jets goal. It was just one of those nights.
2) I wouldn't expect Nicklas Grossman to last much longer in camp; at least he shouldn't. Grossman played a little less than 15 minutes, 5th among Flames blue liners, and it felt like every time he tried to break out of the defensive zone there were problems. He can't really move the puck and he can't skate so I don't think he can be remotely effective in today's NHL. It doesn't hurt to give him a look, obviously, but I think it's time to move on.
3) The Matthew Tkachuk - Sam Bennett - Alex Chiasson line was Calgary's best by a mile at even-strength. They dominated play and spent the vast majority of every shift in the offensive zone. With that unit on the ice at 5 v 5 they out attempted Winnipeg 19-3 and each player had three shots on goal. Tkachuk and Bennett are having excellent preseasons together.
4) I've been hard on Lauri Korpikoski but to his credit he played a pretty good game. He was a staple on the PK and had a couple good chances there. He also finished above 50% in possession for the first time. I still think the Flames have better options in the bottom-6 but he'll give himself a chance with performances like that.
Recent posts: Predicting the Pacific Division standings