cross16

They’ve been the better team through 40 but it’s the same script. missing on some chances. Key mistakes, particularly coming out of their own zone no breaks. and down 2-1 as a result. They should be ahead. Just the definition of a team in a slump.

Bruins do exactly what Dube just got called for and no call leads to a goal. Officiating has been garbage to start the season and flames keep coming up on the short end.

Man Weegar must be the strongest guy alive to be able to trip a guy with one hand on his stick.

Bread missing that net is so typical of this season so far. Everyone just a little off.

Something worth considering IMO is the fact that the Flames to date have played against the leagues hardest schedule, and it really isn't that close.

I find it encouraging he was on the ice but I would suspect Huberdeau is going to miss this game. Some small lineup changes. Looks like Vladar in net

It really should be Phillips. Flames are probably looking at losing him as a UFA this offseason so I'd at least dangle the carrot at some point to see what you have or give him a reason to consider staying.

For all of the attention being paid to training camp it should be pointed out that Sutter himself said during the last round of cuts that they were sending players down that had outplayed vets that were staying. I personally don't have any doubts that there are players in the A right now that could help the team. There are some good reasons why they remain down there but there are some bad ones too.

The Wranglers currently have: The AHL's leading scorer 2 of the top 16 goals scorers 3 players at or above a PPG Pelletier has 8 points in his last 6 games the 10th highest scoring dman (who happens to be tied for highest rookie scoring dman) A top 15 goalies who has also been excellent his last 3 starts. There is plenty of talent in the AHL if the Flames want to use it. The cap is the issue now but there are options there IMO.

I wouldn't have been upset with Vladar but at the same time I don't think he's been good to start the year and your trying to get Markstrom to find his game. So I get why Markstrom started.

"blame" is a strong word yes because the team still has things they need to improve upon, but at the same time during this losing streak at 5 on 5 the Flames are: 4th in CF% 3rd in Shots F 4th in shots against 8th in Expected Goals for 10th in Expected goal against 6th in Expected goals for% 8th in High danger chances against 9th in High danger chance F% 13 in High danger chances for 20th in Scoring change For% 19th in Scoring Change For 18th in scoring chances Against 9th worst in shooting % 6th worse in Save % They are not playing as poorly as it seems and while they could so themselves a favor with more scoring, and limiting a few more chances, it really feels like every mistakes is winding up in the back of their net. This is a 6 game losing streak because Markstrom, and Vladar, just have not been good enough. The team picked them up to start the season where they won despite some not so great play, now it's the goalies turn to pick the team up.

Another tough one to lose. I don't think they played poorly and they had one of their best defensive efforts of the season. Just not enough offence created and again Markstrom can't shut the door like they need him to. That's how it goes when your slumping, but on the positive side I do think they are starting to get more consistent on executing their defensive game, starting to get more consistent in terms of lines, puck management etc. Slow process but they are building towards a better team game, even if it doesn't feel like it.

It is possible that they did approve, I just don't know either way. LTIR isn't as easy or as beneficial as it gets made out to be. It's not uncommon, and in fact its actually better, for teams to avoid using it until they absolutely have to and the Flames are not in a position where they have to use it yet.

Just to add to this (before the "Flames haven't been playing good D crowd gets involved) at 5 on 5 (per 60mins) the Flames rank: 7th in shots against 11th in Expected goals against 21st in Scoring Changes against 7th in High danger Changes against Could be better for sure but it doesn't provide enough of an excuse IMO for the goaltending, it needs to be better and in particular it needs to be more timely. I mean a few timely saves and this isn't a losing streak: Markstrom needs to stop that error on the McDavid rim against Edmonton. Vladar not stopping at least 1 of the Kraken goals in the 3rd Palmari goal last night Sometimes its when you make the saves and not how many.

I would have said this before the season but given how the season has played out I really don't know how you can get behind any scenario that has Ruzicka/Rooney or Lewis as your 3rd line center.

Kylington isn't hurt so he isn't eligible. Word was they appealed to the league to see if he was eligible or not but no word on what the league actually ruled. It would be an exception to put him on LTIR. In order to be eligible for LTIR you have to miss 10 games or 24 days. I think at this point it's either the Flames don't expect either Tanev or Stone to miss that much time, or they arn't quite sure and don't want to deal with the headache that is LTIR if they are not sure.

Flames are in a really tough spot with their D right now because on top of the injuries, Anderson and Hanifin have not played well. They were excellent to start the season but I think since the Oiler game they've fallen off hard. Makes it extra challenging for Sutter to manage the depth when the one pair he should be able to count on, isn't getting it done.

Sutter challenging the depth dmen on this team

Had a chance to review this AM and on that goal that was actually Kadri's man. Things actually look good upon the entry. Flames play man to man so you see 3 Flames on 3 Islanders and the 4th man, who wound up scoring, is the responsibility of the backchecker (Kadri). From another angle you can see that Kadri never got goal side of his man so there should have been communication back to Mang (maybe there was and it was just late) that he didn't have him and Mang should pick him up. I'll chalk this up to a communication breakdown, which is the theme i'm seeing in the Flames d zone play this year. It was a 4-3 play for the Islanders so that, and a nifty play by Barzal, I think causes some panic for the Flames. Flames have been very susceptible to 3-2 or 4-3 plays so far this year.

i understand all of that and I’m not asking for Huberdeau to play 25 mins a night. There is quite a bit of runway between Huberdeau and Ritchie almost playing the same ice time and Huberdeau playing 25 mins. if the 4th line had been good lately I’d be more understanding but they haven’t been. The bench should have been shortened in the 3rd especially with the way it was playing out.

Think before we panic should point out the Flames we’re pretty good in this game. 14-10 Flames in high danger chances 3.39 to 2.2 in expected goals 55% plus share in Corsi and Fenwick. 100% you want them to guide that home and manage the puck better but I still think a lot of the puck management issues come down to chemistry. And honestly Mackstrom needs to make that save on Palmari. I don’t see a reason to be negative about the game.

It’s early season but Brett Ritchie and Milan Lucic played almost as much 5on5 ice time as Kadri and Huberdeau tonight I get rolling likes but In a game where your up and need a win that doesn’t make sense to me. Now with what that line has done so far this season. They got hemmed in a lot in that 3rd period.

I mean this shouldn’t have gone to OT and flames need to get that home. but that’s a tough way to lose with 2 brutal officiating errors. Back to back games the flames get screwed on OT calls.

Markstrom was good but at the same time HD chances are 14-9 Flames and expects goals are 3.39 to 2.21 flames. and the 3rd goal was one Markstrom would want back.

That’s a horrible missed call. As obvious as it gets. flames can’t get a break right now. Not exactly earning a ton of them but a break would be nice.