Calgary Flames 5 Takeaways From Buffalo Loss

3. 112. Final. 6. 12

The Calgary Flames continued their run of losses recently, as they were downed by the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 in Buffalo.

These are my five key takeaways from the game; aside from obvious disappointment that the Calgary Flames went down again:

Keep Gaudreau and Monahan together.

The big news in the build-up to the game, as reported by the Calgary Herald, was that Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley was splitting the team’s two leading scorers.

Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan played for the Calgary Flames on different lines for the first time in a long while.

It didn’t seem to prove problematic for Sean Monahan, who notched up a two point night with a goal and assist for the Calgary Flames. However, Gaudreau seemed to struggle a little more so without his usual partner.

Hartley obviously wanted to change things up for the Calgary Flames, but it’s reasonably safe to say this experiment only drew average results, especially as Monahan’s goal came after they were reunited in the third period.

Need to shoot early to calm the team.

It took until seventeen minutes into the first period before the Calgary Flames had a clean shot on net.

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Those sort of statistics never lend themselves to a night where your team can win the game. In fact, it’s the sort of statistic that really can grate on a team and cause them to try overly hard, which usually leads to mistakes.

Thankfully for the Calgary Flames, they didn’t concede in this time either, but it’s definitely not the way to seek out what is rapidly becoming an ‘elusive’ win.

All up, the Calgary Flames only put four decent shots on net in the first period, to the Buffalo Sabres eight. Neither side capitalised, but an average first period display certainly didn’t bode well for the other two periods.

Garnet Hathaway unfazed in third NHL game.

Recent call-up, Garnet Hathaway marked his third NHL game with the Calgary Flames with a two-point night, offering a pair of assists. Not only that, he showed he isn’t afraid to get physical, tallying four penalty minutes and four hits, trumped only by Mark Giordano’s six.

Garnet’s first NHL point came on Mikael Backlund’s second period goal, whilst his second came on Monahan’s goal.

The youngster also saw time on the second unit of the penalty kill for the Calgary Flames; a sure sign that his playing style is valued by the Calgary Flames management.

A defensive shake-up is needed.

With the trade of Kris Russell and the suspension of Dennis Wideman ongoing, the Calgary Flames certainly appear a team missing some of their defensive core.

New recruit Jyrki Jokipakka has stepped into the side immediately since being acquired from the Dallas Stars and has acquitted himself quite well, tallying sixteen minutes on the ice against Buffalo. His two blocks for the game didn’t quite make up the fact he scored a -2 plus/minus for the game.

Jakub Nakladal once again cut a sorry figure, seeing limited ice time and finding himself on the ice as Buffalo put away three of their eventual six. He did manage four shots on net, but his run in the side hasn’t quite seen him prove himself as a Calgary Flames blue-liner beyond this season.

Outside of those two, Dougie Hamilton was the only bright spot in terms of points with a goal and an assist for the game.

The defense certainly needs to lift its game in light of the decidably average from being shown by the goaltending duo of Joni Ortio or in Buffalo, Jonas Hiller.

When the goalie can’t be relied on to keep the team in the game, which is clearly the case right now for the Calgary Flames, the defense needs to step up and pick up the slack.

Calgary Flames need secondary scoring.

The night was all about the secondary scoring of the Buffalo Sabres; with guys scoring points for them who wouldn’t find their names frequently on the board.

Obviously, Jack Eichel was one name that found the score sheet that has been doing so at a strong pace, but most of the rest, not so often.

In highlighting the secondary scoring of the Sabres, you have to wonder where the Calgary Flames are going to find more points from.

Mikael Backlund from Lance Bouma and Hathaway was arguably the only secondary scoring contribution from the Calgary Flames lines.

Too often it’s the likes of Gaudreau, Monahan, Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano being relied upon to find the net. The games in which that group struggles are inevitably the games in which the Calgary Flames struggle.

Next: Flames Potential Draftee: Pierre-Luc Dubois

What did you think of the Calgary Flames performance against Buffalo?

Should Gaudreau and Monahan continue to play on separate lines?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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