The Calgary Flames hosted Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night, losing by a score of 4-1.

It’s a Team Game – The Flames offence continues to be the focal point of the majority of their struggles. The last two weeks, and in this game specifically, the attack in the offensive zone was too stagnant and not threatening enough to be of any real significance. When the Flames did get pressure the shots all got initiated from the point, just praying it finds a bounce to get by the goaltender. To their credit, it worked, a whopping one time. Their best games this season the Flames have consistently made a more concentrated effort to get shoot attempts from in closer to the goaler, but they’ve gone far away from that in the new year. Not a lot of deviation, not a lot of creativity, and certainly nowhere near enough goals being scored. If they want some offence, they most likely need to catch a goaltender having a bad night. Other than that, two goals a game seems to be a pretty tall ask for this team.

Corsi King – Zach Whitecloud (58.97 CF%) showing up and becoming the 1^st pairing defenceman just two games in was not on my bingo card. He and Kevin Bahl (57.18 per cent) are showing a lot of chemistry through two games. I had trepidations about that, but both guys are showing some two-way skill with that job needing to be filled. Whitecloud even got himself on the scoresheet with a late second shot in the second period that went in off Yegor Sharangovich (46.27%). Since I mentioned him, I thought he was the best Flames forward in the entire game. He was cutting off the rush, finding space and releasing shots. Best I’ve seen him execute doing that all season long. It didn’t work of course, but that’s what they need out of him.

Taken By Chance – I really want Nazem Kadri (29.46 SCF% // 23.11 HDCF%) to start being the cause of high danger scoring chances rather than a guy that’s out there when they happen. I ideally want one per game created by himself, but the last few games the offensive chances – the ones that look dangerous enough to be relevant – are coming because of Matvei Gridin’s (41.05 per cent // 42.63 per cent) play out there. There’s a lack of urgency and a lot of puck races/battles being lost by a guy that doesn’t have a reputation for that.

xGF% – The Marty party got back underway as Martin Pospisil (26.31 per cent) returned to the lineup. He was out there for two goals against and was even in total shot attempts. Glad to have him back playing hockey, I hope he stays healthy going forward. If the Flames do move on from UFA Ryan Lomberg (40.57%) they’ll need the speed and energy he provides in the lineup every night. You only need both guys if you’re contending, if not – and someone offers up some draft capital – I think the Flames should listen. Final thoughts on the skaters – Mikael Backlund (45.31 per cent) continues to be very good at his job. Even on the nights he doesn’t score – very effective pivot.

In The Crease – Not the best night from Wolf who failed to stop goals all scored from the bottom of the circles down – where goals are supposed to be scored from. The fourth goal against was a highlight reel move, one I watched back a few times just because it was sick. Not his best game overall, but it wasn’t a disaster. Not like the team won the possession or shot attempt battle – better team play in front could help Wolf out. Either way it’s on to the next, starts either goalie, they’ll need to be almost perfect in order to win.