Beyond the Boxscore: Calgary Flames handed their lunch by playoff bound Vancouver

The Calgary Flames had one last road game in them, but it was not for the faint of heart. The Vancouver Canucks showed Calgary what playoff teams are made of and really limited what they were able to get offensively. It may very well have been one of Thatcher Demko’s easiest nights as the Flames barely registered any high danger chances. It was a clear one-sided battle from one team gearing up for the playoffs and another waiting for the final bell to ring so they can go home.

It’s a Team Game – The high danger shot disparity may have been the worst it ever was in any game this season at 17 to 4. It wasn’t a close game as the Flames failed to penetrate for even the simplest of attacks. The games have to be played – and things got a bit feisty at times – but ultimately after things got out of hand there just isn’t much for either team to play for. I mean the people sitting in the seats sure, but at home I had to will myself to the finish line. One more game to go and then everyone can go nuts with the lottery simulator for a few weeks.

Corsi King – Positives! Some players didn’t get taken advantage of (too bad) like MacKenzie Weegar (59.49%) the Flames sure-fire best defenceman. Let’s make one thing clear – just because he was involved in 60% of the total shot attempts does not mean he was able to limit how dangerous they were. Martin Pospisil (57.52%) complimented the best-looking Flame by a mile in Nazem Kadri (53.75%). That’s about where all the positives will end though – the rest of this was a beat down.

Taken By Chance – The best high danger disparity belonged to Adam Klapka (31.46 SCF% // 38.67 HDCF%) and if the best on your roster is 38% you had a whole bunch of issues. At least Huberdeau (41.61% // 36.11%) and Kylington (39.25% // 29.69%) were able to muster up involvement in 3 high danger chances. The trio that played with Mikael Backlund (18.76% // 0%) did next to nothing and did not work in the slightest. The lines were a bit messy to begin with – the experimentation continues to minimal results – and the clear need for some top end talent to drive the roster is prevalent. They can’t just have Kuzmenko (43.62% // 12.26%) feast on bad teams like the Ducks and disappear when the opponents get more difficult.

xGF% – Connor Zary (46.01%) had his worst game up the middle and it was still okay. Everyone else let him down too – especially his defence – but still alright compared to what we are looking for. The Flames MVP while competitive was clearly Jacob Markstrom, but since the fall the guy steering the boat is Nazem Kadri (36.43%). I can not say how much I have come to appreciate just how much he pours into his performances while wearing the flaming C. Not everyone has a great night but after a rough first 10 games he’s hardly ever had a night off. You can see just how much of him – and a player like Blake Coleman – have that Stanley Cup Champion in their nightly performance.

In The Crease – Markstrom’s more than likely last performance of the season with Calgary – and it could be the last one we see of him, ever. One bad year sandwiched by two truly Vezina calibre campaigns. Had Calgary not fell out of things so decisively to start the season he would still be at the top of the goals saved above expectation list with Hellebuyck. Tonight is unfortunate that such a quality goaltender – the best since Kiprusoff – could go out with a performance like that. He was, and still currently is, so much to this organization. A new book is ready to be written though, and it’s a younger story.