The Calgary Flames couldn’t come up with enough goals again as they fell to the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Saturday.

It’s a Team Game – It was not a bad team effort from the Calgary Flames. They got their chances, dominated possession, and pushed play against the Predators. Honestly, everything they could do, except for score more goals. That’s their number one problem right now – and really has been all season – the ability to execute after earning the opportunity. Games like this one where they get to the netminder remain positives. They show consistently that they are a more well-structured team than the bottom third if the league, but eventually if they want to avoid the middle they need to get more prolific offensive talent.

Corsi King – Rasmus Andersson (83.27 per cent) had been vacant from the top of these lists the last couple of weeks. I give him a lot of slack because he goes up against the most dangerous players in the NHL frequently. Having him and Bahl (76.64 per cent) be able to push play to the tune of 28-6 in terms of shot attempts is a great sign. The season is full of high and low tides, getting ready for Andersson to ramp up as the Four Nations tournament approaches. Up front goal scorer Mikael Backlund (74.83 per cent) had a great showing. I had just wondered about him a couple of games ago – he was in a big slump across the board – and has responded with two quality games. The goal tonight was a no doubter in part to a great screen from Blake Coleman (72.18 per cent).

Taken By Chance – Jake Bean (64.29 SCF% || 57.69 HDCF%) was noticeable in a great game offensively. Unfortunately, he was deployed when the Predators scored their insurance goal at 5v5. Bean is the current flavour of the week from the rotation because he’s earned it through some great play. Barrie seems to struggle to get in, Miromanov has worked his way out of being in the regular rotation, and Joel Hanley (73.92 per cent || 70.12 per cent) continues to be a very safe play next to Weegar (62.52 per cent || 67.30 per cent). Something needs to be done in that spot – it’s too valuable to have someone that doesn’t move the offensive needle there instead of Hanley. Solovyov, Kuznetsov, or Grushnikov wouldn’t move that needle either – I wonder if they’ll ever consider giving Jeremie Poirier a look?

xGF% – I have some other issues with the current every day roster construction. Since the top nine forwards don’t score consistently the fourth line can’t afford to have a centre that fails to generate any offence whatsoever. That would be Kevin Rooney (4.98 per cent) who some would say has value as a penalty killer. My counter argument is the Flames being 29th out of 32 teams in PK percentage doesn’t show much value. They don’t really have anyone else in the organization that suits that role, so it’s a problem that’s not so easily fixed, but it’s one that is hurting this team. If the Flames really want to make the playoffs this is the time of year to make these adjustments. You can see what works and what doesn’t as you approach the trade deadline and truly get a sense of what your team needs to improve.

In The Crease – The Predators didn’t get the memo that Wolf was a powerhouse on home ice. They were able to capitalize on two power play goals and one at 5v5. Wolf continues to be athletic and extremely swift. His presence in the crease inspires confidence in front of him. It’s easier to brush off a mistake and move on when you know the goaltender has your back. With the amount of shots the Flames defence block the goaltenders know they have their backs as well. 1.29 expected goals against with just that one 5v5 goal.