Looking For Positives From Game 1
By Ryan Pike
8 years agoWell, the Calgary Flames got fed their own lunch last night at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. They lost 6-1. The game was never close.
So, what positives can be gleaned from such a one-sided butt-kicking?
- Both Matt Stajan and Mikael Backlund matched up well in terms of face-offs against Rickard Rakell. Stajan went 5-for-6 and Backlund went 3-for-5. It’s a start.
- In terms of match-ups against Anaheim’s top two centers? Josh Jooris out-dueled Ryan Getzlaf (albeit in 3 draws) while Stajan drew even with him. Nobody managed better than a tie against Ryan Kesler, and Monahan got his proverbial head kicked in. Lesson? Maybe try to give Monahan easy draws or lots of offensive zone starts.
- Score effects are still score effects, but Tyler Wotherspoon and David Schlemko got a regular shift for once. Wotherspoon played 14:32, easily the most he’s played this season, while Schlemko got 15:37. It evened out the wear and tear on the top four, and got Wotherspoon some reps in.
- Josh Jooris played 17 minutes!
- Sam Bennett scored another goal!
- Again, score effects, but Wotherspoon and Schlemko both were in the black in terms of Corsi For, both at +7 on the game at even-strength.
And, uh, hey, there’s a chance that two guys that wouldn’t normally get into a playoff game will get to draw in if/when Hudler and Ferland can’t go for Game 2. Opportunity comes in many forms, and we’ll see if somebody takes advantage of this chance in Game 2 (if it comes to be that way).
Yes, I am completely aware that I am grasping at straws here.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
