Calgary Flames Daily: Gulutzan not impressed despite third straight win

Despite the Calgary Flames going 3-1-0 and having three straight wins, head coach Glen Gulutzan still isn’t impressed by his team. Let’s check out some more Flames news over the last day.

While the Calgary Flames started their game off strong last night against the Los Angeles Kings, they somewhat quieted down in the second and third periods. They were up 2-0, then they were down 3-2, then they managed to tie up the game. They won in overtime to reach their third straight win.

The Flames had a strong game against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night. And while they also had a strong last half of the game against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night, head coach Glen Gulutzan is still frustrated by his team.

Via Calgary Herald:

"“For me right now, our battle level and our execution needs to get better,” Gulutzan said. “Our breakouts need to get better. We’re spending too much time in our own zone. We’re giving too much off the rush with our puck management, so we do have to tidy that up, we’re getting out-chanced on a nightly basis.“That’s cause for concern.”“Our game isn’t far off of where it was this time last year,” Gulutzan said. “Our goalie, in my mind, has got us the last two, for sure. We do have some work to do. It’s going to be the same process we went through last year. I think we’re more confident compared to this time last year — we’re more comfortable.“We’ve gotta clean this up quick.”"

Related Story: Calgary Flames win third straight in Jaromir Jagr’s debut

He’s definitely right. While the Flames are on a win-streak and one of the best teams in the Western conference right now, they got completely out-battled against the Kings. Especially in the second and third periods. It’s like they somewhat fell asleep after a strong first period. Mike Smith has had to make over 40 saves in three of the first four games. That’s a cause for concern.

In the first period against the Kings, their 5-on-5 CF% was 57.69%. In the second period, it dropped to 39.29%, and in the third, dropped to 33.33% (Natural Stat Trick). Basically, they kept getting out-chanced. They won’t continue to win hockey games if they only play about twenty minutes a night.

But hey, maybe Jaromir Jagr is good luck! Ever since the Travelling Jagrs met Jagr himself in Calgary, they’ve outscored their opponents 11-3. We’ll take it.

Flames Tweet of the day

Hockey Tweet of the day

Some links surrounding the Flames

Flames coach wants better effort despite OT victory in Los Angeles (Calgary Herald).

Monahan pots OT winner as Flames burn Kings in Jagr’s debut (CBC Sports).

Calgary Flames waive Marek Hrivik (Matchsticks & Gasoline).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby should face discipline for hitting Holtby (Puck Prose).

3 things we learned in the NHL: Letang back on track after injury (Sportsnet).

Jagr shakes off rust, deals with soreness, fatigue in Flames debut (NHL.com).

Next: Could this be Sam Bennett's breakout year?

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily! Can the Flames continue their strong performance this weekend before having a four-day break?