For the fifth time in six tries the Calgary Flames were unsuccessful in their attempt to put together consecutive wins.
The Flames scored the game's first goal but allowed four unanswered - although one was an empty-netter - after that en route to a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The score was close for much of the game but the Flames were outplayed from start to finish by a tired team and in the end they got the result they deserved.
Some thoughts:
1) The Blackhawks are undeniably one of the most talented teams in hockey but they entered Sunday's game having won nine games and lost eight so it's not as if they've been setting the league on fire. A fresh team desperate for points should not be outplayed significantly by a tired team that hasn't really found its game but that was the case Sunday night.
The Blackhawks out-shot the Flames 41-27, out-chanced them 33-21 (as per War-On-Ice), and really took it to them in every important aspect of the game.
Calgary is far from perfect but a team with as much talent as they have should not be playing this poorly.
2) I don't really understand why Dougie Hamilton can't get a shift on the power play while Kris Russell continues to be used as a regular.
Russell has tallied 25 points or more twice in eight seasons. Hamilton has tallied 25 points or more twice in three seasons and figures to do that with regularity moving forward.
Since entering the league Hamilton also has a higher 5 vs 4 points per 60 (3.88 to 3.72) and nearly triples Russell's shot attempt generation totals (30 to 12) on a per 60 basis.
GM Brad Treliving gave up three top-60 picks to get Hamilton. May as well use him.
3) Speaking of Hamilton his game seems to be heading in the right direction. He's not quite there, though. The Flames desperately need him to step up and play to his potential because half of their defense (Deryk Engelland, Dennis Wideman, Kris Russell) has been a tire fire in their own end for much of the season.
4) Despite some hiccups in the 2nd period Karri Ramo stopped 37-40 (.925 save percentage) and did a good job keeping the Flames in a game they didn't really deserve to be in. Everyone knows about his atrocious start to the season but he's now posted a .920 save percentage or better in three of his last five outings.
5) Let's get to Deryk Engelland, shall we?
He played 8:40 in this game. He was on the ice for three shot attempts for, 18(!) against. That's, uh, not exactly good.
6) The Flames' leading scoring chance getter(s) had two. The Blackhawks had six players with three or more. Kind of puts in perspective how much better Chicago was despite the fact the Flames were in the game until Jonathan Toews' empty net goal with 38 seconds to go.
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