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Calgary Flames Daily: Despite loss, team is looking better

By Ramina Shlah

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 12: Minnesota Wild Defenceman Gustav Olofsson (23) chips the puck into the zone as Calgary Flames Right Wing Garnet Hathaway (21) gives chase during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames on December 12, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN.The Wild defeated the Flames 2-1 in a shootout.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 12: Minnesota Wild Defenceman Gustav Olofsson (23) chips the puck into the zone as Calgary Flames Right Wing Garnet Hathaway (21) gives chase during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames on December 12, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN.The Wild defeated the Flames 2-1 in a shootout.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After losing in a shootout last night vs. the Minnesota Wild, the Calgary Flames shouldn’t be too down because they’re still looking much better.

In a disappointing shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild last night, the Calgary Flames fell out of a playoff position. But on the plus side, they’re looking much better. They’ve now outshot their opponents for seven straight games and they’re on a four-game point streak, a season high.

The Flames had many chances last night and a couple that will haunt them. Micheal Ferland missed a wide open net and hit the post in the third period to give the Flames the lead and Sean Monahan missed an open net in OT as well. It’s not often either of those players miss with how smart they are when it comes to shooting the puck.

The Flames had their lone shootout goal coming from Johnny Gaudreau (which is odd). But other than that loss, they’re still looking better in every aspect of the game. Defensively, they’re much better and a big reason has to do with T.J. Brodie and Travis Hamonic finding chemistry. In three of their last seven games, they’ve put 44+ shots on the opponents net. To be honest, they’ve been quite unlucky lately.

Related Story: Flames lose in shootout vs. Minnesota Wild

Via Calgary Sun:

"“Consistency in the little things — I think that’s what makes a good hockey team and a tough hockey team to play against, and I think the last four games, we’ve gained some traction with some of the areas that we were struggling with earlier in the season,” said Flames netminder Mike Smith after a 21-save effort against the Wild. “And it has showed up in the win column and the point column, so that’s exciting. You gain confidence from playing in close games like tha,t and you’re going to have to win close games down the stretch, too.“It obviously sucks to lose, but I think it’s a big point.”“I thought that was one of our best starts of the year,” Ferland said. “That was one of our main focuses was to come out and go right after them. I thought we deserved more for sure.”"

The Flames had one of their best starts this whole season. In a dominating start, they didn’t let the Wild get a shot on goal until the 11:20 mark of the first period. But knowing the Flames luck, we all knew that Minnesota’s first chance would be a goal. And it was late in the first period.

Something that could have helped them out was a powerplay goal.

Via Calgary Sun:

"“I look at it more of missed opportunities,” said Flames bench boss Glen Gulutzan, following the tried-and-true tactic that coaches push harder when things are going well for their squad. “I liked our five-on-five game. I didn’t like our power play. I thought that could have bailed us and got us two points.”"

The Calgary Flames’ powerplay has been struggling as of late. Last night they were 0/3 and had a big PP opportunity in the last five minutes of the game when it was tied. They need to take advantage of those opportunities.

Since the start of December, the Flames have just two powerplay goals on 21 opportunities in six games. They’ve been working on their defensive play and it’s clear that there’s been a vast improvement. Now it’s time for them to work on their special teams.

Flames Tweet of the day

(Sorry for putting ourselves, but we’re hilarious).

Hockey Tweet of the day

Some links surrounding the Flames

Flames lose in shootout to Wild (Calgary Sun).

Flames Thoughts: Calgary gaining confidence and momentum (Sportsnet).

Tim Hortons to be served at Scotiabank Saddledome (Calgary Flames) (the most exciting news of all).

Flames arena saga: Desperately seeking leverage by invoking Houston (The Athletic).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Predators Reassign Frederick Gaudreau to Milwaukee (Nashville Predators).

4 things we learned in the NHL: Too little, too late for Senators (Sportsnet).

Have the Ottawa Senators hit rock-bottom? (Sporting News).

Documentary revisits ‘First NHL Winter Classic’ (NHL.com).

Next: Three stars of the week Dec. 4-10

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!

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