It’s easy to get into the doom and gloom of the last ten days when it comes to the Calgary Flames.
23rd in defence over that time — good for four goals against per game. 26th ranked offence for only 2.50 goals for per game.
A single player producing at a point per game pace. That being Elias Lindholm. Zero points for Calgary’s newest toy, Jonathan Huberdeau and starter Jacob Markstrom ranks 52nd in save percentage across the league.
Not great, the product on the ice is honestly more concerning than the 0-3-1 record. A handful of forwards not moving their feet when they need to.
In other words, thank god these guys get to go on a road trip.
And for a road trip to be, you need road games. Tonight is game one of an Atlantic sojourn that will see the Flames play three games in four days. Elmont (where the Islanders play), New Jersey, then Boston to finish up. Not much time for R&R, but surely the team will make the most of a night free of their home lives when they’re in Boston.
The Islanders-Devils back to back, on the other hand, might be a bit hectic. Just to recap a few events from Saturday’s overtime loss to the Devils:
• Milan Lucic was benched for the third.
• Mikeal Backlund was benched for the third.
• Kevin Rooney was benched for the third.
• Connor Mackey was on the ice for three goals against in the first period and was largely responsible for two of those goals. He took a needless interference minor during the same stanza. He too was benched for most of the third.
• Micheal Stone played a thirty-some second shift in the first and has been placed on injured reserve.
• Chris Tanev did not play.
• Defencemen Dennis Gilbert and Nick DeSimone have been recalled.
Is any of this good news? Let’s shine some light on this dour piece.
Wranglers Producing
The Flames left themselves right against the cap with the recalling of two defencemen. Which is a shame — there are a few forwards on the AHL Wranglers deserving a look. Notes on the recent performance of the AHL affiliate.
• With a hat trick last night, Matthew Phillips leads the AHL in goals — eight in nine games. He has thirteen points total.
• Connor Zary, Radim Zohorna, and Ben Jones all are producing at a point per game pace. It should be noted that Zary has a -10 plus/minus.
• Jeremie Poirier has eight points in nine games. Mind you, he also has a -4 rating.
• Mitch McLean had two goals and a fight last night. Zohorna had three assists and a fight.
It seems like there is some energy on the Wranglers that the Flames could desperately use. Particularly when Flames head coach, Darryl Sutter, is dropping sound bites like this.
“When you don’t have the energy or the emotion in the game, then they don’t get to play. It doesn’t really matter who they are. The guys who played in the third got us a point.”
All I’m saying is that if players are going for an extended stay in the doghouse, why not use some of the free beds in the house?
Which brings us to the Islanders. Despite getting shut out 3-0 on Sunday night by Detroit, they have five wins in their last six. Their team defence ranks 5th with 2.50 goals against per game. This is largely helped along by their 90.5% penalty kill.
Narrow it down to the beginning of their winning streak and it gets even more bleak.
Since October 26th — Islanders
5-1-0
Goals Against/GP: 2.00 - Tied for 2nd in NHL
Goals For/GP: 3.67 - 12th in NHL
Powerplay%: 12.5 - 29th in NHL
That weak powerplay might be of use — the Flames are free to play a little looser knowing the Isles probably won’t convert, but they’ve also likely have their ears still ringing after taking seven penalties against the Devils. Two of those coming from the benched Milan Lucic.
It’s also prudent to mention that Flames fans can’t really talk smack about the Isle’s lacklustre powerplay. They have zero goals in that same time span.
Since October 26th — Flames
Powerplay%: 0 - 32nd in NHL
Tough to predict how this game plays out. Will the benchings continue until morale improves? Will the Calgary Flames simply click on the road? Are we in for a ground war that will leave Calgary worn out for the other two games in three days? We’ll start getting answers around 5pm mst.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via naturalstattrick.com and nhl.com.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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