Standard Flames: Acquainted letdown sport leaves Calgary demoralized as soon as once more

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CALGARY – Cease me for those who’ve heard this earlier than.

The Calgary Flames adopted up an emotional win with a one-goal loss to (insert identify of bottom-feeding group), turning (insert identify of unknown goalie) right into a star regardless of outshooting them (insert meaningless stat) earlier than (insert identify of budding younger participant) scored the sport winner.

Chris Tanev referred to it because the “one-game-we’re good, one-game-we-suck,” sample.

The locals (and agent Allen Walsh) confer with their hamster-wheel method because the definition of madness.

Rinse and repeat.

Again and again.

Following Saturday’s win over the Rangers, Monday’s Household Day matinee noticed Philadelphia fill within the predictable blanks, utilizing Samuel Ersson in internet, who made 33 saves earlier than Wade Allison snapped a 3-3 tie with 9 minutes remaining.

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Oh positive, the Flames broke their regular routine by scoring twice within the third, threatening to tug off their first final-period comeback victory in 15 makes an attempt.

Nevertheless, ultimately, it was the identical previous.

If it feels just like the Flames save their worst hockey for the NHL’s worst groups, you may be comforted in understanding you’re not unsuitable.

Towards groups at present sitting outdoors the playoffs, the Flames have stumbled to an 11-11-6 document.

That’s 17 losses in opposition to backside feeders – the kind of video games which are thought-about baseline wins in case you are to make the playoffs.

“We’re not serving to ourselves,” groused Mikael Backlund, whose second-period aim bought the Flames inside one, extending his factors streak to seven video games.

“It’s arduous to play these guys too. No group is straightforward on this league – it’s the perfect league on the planet.

“I’ve been within the place the place you’re approach out of the playoffs and most of these groups are younger groups with guys who wish to show themselves within the league or get new offers.

“Should you give them some life, they’re hanging round.

“That’s been our concern. We haven’t put our foot on the gasoline and brought over video games and pushed them out of video games.

“It’s making it arduous on ourselves.”

Of their final six losses, 4 got here in opposition to goalies with names like Jaxson Stauber, Mads Sogaard, Magnus Hellberg and, on Monday, Ersson.

The 23-year-old fifth rounder did nicely to place his 172-pound body in entrance of loads of high-quality Flames probabilities to run his career-opening win streak to 6 video games.

There was a well timed publish aiding his trigger late within the proceedings, in addition to a couple of that rattled off the fifth-rounder’s torso nearly by chance.

“Yeah, he made some fairly large saves there,” stated Andrew Mangiapane, who tied the sport with 11 minutes left. 

“I don’t know, I kinda really feel prefer it’s taking place a bit an excessive amount of now and we’ve bought to place the onus on ourselves.”

No query.

Factor is, offensively isn’t the place the Flames felt challenged Monday – it was in their very own zone, the place protection was a difficulty on all 4 finishes.

Jacob Markstrom had little probability on the primary three, with the game-winner being a end in-tight everybody in crimson wish to have again.

With morale on the wane, inside and outdoors the dressing room, it’s getting tougher and tougher to consider this Flames membership is able to piecing collectively the kind of run required to remain on this playoff race.

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Their longest win streak of the 12 months has been three video games.

It’s been nearly a month since they’ve gained a measly back-to-back.

“I feel it simply comes all the way down to us being constant,” stated Noah Hanifin.

“Right now of 12 months, irrespective of who we’re taking part in – high group or backside group – we’ve bought to fret about Flames hockey and play constantly.

“We are able to’t let our sport dip in any respect. The remainder of the 12 months we’re going to need to tighten that up, clearly.”

It might worsen, because the Flames now set out for a three-game roadie beginning in Tempe, Arizona to play a high contender for the Connor Bedard contestant, adopted by a sport 24 hours later in Vegas the place the Flames have by no means, ever gained.

After that, the defending champs.

They usually’ll doubtless make the journey with out Michael Stone, who was seen sporting a boot and crutches as he hobbled into the Dome Monday.

Limping alongside – one thing these Flames know all about.

Extra from Sportsnet

Jets’ Morrissey breaks franchise document for factors by a defenceman in single season

Agent of Change: Flames’ Huberdeau units up OT winner in wake of Twitter drama

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