The Calgary Flames are on a three game losing streak, but what seems to be hurting them most is the inability to score. Although, there is no lack of shots on net for Calgary, but rather the impressive play of opposing goaltenders.
Three losses in a row
The Calgary Flames are in the hunt for a playoff spot but three losses in a row will not help their case. They are currently four points out of the last wild-card spot in the west and five points out of third place in the Pacific division.
Plenty of shots but lack of scoring
In two the last three games the Flames have outshot their opponents leaving me wondering how did we not win at least one of those games? The game against Dallas, Ben Bishop stood on his head making 38 saves against the Flames. Against the New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist made 50 saves in a Rangers win.
You could make the argument that the Flames just ran into a couple of hot goaltenders during this losing streak but in reality, it’s just a lack of execution by the Flames. There has been a lack of depth scoring production by the third line and the top six haven’t been amazing as of late. Yet, coach Gulutzan and the rest of the coaching staff fail to make any major changes.
On to Pittsburgh
Tonight will be the Flames toughest task of the upcoming three-game road trip as they take on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flames will get Micheal Ferland back on the top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau.
This is a must-win for the Calgary Flames is they can’t afford to lose any more games with only 16 games left this season. They have eight games each on the road and at home but the Flames have been much better on the road this season.
In order for the Flames to defeat the defending Stanley Cup champions, they will need to continue what they’ve been doing putting shots on net. The Penguins play a similar fast-paced game to the Flames but they will need to start executing and as a result maybe they will go on a run.