Calgary Flames Daily: Trying to come back from another shutout
By Ramina Shlah
The Calgary Flames play their first set of back-to-back games for the season. Let’s look at some news surrounding the team over the last day.
After a disappointing 6-0 shutout loss to the Ottawa Senators last night, the Calgary Flames will be playing their first set of back-to-back games when they face the Vancouver Canucks tonight. The Flames, who were coming off a three-game win streak, still didn’t impress bench boss Glen Gulutzan. While they had that win streak, they allowed forty shots in three of their first four games.
But the message was heard loud and clear and they limited the Sens to just 28 shots. But that’s about it. While the Flames still had chances last night and completely outplayed the Sens in 5-on-5 play, they also had seven penalties, one being a double minor. Hard to win a hockey game when you’re spending almost a third of it short a man.
Via Calgary Herald:
"“They’re a transition team — that’s what they are,” said Flames captain Mark Giordano. “They sit back in the neutral zone and wait for you to make a mistake and counter-punch. They did a good job of it, especially when they’re up.“The momentum swings in the game? They grabbed them all.”"
Related Story: Flames win streak comes to an end against Senators
We also saw the first goaltending switch in the season. Mike Smith has been incredible in the first four games, even in their 3-0 season opening loss to the Edmonton Oilers. But he can’t win all their games for them. After the fifth goal in the third period, we saw Eddie Lack go into net about 24 hours earlier than expected. Tonight against the Canucks, the Flames have yet to post their projected line-up, but we may be seeing Lack starting his first game of the season against his former team.
The lines tonight, except for the goalie situation, will look somewhat similar to last night. Again, the Flames 5-on-5 play was actually pretty good and they generated a good amount of chances. They just unfortunately couldn’t find the back of the net and they need to remain more disciplined.
On the plus side, the Flames last season were 4-4-3 last season in the second game in back-to-back games, so let’s hope they’ll be fired up tonight.
Some links surrounding the Flames
Jagr’s home debut spoiled as Senators bounce Flames 6-0 (Calgary Herald).
Ex-Senator Curtis Lazar happy he’s been given a fresh start with Flames (Ottawa Citizen).
Game Day: Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks (Calgary Herald).
Dave Rowe: Is Mike Smith Miikka 2.0 for the Calgary Flames? (Global News).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Ken Dryden: Here is how you fix hockey’s concussion problem, in one easy step (The Globe and Mail).
Four things we learned in the NHL: Jagr settling in with Flames (Sportsnet).
Ovechkin scores ninth of season in Capitals win (NHL.com).
Many unexpected things happened in the first week of the NHL season (National Post).
Next: Hey Jaromir Jagr, you're really old
That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!