Resurfacing themes Calgary Flames need to address after loss to Caps

A few themes resurfaced that Darryl Sutter will want to address after the Calgary Flames lost 5-4 to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. 

First, let’s get the excuses out of the way: The Flames played five games in eight days, including a hard-fought win against the Oilers the night prior to facing Alexander Ovechkin and company.

The Flames looked weary from the drop of the puck. Not nearly as fluid or crisp as we’ve come to expect, Calgary was clearly hamstrung by the ludicrous amount of hockey they’ve played lately. So the Flames were fatigued. Duly noted.

Of course Sutter will never use an excuse like fatigue as a scapegoat for the reason his side lost. It’s not his way and Flames fans love that about their uncompromising, stoic bench boss. He is a perfectionist through and through and will want to see his team perform better in close games, particularly those level after two periods.