Post-Game: Flames fall flat in season opener

The Calgary Flames began their 2017-18 season tonight in much the same way they’ve done in recent years: with a loss. Despite a series of roster tweaks and a lot of preparation, the Flames came out of the gate utterly flat and had absolutely no answer for Connor McDavid en route to a 3-0 setback at Rogers Place.

In summary: they went to Edmonton’s shiny new arena, were shut out, and gave up a hat-trick to Edmonton’s best player.

The Flames were very tentative early. After spending the first part of the game back on their heels, the Flames gave up a goal to McDavid. His line hemmed the Bennett trio (and Brodie & Hamonic) in their own zone, partially via the Flames whiffing on a couple of clearing attempts. After a bunch of rapid-fire scoring chances, McDavid buried a rebound after a Leon Draisaitl shot to make it 1-0. Shots were 16-11 Oilers, scoring chances were 11-10 Oilers.

There was no scoring in second period. The Flames were on defense for roughly 15 of the 20 minutes. They had a brief flurry of chances late, but couldn’t generate anything terribly dangerous. Shots were 12-9 Oilers, scoring chances were 11-6 Oilers.

The Oilers tipped the scales in the final period. McDavid made it 2-0 midway through the period by simply turning on the jets and rushing past every single Flame and beating Mike Smith top shelf. He added an empty-netter to make it 3-0. The Flames didn’t do much at all. Shots were 16-5 Oilers, scoring chances were 10-3 Oilers.

Outside of Mike Smith, who made 42 saves – several of them absolute robberies – the Flames didn’t show up. There were a few bursts of attempted offense here and there, but none of the team’s lines or pairings had anything resembling a solid hockey game.

Smith, hands down. Nobody else was close.

The second McDavid goal. It was a beauty, and it broke Calgary’s collective back.

What do you even do to stop that? The Flames seemed to be hanging in there up until this goal. After, they basically threw their hands up in frustration.

Sarnia beat Owen Sound 6-5. Adam Ruzicka had two goals and an assist and was second star.

Victoria beat Kelowna 8-3. Matthew Phillips had three assists and Dillon Dube had one goal.

The Flames (0-1-0) head home and prepare for their home-opener against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night.