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Flames Fail to Translate Offence — Series Tied 1-1 |
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It wasn’t the result you would hope for, but most would agree this series was never going to be a sweep. Jake Oettinger was the beneficiary of a strict Dallas Stars perimeter last night as the series was evened up 1-1 heading into Dallas. Let’s cover a few points.
Not So Ice
Apologies for sounding like a broken record here, but the ice has played a huge role in both games. You could count the amount of dekes made on one hand. Most of them by Gaudreau. Pucks were bouncing when they shouldn’t. Plays were dying early in the sequence. It’s going to be a rough series if the Saddledome continues to roll out poor playing conditions.
Backlund
While he had a few nice sequences, Backlund ultimately played another bad game with the puck. A brutal sequence of multiple giveaways highlighted his weak performance. He looked asleep for parts of the game.
Best Game Yet for Jarnkrok
On the other hand, Calle Jarnkrok was buzzing. His feet finally arrived on layaway from Seattle. His speed broke up some nice plays and kept transition moving. With how he is playing right now, it may be worth considering swapping him with Backlund on the 2nd line.
The Inside
Dallas reverted to it’s traditional model that brought it so much success in 2020 and largely impacted their 8-2-2 record against the Flames in their last 12. They maintain a very good perimeter.
The Flames have overcome this in the past and appeared to have the Stars on their heels after the first. Clearing the neutral zone at full speed is the name of the game. Mangiapane, Gaudreau, Jarnkrok, Toffoli, among others were getting it done, but couldn’t create adequately off the rush.
Flames Chances For by Period
1st: 4-7 – 36.36%
2nd: 18-5 78.26%
3rd: 20-10 66.67%
Travel Headache
Canadian teams heading to the States for games 3 & 4 have some hoops to jump through. The Oilers flew to BC then drove over the border by bus in order to avoid COVID testing protocols. It’s assumed the Flames will do the same although their itinerary is currently unknown.
Update: The Flames and staff will be flying via a Air Canada Jetz charter.
Answer the Bell
Matthew Tkachuk took the initiative early in the game to send John Klingberg a message. He also gave up a prime scoring opportunity in the process. He bullied the Swedish defenceman sufficiently, but Johnny Gaudreau appeared to have a goal on his stick on the rush before the play was called down as offside.
Elephant in the Room
120 minutes with zero 5v5 goals is unacceptable, if not hard to imagine. One goal in two games. Blame Dallas’ system, blame the ice, blame what you will— there’s 18 skaters in transit to Dallas who need to do a lot more if they expect to go on to the next round.
Game time is 7:30 mst tomorrow. It’s now a best of five.
Trevor Neufeld
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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