The Calgary Flames played a game on Saturday afternoon. They visited the San Jose Sharks and played fairly decently, all things considered. The Sharks are a team that’s on their way to the Stanley Cup playoffs and finds ways to win. The Flames? Well, they’re… not.
The Flames scored a goal and had a bunch of scoring chances, but that’s all they could muster in a 5-1 loss to the Sharks. They have six games remaining this season.
The Rundown
The first half of the first period was fairly even. However, a defensive lapse in the Flames end allowed a nice pass from Chris Tierney to a wide open Brendan Dillon at the point and his wrister beat David Rittich to make it 1-0. (Rittich had a clear view of it, but couldn’t stop it). Just over a minute later the Sharks made it 2-0. Brent Burns’ pass to the slot was redirected off Jannik Hansen’s stick, off Mark Jankowski, and into the net – Jankowski couldn’t tie up Hansen. But the Flames responded, as Michael Stone scored off a slap shot through traffic to make it 2-1.
Wanna see what an extremely hard shot looks like … it looks like this. Stone. Can. Wire. It. #CGYvsSJS pic.twitter.com/lK5D8GslyX
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 24, 2018
The visitors had tons of pressure early in the second, but no goals. Evander Kane made it 3-1 off a nice pass from Tierney short-handed off a bad line change and Johnny Gaudreau neglecting to cover Kane. Shots were 10-7 Flames but chances were 13-9 Sharks. Shots were 17-13 Flames and chances 11-8 Flames.
The Flames didn’t have a ton of jump in the final period. Justin Braun made it 4-1 when the puck shot out of scrum along the way and sent him all alone where his wrister beat Rittich. Kane added another goal off a redirection in front of the net to make it 5-1. Shots were 10-8 Flames, chances were 7-7.
Why The Flames Lost
At this point the Flames just don’t have a ton of jump. They’re without four regulars due to injury. A few regulars are probably still playing through injuries. They were okay in just about every area, but the Sharks got better goaltending, were better defensively, and were better at burying their chances.
The Flames lost because they weren’t as good as the Sharks.
Red Warrior
Hamilton led the team in shots. For a team that’s not scoring a bunch, that’s pretty big.
The Turning Point
Kane’s short-handed goal to make it 3-1 was a back-breaker. They were a bounce away from being tied up, but because of some shoddy back-checking they were down (and stayed down) for the rest of the game.
The Numbers
(Percentage stats are 5-on-5, data via Corsica.hockey)
| Player | Corsi For% |
O-Zone Start% |
Game Score |
| Ferland | 66.7 | 16.7 | 1.210 |
| Jankowski | 64.0 | 16.7 | 0.655 |
| Stewart | 62.1 | 16.7 | 0.975 |
| Gaudreau | 60.5 | 100 | 0.400 |
| Kulak | 59.5 | 50.0 | 0.325 |
| Hamonic | 57.6 | 50.0 | 0.300 |
| Bennett | 55.9 | 100 | 0.190 |
| Andersson | 51.9 | 57.1 | -0.075 |
| Lazar | 51.7 | 100 | -0.015 |
| Hamilton | 51.2 | 58.8 | 0.225 |
| Giordano | 50.0 | 56.3 | 0.125 |
| Frolik | 50.0 | 33.3 | 0.150 |
| Shore | 48.4 | 60.0 | 0.070 |
| Stone | 48.3 | 66.7 | 0.900 |
| Backlund | 47.6 | 33.3 | 0.000 |
| Hathaway | 45.8 | 50.0 | -0.035 |
| Brouwer | 44.4 | 33.3 | 0.005 |
| Glass | 37.0 | 50.0 | -0.225 |
| Rittich | — | — | -0.950 |
| Smith | — | — | — |
This and That
Travis Hamonic fought Kane in the third period, ending with Hamonic utilizing some mixed martial arts with a double-leg takedown. It was fun, as far as fights go. Garnet Hathaway fought Dillon in the third and it wasn’t as fun.
Kent sums up the second period, and the Flames season since the Bye Week:
Flames this period: complete territorial domination, but no goals. Break away (wide), 2on1 on the PP (no shot), partial breakaway (wide), clear look from the slot (shot deflected, harmless as a result).
— Kent Wilson (@Kent_Wilson) March 24, 2018
The Drive to 96 (Points)
The Flames now have 80 points with 6 games remaining. There simply are not enough games left for them to get enough points (a projected 96) to qualify for a playoff spot. They’re mathematically eliminated with any combination of 2.5 Ducks wins or Flames losses.
Up Next
The Flames (35-31-10) head down to Southern California tonight. They visit the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night.
hello sheep. How was the “leader” backlund and JG and Gio today? is the swede multimillionaire strutting his stuff for the the next 5 years and that team friendly cap hit? BAHAHAHAHA!! Backlund at 5.5 for what 5 years ? bahahahaqhaqhaha.
I reckon we should trade for a guy like Malcolm Subban. High ceiling, could play right now but also is still a good player to take a backup spot (so Mike Smith could get another year in), or take over as a starter when Mike ain’t playing too well. Kind of like what Kinkaid is doing for the Devils.
Again, depth. Getting quality players in key positions, and learning how to play without an injured player ‘ruining’ the season (“if only we had Kris Versteeg our power play would have been great!”).
I get the call for more youth, and I get the speed game. But we need some players who are more established. NOT BROWER. Or other veterans like that. Like middle of the row guys who are hungry, talented, and can generate and make plays on their own. Hopefully once GG is gone (keep crossing your fingers and toes everyone) we could actually have a playing style that could work for the players, rather than some coaches mathematical wet dream.
I can’t help but think about that shortie Cogliano scored the other night. Pure hustle and determination. We need us some bottom six like that! Would be nice if some of it is home grown. Klimchuk comes to mind.
i wonder what Flames would like they had Kane and Buffs 1st for brodie and backlund the bust. Flames could use a guy like Kane. trash away sheep.
From the talk you need really strong leadership, coach and players to benefit from a guy like Kane. The Flames coach does not talk to the team during the game, that is not strong leadership. We hear that Gio is a good leader but Monahan does not seem to have a lot of emotion and Brouwer simply cannot have the respect of the other players.
So it seems like Kane would be a disruption and not a positive one.
Backlund & Lazar to Vancouver for their 1st. It’s no secret that Vancouver loves Backlund and were really hoping that Tre couldn’t sign him so they could swoop in. Lazar may need one last change of scenery and it’s best to trade him now while he’s on a very friendly contract
Backlund & Lazar for Vancouver’s high % lottery pick. When did Trevling become Vancouver’s GM?
Teams who have a bad season can always take comfort in the fact they will get a good player in the draft. This team is so poorly managed their fans can’t even look forward to that. I mean seriously who hires Burke after what they have seen from him in the past? Oh well at least flames fans have that new arena to look forward too.
And maybe now you can explain the hiring of Chia to us, Mr. Obvious? Having Chia is like trying to feed gas into your diesel, convinced that it will keep running.
No dice..make fun of Edmonton for truths but Chirelli is not that bad. Better than Treliving i believe..Lucic > Brouwer..also the Taylor Hall move needed to be done..should have tried to get a pick as well but the team was better..
@ JoelOttos jock sniffer… Taylor Hall move needed to be done? Haha, what a load of crap. And then to get fleeced to boot? You mouth sexing Pete doesn’t fool anyone. Your spray googles are waaaaay to orange.
Bahaha thanks green bastard, you sound like the little pus*ies that chirp from behind a bird cage..cute. if you would like to debate hockey, i am all for it, you want to be an internet tough guy..beat it. Go enjoy that bowl of soup at the mustard seed
BS
You are an idiot
If that was directed at me THANK YOU
There is no doubt that Edm has had a bad year and some poor moves have been made,but come on …. pot, kettle, stones and glass houses and all that.
It would appear to me that both organizations have lots of room for improvement
Y
ou are right that the deal needed doing. Adam Larsson is one of the best “defenceman” in the west. Played 134 games last 2 years (missed a bunch when his father passed this winter) and is a plus 55 for the Oilers. By comparisson McDavid 156 games plus 49, Gio has 157 games – plus 22, Hamilton 157 games – plus 13. Knowing that Larsson is not an offensive juggernaut, he must be doing something right in his own zone.
Do you google these lines? Lol Chia didn’t sell the farm for 5-6 d men, 37 year old goalie and the sniper lazar.
No Chi just traded Taylor Hall for one(5-6 d man) and Eberle for sniper Ryan Strome LOL That is Far Worse …
Anyone who knows hockey knows Taylor was not a team player and he wasn’t going to play behind McDavid. Hall even came out and said in an interview a month ago he didn’t listen to coaches before this year. That’s a frickin cancer and chia got rid of it. We needed Defence. Larson is a hard nose team player. He ain’t no “Brodie” but he’ll do lmao
As for eberle who refused to go in the corners first and couldn’t get a single point in the playoffs. That was a salary dump. For stromes salary he has contributed 14 goals and 20 assists this year and has an even rating. I bet Calgary wouldn’t mind a guy like that on there 3rd line. Anything else you’d like to me to explain about how chia is a better manager than Puppet Tre?
You are right that the deal needed doing. Adam Larsson is one of the best “defenceman” in the west. Played 134 games last 2 years (missed a bunch when his father passed this winter) and is a plus 55 for the Oilers. By comparisson McDavid 156 games plus 49, Gio has 157 games – plus 22, Hamilton 157 games – plus 13. Knowing that Larsson is not an offensive juggernaut, he must be doing something right in his own zone.
Our season could have been saved in December or January but BT didn’t fire GG when it was OBVIOUS that couldn’t run a kool-aid stand. WTF….swallow your pride. You have one more summer to get this team and organization on track in my books.
I think BT was between a rock and a hard place. Ownership doesn’t want to pay for two head coaches to sit at home, and prospective coaches for next year would shy away if they feel our GM has an itchy trigger finger. Giving GG a full two years shows he has patience to let the coach try to prove his worth.
One word. Gaudreau. He has not given up.
All those who gave the kid grief for a totally mistaken presumption about not caring for the team or city….wrong. I’ve been nothing but impressed with his level of motivation and passion for his teammates and dare I say it, us. He gives a damn, we should be stoked he’s one of ours. Kid doesn’t quit.
If you call hanging around a Center ice not quitting, ok
If you call crying gives a damn
What the hell was he doing on that first goal???? I loves Johnny H. but that was BS!
He made that same mistake earlier this year.
His backcheck attempt on that shorthanded goal should make bloopers of the year. 2 guys standing still alone on your goalie, and there goes Johnny, skates right between them and just keeps on going right out of the picture. Doesn’t do anything, just skated by and let them continue their 2 on 0. Then the pass and a goal. Super effort.
That third goal, holy crap. That was the worst bit of back checking I’ve ever seen. Johnny skated right past Kane without so much as touching him. Just a fly by leading to an easy goal. Rittich was not happy
Once again beaten by Evander Kane now with 6 goals against the Flames. 12 points in 12 games with the Sharks. Calgary Flames: oh no we aren’t trading anyone off the roster for a rental player now fast forward a month, BT: we are trying to acquire a 1st round pick in the 2018 draft, lol. Meaning you will have to trade someone off the roster now for complete unknown.
Treliving is a garbage gm, he should be the first to go before he gets a chance to screw up anymore.
But Kane might show up to the rink one day wearing sweat pants , that won’t be good lol
Seems to me there were a lot of posts on here before the trade deadline begging BT not to make a play for Kane.
I LOVE how the Oilers are winning meaningless games; it means no new GM……no new coach…..no new goaltender……..no meaningful trades……worse draft lottery odds (even though they probably win again…).
WW
WW usually you don’t come off as a whiner…..
Walter whiner…ww
That is not whining. He’s Just speaking his truth. Plus you know he’s probably right. 😃
Sorry but that sounds petty not sure how that is worse than the Flames losing meaningful games with no high picks at all. I guess degrading the Oilers makes you feel better.
So the Flames are on a 5 game losing streak and are 9 points out of a playoff spot but the Oilers winning makes you happy? Well this is an odd turn of events but all are welcome to hop on the Oilers band wagon, even you Willie Wonka!
Oilers have never tanked for a draft pick. The year they won the Lottery and selected McDavid, unlike Buffalo, Toronto and Arizona, they were .500 in March and April. Flames can’t muster enough pride to win even though with every loss they just make the Islanders GM look like a genius.
Always so preoccupied with the oilers.
Seriously though. Both terribly disappointing years for both teams. What’s more of a tell about the future of the teams? The flames choking when games matter? Or the oilers streaking when they don’t? Probably depends which fan base you ask. Neither looks pretty 😐
You’re right as long as Edmonton loses Walter could t care less what happens to the flames. Yes he is always whining by the way
What about the flames losing meaningful games. Which is worse?
OK folks let’s break the Doom and gloom mood here. It ain’t getting any better for the rest of the year so might as well look for bright spots. What did you see that you liked? For me I liked the look of Phat Ras out there (other than the holding penalty) and Kulak and Hamonic paired great together … would like to see more.
How did Lazar look?
He looked like Lazar. 3 goals in the last 3 years lol pathetic that treliving is the only only one who sees something in him.
For a second I thought you were talking about Lucic. Man, that guy sucks. He’s like a diamond – a gift that keeps on giving.
Lucic is on pace for his career average, but then again Lazar with his 6 points all year is too lmao
Ya… I’d take Lazar(23, $950,000X2) Over Lucy(29) all day long, esp for 6Million X6… LOL Now that is some Fine GMing Right There LOL… Hell the Oiler’s Lucy deal actually makes All their D-men $$$ Look good, so you have that! LOL Sekera(31),Russell(30), Larsson(25), Klefbom(24) All making 4+Million for at least 3 More Years… LOL Good Luck with That….
Klefbom and Larson are steals at $4 million with term left
He looked decent. I really like the idea of keeping that top lime together past this season and maybe having Tkchuck Janko Monny as a second line
I didn’t see the game, but I was actually thinking the first line next year to be JH-Monny-Lazar. Why you think I’m off the rails, as much as I thought Ferland was the muscle for the line, he is not himself with prior injuries. I don’t know the full details of course but it seems he’s not inclined to mix it up. So, as an alternative you have Lazar providing more speed, hoping for improvement in scoring touch and more defensive skills to prop up JH’s creativity that occasionally goes sideways.
IMO he looked “fine”. Just not 1st line “fine”. Lots of hustle, no hands. 4th line kinda “fine”
The kid plays hard and costs next to nothing. It would be interesting to see him slotted in with Backlund and Frolik as a shutdown line. No premium on scoring and a big bonus to not be scored against. Of curse that would require a coach that can match lines.
I heard rumors that Glens hair was “Fabulous”. That’s always a good thing.
For the thousandth time I will say it again.
You cannot win in this league with your being very offensively and a threat. We have the wrong players in the wrong roles in almost every aspect of this team.
You cannot afford to have a $5.5 million second line centre that cannot carry the load offensively. You just cannot when you have guys like Malkin and most of the second line centres in this league.
You make it blatantly obvious the strategy the opposing teams need to deploy which is shut down our first line and keep puck possession on the others.
They don’t fear our shot. You wanna talk about getting a lucky goal? Ain’t gonna happen because the opposing team just gets out of the way and clears a path for the goalie.
We need to make some very bold moves this summer and I think trading Backlund ought to be at the top of that list along with Frolik.
Bottom line is that Backs loves the org and Calgary. Ditto for Frida. In a league full of guys who have clauses in their contracts that denote Calgary as No Go Zone, fans should celebrate Backs’ desire to remain here. Kudos to Tre for keeping the AAV of the new deal below the Gio line. Had Backs had gone free agency you know he would have got an AAV of at least $7M.