The Calgary Flames got enough good looks but couldn’t convert enough of those into goals as they fell 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers Sunday evening.

It’s a Team Game – It is very unfortunate Leon Draisaitl scored so quickly. Calgary had to play catch-up from the moment this game got underway. It didn’t really seem to bother the Flames as they kept finding ways to get more and more dangerous shots from in tight. In comparison to the game the Flames played against New Jersey this game had more pace to it. Calgary is just getting into a rut offensively and can’t seem to get enough 5v5 offence consistently. The power play has contributed a little bit as well, but overall the special teams are not going well for Calgary either. Losing Lindholm and Mangiapane as regular penalty killers sure seems to have had some reverberations.

Corsi King – Some of the most consistent struggles with Calgary right now are happening just inside their own blueline. The breakouts are failing to get the puck into the neutral zone, or deep behind the opposing net, and are instead turning the puck over at a higher rate than one would like to see. A couple of guys I noticed never really suffer from that issue – Ryan Lomberg (82.23 CF%) and Blake Coleman (47.38 per cent). Two Stanley Cup champion wingers understand the need for and importance of always getting that puck out and in transition. Some of the younger Flames that are struggling would benefit from watching those two and how they function in that area of the ice.

Taken By Chance – I said it after the last game and I’m glad to see some follow through with it – Ryan Huska is always fair after a benching. Andrei Kuzmenko (69.21 SCF% // 100 HDCF%) responded with a more complete game than we’ve seen from him in a few weeks. He got to take a spin in Connor Zary’s (24.31 per cent || 0 per cent) spot a few times in the third to get his ice time back up. Zary has not looked great next to Kadri (40.63 per cent ||61.93 per cent) so far. Last year they had a ton of chemistry so giving it more time is necessary, but it hasn’t been instant chemistry like it was last season after he got called up.

xGF% – Tyson Barrie (73.55 per cent) has played his way into some more games for sure. Of the three bubble guys he’s showing the most 5v5 success so far. Being able to help the abysmal power play is another factor for him getting into the lineup over Jake Bean and Joel Hanley. Anthony Mantha (72.82 per cent) continues to have a stretch where his quality share remains high. He’s bounced around a few lines the last couple of games – Huska is using the fourth line RW spot as a demotion tool to motivate guys with off nights right now. Eventually that spot would like some stability but Calgary’s got about 10 forwards for their top 9 at this point in time. Utilizing this current part of the lineup is getting more out of players after their time spent here. So if this tracks we should see Zary (18.30 per cent) spike the next game. Here’s hoping anyways.

In The Crease – The first time all season a goaltender gets back-to-back starts and Dan Vladar did alright. The Oilers were without a significant threat and because of that this game always felt like it was never out of reach. Calgary never quits on their work ethic, and you can see that come to light when they start to really control the pace of things in the third period. Vladar did not let any weak goals through to kill momentum and stood tall when they needed him to at 5v5. He’s on one of the more consistent runs he’s ever had in the National Hockey League right now – with some runway to get significant playing time this year I’m curious to see how his play holds up. 1.98 expected goals against at 5v5 with 2 high danger goals getting past him.

Player Spotlight – Martin Pospisil – The bad penalties are going to get him in trouble. They have already directly affected the outcome of two games this season. If he is going to be someone who contributes regularly in an NHL top 9 role he can’t be taking these carefree penalties late in games and in the offensive zone. He has not been his effective forechecking self the last two weeks either. It’s still very early and there is lots of time for the young man to work things out, but the penalties have to get under control now.