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The Calgary Flames will not be playing playoff hockey this season.
Their slim hopes of qualifying were dashed entirely last night when the Montreal Canadiens squeezed out a point against the Edmonton Oilers.
While the playoffs are set to begin Saturday, the Flames will be playing regular season hockey well into next week.
Here are a few things I’d like to see them do, or experiment with, as they play out their schedule against the Vancouver Canucks:
1. Give Artem Zagidulin a taste
I’m not overly high on Zagidulin’s NHL prospects. His save percentage in the AHL over the last year and change is ~.900, which is not exactly encouraging for a 25-year-old who should be entering his prime. Even still, I’d like the Flames to give him a look down the stretch here.
Jacob Markstrom has been worked into the ground in recent months. His game, by and large, has gotten back to the level it needs to be and he has nothing left to gain from starting on a nightly basis.
It’s in Calgary’s best interest to give the playing time to someone who could use it, and that someone is Zagidulin.
He’s due for a new contract this summer. Do the Flames want to give him one? Is there a chance he could be NHL caliber, even as a No. 3 goaltender? Use these games to gather more information in order to make the best decision in due time.
2. Play the young defenders more
Mark Giordano averages nearly 23 minutes per game. Chris Tanev averages nearly 22 minutes per game. They shouldn’t be playing that much in the coming games.
Giordano is 37. Tanev is 31. Management, and the coaches, knows exactly what those guys are. There is no reason to put more hard mileage on them with nothing but pride on the line.
It hasn’t exactly been a banner year for Rasmus Andersson, Juuso Valimaki, and the team’s young defenders. But I’d like to see them play more anyway. Experiment with them in different roles. Show some confidence in them and try to get them on track heading into the summer.
3. Continued success for Johnny Gaudreau
Gaudreau has 15 points over the last 12 games. You happily sign up for that kind of production, especially when it comes on such a consistent basis.
Gaudreau didn’t just have a few big games account for the majority of those points. He found the scoresheet at least once in 10 of 12.
He has really found a new gear down the stretch here and looks as comfortable and confident with the puck as we’ve seen in a while.
If the Flames are going to bounce back next season, they need to see this version of Gaudreau. That he’s enjoying so much success under Darryl Sutter – who obviously is not going anywhere – is very encouraging. Perhaps it can be a working relationship, after all.
Let’s hope it continues over the final few games. Vancouver is not a good defensive team, and they take lots of penalties, so they could be an ideal matchup for Gaudreau’s hopes of finishing on a high note.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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