3 reasons the Calgary Flames lost their series vs the Edmonton Oilers

The Calgary Flames fizzled out at the worst possible time.

For those of us born in the 1990s and later, we’d never witnessed a Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers playoff series. It might be safe to say, we never want to experience it again.

After a tough seven-game series against the Dallas Stars, the Flames were in full control of steamrolling the Oilers. Goalie Jacob Markstrom was hot, forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk were rolling, and Calgary had momentum.

Unfortunately, Edmonton has the world’s best player in forward Connor McDavid and potentially the world’s second-best forward in Leon Draisaitl. Heck, even goalie Mike Smith was playing like a top goaltender despite giving up some weird goals like this one in game four.

Before we dive into the series and nitpick why this team burned out, let’s address the Flames potential fifth goal in Game 5.

With the teams tied 4-4 late in the third period, forwards Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman were crashing the net. Backlund shot the puck and as it was heading into the net, Coleman ushered it in with his skate.

According to the NHL Rule book:

49.2 Goals – Kicking the puck shall be permitted in all zones. A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck into the net with his skate/foot. A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who kicks a puck that deflects into the net off any player, goalkeeper or official. A puck that deflects into the net off an attacking player’s skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal. A puck that is directed into the net by an attacking player’s skate shall be a legitimate goal as long as no distinct kicking motion is evident.

The question is: was there a distinct kicking motion?

Did Coleman need to stick out his leg to help the puck cross the line? We’ve seen many times in this series shots nearly trickling in, only to be cleared by the defence. His mindset wasn’t wrong. But the extension of his left leg most likely overturned the call on the ice.

The unfortunate part of this rule is the grey area. What is considered a kicking motion? There have been goals deemed legal with more of a soccer-style kick. But did the refs and video replay determine the extension near the goal line was a kick? Coleman’s argument: he was trying to stop and gain balance with Oilers defenceman Cody Ceci crashing into him.

Nonetheless, the Flames shouldn’t have allowed the referees to dictate their outcome. They played average all series. Average against the top two players in the league just isn’t good enough.

No. 2: The Calgary Flames defence and Vezina nominated goalie all disappeared.

Calgary gave up an average of 2.51 goals per game in the regular season. This put them behind only the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes.

The Flames also had the second-best goal differential in the regular season with a plus 85. Only the Florida Panthers had better. During the playoffs, they finished with a minus four.

Goalie Jacob Markstrom had a solid 2.22 goals-against average in 63 games. In the postseason, he was closer to three with 2.95.

Let’s preface this by saying Markstrom was the best option. He played one heck of a season and deserved all the praise and accolades. But when the Flames needed him to be Vezina-like, he crumbled.

The Oilers were able to find a weakness which was his glove side. They scored plenty of their goals in that area. It’s full credit to them. Markstrom didn’t do enough to make his weakness a strength.

But Marky did all he could. The defence wasn’t helping in any fashion. Understandably, it’s tough to stop the best player in the world. However, it seemed like the Flames just didn’t know what to do against Oilers forward Connor McDavid until Game 5.

The key is to be physical. Take McDavid off the puck. Limit the amount of seconds/minutes he has with possession in the offensive zone. The defence finally got physical in game five. McDavid was pretty much quiet until his overtime heroics.

But the play of defenceman Oliver Kylington, Noah Hanifin, Eric Gudbranson, Nikita Zarorov, Michael Stone and Andersson was lacklustre. They gave up too many odd-man rushes, which you cannot do with the Oilers.

Even in their zone, they seemed to be running around while Edmonton zipped the puck around and got multiple scoring chances. They needed to be more physical against the Oilers playmakers.

They aren’t all to blame. The Flames were also out-coached.

No. 1: The Calgary Flames have a future hall of fame coach behind their bench. But he couldn’t get his team going.

It’s tough to blame Darryl Sutter. The man has seen and done it all. His plaque is already made for a spot in the hockey hall of fame just waiting for him to retire.

But against the Oilers, he just couldn’t figure out what to do. And to be fair, would anyone? McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane were putting up historic numbers this series. Goaltender Mike Smith was also surprisingly good.

Sutter’s been on record saying he doesn’t line match. He likes to roll all four lines. Which under normal circumstances, is fine. Calgary was extremely successful this year with many players hitting career highs all across the board. They aren’t hitting those if Sutter doesn’t believe and trust them.

Against Edmonton, he needed to line match. Throwing out the fourth line of Brett Ritchie, Trevor Lewis and Milan Lucic against McDavid and Draisaitl was the worst decision.

Edmonton was going heavy on the minutes for their top line. Double-shifting McDavid’s line while Sutter was sending out his third and fourth lines.

Even in crucial moments in Game 4 when the Flames needed skill and speed on the ice, out came the slow (in comparison to who was on) line.

This isn’t to be disrespectful to Sutter who’s up for coach of the year. Or the fourth line who performed great all season and even had some highlights in the playoffs.

It’s just when you’re playing a team who’s more skilled than physical, you need to make those adjustments. Ultimately, the Flames coaching staff didn’t.

Read more: Do Flames’ chances of beating Edmonton ride on Chris Tanev’s return?

Not having Chris Tanev on the backend didn’t help. Tanev was hurt against Dallas and missed most of the series against Edmonton.

No matter what side of Red Deer, Alberta you were on we got to witness a Battle of Alberta like no other. Hopefully, it goes in the Flames’ direction next time.