Calgary Flames Daily: Need to stop making so many mistakes

After a loss to the New York Rangers last night, it’s clear what needs to change with the Calgary Flames. More daily links here.

Oh boy. Another rough/frustrating loss. This seems to be a trend with the Calgary Flames lately. After going 56 games leading after two periods since the start of last season, in total, they had only lost three in OT or shootout. They’ve now lost three in regulation in their past six games when having a lead after two periods.

For some reason, they can’t hold on to their leads anymore. But not only can they not hold on to their leads, they can’t play a full 60. They either have a great first two periods, then slack in the third period, or they’ll completely slack in the first period, then have a decent next two periods. Last night, their second period was their only good period.

Something needs to change.

Via Calgary Sun:

"Just the way we played and the way we approached the game …” said an infuriated Glen Gulutzan. “I thought we were terrible in the first. We took way too many penalties. Took a dumb penalty in the third with eight minutes left, and they capitalized. We took five … if you’re short-handed five times on a back-to-back, you’re probably not coming out of there in a good place. “We got what we deserved. We weren’t ready to play.”“Probably from the start of the game we didn’t deserve to win,” Tkachuk said post-game. “It’s as simple as that. There’s games you can go through – I think we won three in a row coming into tonight – and for us to be up 3-2 after two was kind of a miracle.“It caught up with us in the third … we got what we deserved.”"

The team took five penalties yesterday against the New York Rangers and one in the third that cost them, like Gulutzan mentioned. That penalty was taken by Sam Bennett, who’s been taking a few “dumb” penalties this season. Not only did they take too many penalties but their special teams were not what a playoff team’s special teams should be. They went just 1/6 with the man advantage and allowed two powerplay goals against on five opportunities.

I will say, their powerplay looked better as the game went on. Putting Dougie Hamilton (finally) on the first PP unit showed to be of benefit. While they scored one goal with him on it, they still managed to set up right away with that unit. Something they’ve also been struggling with on the PP.

But it was enough.

The Flames have to absolutely avoid being undisciplined tomorrow night vs. the New York Islanders. Last night, the Islanders were down 3-0 in the first period. Then, they were down 5-2 and the Detroit Red Wings took a five minute penalty. The Isles scored four goals on that five-minute penalty and won in OT.

The Flames need to watch themselves. Every single point matters right now and they can’t afford to be losing like this, especially to a team that’s battered, like the Rangers were.

Some links surrounding the Flames

Calgary Flames being dragged down by inconsistency, poor special teams (Sportsnet).

Mistake-filled effort costs Flames against Rangers (Calgary Sun).

Brouwer out week-to-week with cheek fracture (Calgary Sun).

New York Rangers beat Calgary Flames 4-3 to snap 4-game losing streak (Global News).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Why aren’t NHL players playing in Winter Olympics? (FanSided).

With the absence of NHL players in Pyeongchang, a shadow lifts from the underappreciated (The Globe and Mail).

Scheifele admittedly rusty in Jets return (NHL.com).

How the U.S. and Canada’s Women’s Ice Hockey Teams Formed One of the Biggest Rivalries in Sports (Time).

Next: Flames Daily - Climbing back up

That’s all in todays’ Flames Daily!

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