Calgary Flames: Discipline, Offence Key to Turnaround

For the Calgary Flames to get back in this series, they’ll need to spend more time in Anaheim’s zone and less time in the penalty box.

Well, it was the worst case scenario for the Calgary Flames that many of us saw coming.

This team wasn’t able to change the fact that their last victory at the Honda Center was January 19th, 2004. As a result, the Anaheim Ducks hold a 2-0 series lead — and the Flames are two games away from elimination.

The Flames haven’t given themselves many chances to win, either. They’ve been on the penalty kill 11 times throughout this series — allowing a trio of power play goals. Given how their losses in both Games 1 and 2 were by a goal, it’s safe to say the unnecessary amount of time in the sin bin has been the Flames biggest problem.

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But Calgary also isn’t generating enough offence — and when they do, they’re not putting the puck in the net. In the final seconds of Game 2, Johnny Gaudreau was all alone in front of the net, but he attempted a spin-o-rama pass that failed completely and wasted a high quality scoring chance.

The Flames seem to just be waiting for the perfect shot instead of getting the pucks to the net. We’re talking about a Ducks team that allowed the third fewest goals per game (2.40), in the regular season. When you have the chance to shoot, you have to take it.

In their four regular season losses to the Ducks this year, the Flames scored a total of six goals and were held to under 30 shots in three times. Whatever it is, Anaheim’s defence is finding a way to shut down Calgary’s prolific offence. The Flames are going to have to start taking more shots and reduce the attempts of being on the highlight reel.

Brian Elliott has done everything in his power to give the Flames a chance. He owns a .914 save percentage and has stopped 64 of 70 shots against. Those are solid numbers when you’re playing an elite Ducks team on the road.

Calgary is getting production from their big guns, as Sean Monahan, Sam Bennett, Johnny Gaudreau, Dougie Hamilton and Mikael Backlund have all found the score sheet. But more is needed from the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Troy Brouwer and Mark Giordano. These guys were key to the Flames’ strong second half, and they have to start contributing more in the offensive zone.

It’s easier said than done, but there are really two keys for the Flames over these next two home games. They’ve got to stop letting their emotions get the better of them. No more silly penalties and no more giving Anaheim extra opportunities. They’re a well-coached team that feasts on the chances you hand to them on a silver platter.

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The other key? More offence. That sounds hard, sure. But it’s all about shooting the puck when you have the chance — and not waiting for the “perfect” shot. If they can stay more disciplined and if the forwards can generate more shots, chances and goals, the Calgary Flames could find themselves right back in this series.

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