Calgary Flames Daily: Still in vacation mode post bye-week
By Ramina Shlah
After two losses post bye-week, the Calgary Flames seem to still be in vacation mode. More Flames news here.
Well, it was something we were somewhat expecting to happen but hoping it wouldn’t. Since coming back from bye-week, the Calgary Flames seem to still be in bye-week. It basically came at the worst time for the club.
They were on a seven-game win streak and were one of the hottest teams in the NHL. After coming back, they lost one game in a shootout, where Mike Smith stole a point for them anyways, then they lost in OT to one of the worst teams in the league. They need to find their groove soon or they’ll fall out of a playoff spot.
While we can all be angry at Glen Gulutzan’s decision to leave Troy Brouwer out to take the faceoff in OT on the PK, we’ve got to admit, their game was nowhere near what it should have been. Especially to the Buffalo Sabres.
On the bright side, the Flames are on a nine-game point streak. On the down side, they’re on a two-game losing streak. Good thing the All Star break is coming up this weekend because the team could definitely use another reset. Especially since they’re 12-12-2 at home. Good thing February consists of lots of road games because for whatever reason, they’re much better on the road.
Calgary Flames
Via Calgary Sun:
"“It’s an area that we certainly want to improve in,” said defenceman Travis Hamonic, pestered after Tuesday’s practice about the Flames’ middling mark at the Saddledome. “At the same time, we’re playing some good hockey on the road and we’re right in the thick of things in the playoff race right now. So you can look at it as a glass half-empty … Or half-full, and realize that we haven’t really played all that well at home and we’re still sitting in a race and know that we can pick it up at home and try to help better our chances.”"
At least Mike Smith and David Rittich have been incredible this month and are stealing a few extra points for them.
Some links surrounding the Flames
Flames Thoughts: Calgary still out of sync after bye week (Sportsnet).
Chad Johnson opted against ‘cushy’ return to Calgary (Calgary Sun).
Flames realize mediocre home record must improve (Calgary Sun).
Flames star Gaudreau thrilled Eagles are Super Bowl-bound (Calgary Sun).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
2018 NHL mock draft: Coyotes to snag Rasmus Dahlin? (FanSided).
4 things we learned in the NHL: Blackhawks in Central basement (Sportsnet).
A Seattle-NHL marriage faces hurdles from a changing population (CBC Sports)
NHL spices up All-Star skills competition by adding new events to old favorites (The Hockey News).
Next: Trade rumours - Erik Karlsson coming west?
That’s all in today’s Calgary Flames Daily!