While panic and heart palpitations are probably a little premature and over-reactive, Flames fans have the right to feel at least a little baffled and disappointed by the team's disasterous road-trip. It's not just the losing - a record of 1 - 3 wouldn't be as galling if the losses hadn't been unmitigated slaughters. Out-scored 20 - 12 in 4 games. Special teams, save percentage and goals against average near the bottom of the league.
Flames followers watching or listening to any of these recent games (perhaps with the exception of the victory against the Blue-Jackets) probably can't recall the last time the Flames were so badly outmatched...with good reason. In all 108 games they played in the previous season, the Flames gave up 6 goals only twice, and NEVER gave up 7 or more. New team? New NHL? Tell that to our adversaries or to the Florida Panthers. Those factors aren't harming them in same way or to the same extent they SEEM to be harming the Flames. A Powerplay at 5% and a penalty kill at 50%. Fifty percent! Peter Mahr remarked recently that he can't remember the Flames PK EVER being that bad. That's significant coming from a man who's been the "voice of the Flames" for 25 years. Especially considering the team's decade of futility prior to last season's play-off run.
This apparent incompetence is even more glaring in light of the critical acclaim heaped upon the team in the off-season, particuarly coupled with the fact that Calgary is, on paper, one of the best assembled in a very long time. I venture to say the lone bright-spot thus far has been Dion Phaneuf: he's already scored a goal and lead the team in hits a number of times. At 20 and playing his first NHL season, he looks steadier and more assured than most of the team's veterans. And he's already starting to hand out bone-crushing hits...just ask the Avalanche's Anti Laaksonen.
On the other hand we have the horrible defensive play of the entire team, but in particular, players like Andrew Ference, Steve Montador and Mikka Kiprusoff. Ference in particular is constantly making errors. Kiprusoff, while being pelted with shots and being left on his own, has failed to make the the momentum shifting saves and game stealing performances that fans have come to expect. He has been, at best, average - making a good save at one point and then letting in a mediocre goal soon after. Of course, most sane fans and pundits alike know a goalie isn't going to win, know matter how good he is, when his team is outshot 22 - 4 in the first period. Ugh.
But, here's hoping the Flames find...whatever it is that's missing with the coming homestand. I personally hope to see the relentless forecheck and stingy defense that was the Flames bread-and-butter this Thursday against Dallas. While Im only annoyed (and not worried) about the team's current woes, a poor showing the next week or so at the Saddledome could raise some serious questions and put the Flames in a terrible hole as the season goes forward.
