5 Calgary Flames That Need To Fire Versus Arizona Coyotes
Apr 7, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames players celebrate win over Arizona Coyotes at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
The Calgary Flames need to bounce back from their 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks when they take on the Arizona Coyotes and they’ll be relying on everyone to pick up their games.
It’s well-known that this year’s team has under-performed to a huge degree; that or we’re finally seeing the true state of the team and not the one that seemed to ride its luck for long stretches last season.
Whether last season was luck or not is somewhat redundant now, with a quarter of the NHL season having already passed.
The current situation is that the Calgary Flames are (or aren’t, depending on your thinking) living up to expectations and are more likely to feature in the draft lottery for Auston Matthews than the Stanley Cup play-offs come post-season.
There are several players that could be called out and flagged as needing to put in more, most of whom were part of the Calgary Flames line-up in that demoralizing 5-3 loss at the Honda Center.
In fact throughout the whole month of November, there’s been several guys that just aren’t doing the job properly; many are players with a bit of experience that head coach, Bob Hartley expects better from.
The Arizona Coyotes will be no pushover, but their 11-9-1 record for the season thus far at least gives the Calgary Flames some hope of bouncing back with a win and trying to conjure up some form on the back of it.
For the Calgary Flames to leave Arizona with a win, all of the five players listed will need to bring their ‘A-game’.
Next: Players Needing A Big Game: Karri Ramo
Calgary Flames Needing A Big Game: Karri Ramo
Karri Ramo has managed to make the goaltending spot his, whether though sheer luck, defiance or some actual decent form. With that said, the 29 year-old’s last game doesn’t exactly place him on a ‘hot streak’ – the Calgary Flames gave up five goals (albeit one empty net goal) to the Anaheim Ducks.
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Right now for November, Ramo, according to ESPN statistics has a really respectable .910 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average, a definite improvement on earlier season form. Giving up two plus goals a game isn’t ideal for a Calgary Flames side that seems to be struggling to get the puck in the other net though.
If Ramo though can come up big against the likes of young Max Domi, Martin Hanzal, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and the rest of the Arizona Coyotes, then rest assured the Calgary Flames can likely sneak away with the win.
To add to it, Jonas Hiller was recently re-activated off injured reserve and thus Ramo now seemingly has a challenge on his hands to maintain the number one billing between the pipes.
Joni Ortio never really got given a proper chance to challenge for the net, but it would be fair to assume the older Swiss goalie won’t be best pleased playing backup for too long.
It’s up to Karri Ramo to come out blazing and solidify his spot in the starting line-up.
Next: Players Needing A Big Game: Jiri Hudler
Calgary Flames Needing A Big Game: Jiri Hudler
The Czech winger hasn’t been at his strongest this month, struggling with illness and struggling a little on the ice. Whether the on-ice struggles are reflective of just the one player though is questionable. It seems the Calgary Flames in general have forgotten how to score goals, but sure as heck haven’t forgotten how to give them up!
Jiri has only provided three assists on his way to a minus two plus/minus score; nobody expects last season’s heroics from him – that scoring year looked like a one-off, even at the time, but they do expect slightly better numbers.
Hudler as one of the elder members of the Calgary Flames roster needs to be picking up the slack and giving stable and consistent performances every night.
The younger guys can get away with being ‘streaky’ a lot more because you can blame youth and inexperience. The elder statesmen of the team are the ones that should know better.
The other question directly relating to whether he will come up big or not is where will he be placed – there’s room for him with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on the top lines; equally though he’d fit comfortably on a little more low-key line as he gets back to full strength.
Next: Players Needing A Big Game: Markus Granlund
Calgary Flames Needing A Big Game: Markus Granlund
As the player just recently recalled from the American Hockey League affiliate in Stockton, Markus Granlund will head back out on the ice as a Calgary Flames player for the first time in a while and be expected to come up big.
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Granlund wasn’t setting the world on fire in Stockton, but nor was he sitting back and resting on his laurels. The young Swede showed a determination and consistency to his scoring; something the Calgary Flames very much need on their roster.
The likelihood is Granlund will find a comfortable spot on the third line and they will be relied upon to provide some much-needed scoring back-up to the likes of Gaudreau, Monahan and Sam Bennett in front of them, line-wise.
If Markus can come charging out of the gate and settle straight in with the Calgary Flames roster, he has every chance of holding steady in his spot and making the promotion to the big league a much more permanent promotion.
That’s why against the Arizona Coyotes, Markus Granlund will need to come up big for the Calgary Flames and show that he deserves his place. Otherwise, there’s every chance he could be headed back to the Stockton Heat a few games down the line.
Next: Players Needing A Big Game: Dennis Wideman
Oct 13, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman (6) passes the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. St. Louis Blues won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Calgary Flames Needing A Big Game: Dennis Wideman
Sitting on a minus 10 plus/minus score for the year so far, it’s clear that Dennis Wideman isn’t getting something right. Granted, he has provided nine assists and shows a borderline crazy willingness to block shots, but Wideman isn’t exactly in the form of his life.
It’s becoming clear that having him out on the ice for an average of 23 plus minutes a game isn’t working, especially when you have guys like T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton that are all vying for defensive ice-time for the Calgary Flames too.
A lot of his offensive production last year came alongside Mark Giordano last year, but with them not establishing a top-line pairing this year, it’s been a barren year for Dennis in front of the net.
Maybe the key to his consistency last season lay with his defensive partner, because right now it feels like he still hasn’t settled into his role with anyone but Giordano. Any player that is reliant upon another in such a huge way is a bit of a concern.
Dennis Wideman needs a big game against the Arizona Coyotes to shut down his critics, but also to make himself much nicer trade bait for the Calgary Flames.
Next: Players Needing A Big Game: Mark Giordano
Calgary Flames Needing A Big Game: Mark Giordano
Concerning as it may be to say the captain needs a big game, the Calgary Flames need Mark Giordano to pull up his leadership socks and lead by example against the Arizona Coyotes.
There’s a lot of youth and inexperience in the side and it’s up to the likes of Giordano to back them up. Mark was on the ice twice when the Calgary Flames conceded goals to the Ducks last time out; sure, he plays more minutes as a top-line pairing but this wasn’t really good enough.
A woeful one goal and minus eight plus/minus score really sums up both Giordano’s month and current form slump. The Calgary Flames need last year’s Giordano back, leading from the blue line and getting back on the pace for a 40 point season.
If the captain can start firing, there’s every chance some of the guys around him will start following the example being set and start rallying too.
That’s why Mark Giordano, possibly more so than any of the previously listed guys needs this game to be a big one. Here’s hoping he truly brings his ‘A-game’ on the trip to Arizona.
Next: Calgary Flames Activate Jonas Hiller Off Injured Reserve
Do you agree or disagree with our player choices? Let us know in the comments section below.