The Flames played out what is becoming an all too familiar script in last night's 4-2 loss to the Rangers. Another 2 goal lead blown. Another game of "come out strong" followed by "fade down the stretch". Eerily similar to their mini-two-game slump in December, during which Calgary lost to Edmonton and Los Angeles, the Flames current struggles cannot be blamed on injury issues this time around. With very nearly a full roster and still smarting from a somewhat emabarassing collapse against a division rival, the Flames were able to muster little more than a mediocre effort against the New Prague Rangers (almost exactly like the aforementioned losses in December). Spotted with an early advantage thanks to some fortunate bounces, the Flames apparently found themselves outmatched for the rest of the contest...which has come to be expected by Flames fans anytime the team manages to go up by two goals these days.
How bad is this bad habit? Peter Mahr reported on the radio this morning that Calgary has managed to squander 6 two goal leads in their past 11 games! Consider that they only did that once in their first 30 games (against Chicago). What is the source of this baffling numb-skullery??
Defense:
Suffering from a number of key injuries, we forgave the Flames for some of their more lax defensive outings in December. Lacking characters like Hamrlik, Yelle and Nilson, it was somewhat plausible that Calgary might start giving up more shots and goals than usual. However, even with a fuller roster Calgary seems to be giving up a lot of quality shots on a nightly basis. In addition, there have been games where Calgary's penalty killing (versus Edmonton and Vancouver recently) has been worse than average, at best. During those contests, Calgary seemed to have difficulty pressuring puck holders and reducing shots from the point. Also, I've noticed in the past couple of weeks an almost total inability to clear the puck from the Calgary zone at times (be it 5on5 or otherwise). Whether this is due to player characteristics (bad first pass, losing battles, etc.) or coaching characteristics (easily stuffed break-out pattern), the Flames need to start to clean up their defensive zone play overall.
Offense:
No killer instinct. With struggles afflicting the likes of Chuck Kobasew, Chris Simon, Tony Amonte and, of course, Jarome Iginla, the Flames don't seem to have the ability to bear down and put opponents out of their misery. For example, Iginla blew a glorious chance in last nights contest to put the Flames up 3-0 and the game further out of reach. Short moments later, the Rangers scored to make it 2-1 and change the complexion of the game. Like the LA and Nashville losses in December, Calgary let control of the match slowly slip between their fingers with nary more than a whimper. In fact, the Flames got both of their goals from defensemen last night, meaning the forwards were all but MIA. Calgary managed a grand total of 21 shots on goal, 7 of which came from Phaneuf and Hamrlik alone. Warrener and Regehr also had one each...meaning that the Flames collective forward unit put a mere 12 shots on Lundqvist over 60 minutes. Hardly an inspired effort, for sure.
At this point in the season, and certainly in these kinds of contests, a lot of the blame should be shouldered by Jarome Iginla. His current point total for the season, 33, is frankly ridiculous for someone of his ability (and pay scale). His play frequently is inconsistent from game to game (and sometimes from shift to shift). It ranges from passionate and inspired (and dangerous) to ineffectual and invisible. Iginla, at his best, makes a habit out of turning nothing into something - by scoring suddenly and inexplicably thanks to his strength along the boards or his quick release. This year, however, Iginla has had problems burying even the most glorious of opportunities. He misses on break aways and shoots wide on 2on1's. Some games he doesn't get any scoring chances at all. A superstar forward granted primo powerplay time every single game should almost NEVER get no scoring chances.
As a result, Calgary's 7 million dollar man has put up 2nd/3rd line winger numbers and is close to 70th in NHL scoring. He's had zero hat tricks and only a small sample of multiple point games (the last of which came against the Devils in early December I think...). He struggles to score points in consecutive games. A couple of seasons ago, Jarome had a relatively bad game if he only scored 1 goal in it. Nowadays Jarome scores 1 goal every five games. His slump is even more glaring in light of the "new" NHL, where more than 15 players are on track for 100+ point seasons for the first time in a decade and where 20 year old rookies accumulate 20 goals in under 40 games. Heck, Calgary's 20 year old defenseman (Dion) has only 6 less than Iginla (but has more PP goals). The result for the Flames (up till now) is an offensive attack being led by what was formerly one of the most danergous players in the game - but what is currently one of it's most frustrated and inconsistent. The product is a below average offensive unit and easily bequeathed advantages...
So when will Iginla, the real Iginla, turn up? Hard to say. One has to hope that he appears, at the very latest, in early April.
Positives and Negatives now-
Positives:
- Hmm...Phanuef scores again?
- The return of Roman Hamrlik to the line-up. Assisted on Dion's goal.
- Not too much else.
Negatives:
- Another win converted to a loss thanks to the Flames inability to capitalize on (another) 2 goal lead.
- Lack of effort. Calgary gets outplayed for most of the contest at both ends of the rink.
- Tony Amonte. Poor effort lead to 3rd Ranger goal. -3 on the night.
- More inopportune penalties. Specifically Huselius near the end of the third for high-sticking.
- Jarome Iginla. Missed a great chance to put the game away and was -2 on the night.
- Forward unit. No forechecking, a little backchecking, no goals. Terrible night.
- Sykora's fluke goal from behind the night. Boo.
- Edmonton and Vancouver and Colorado and Minnesota are all winning right now. Calgary's grasp on first in the division becomes more tenuous.
Calgary visits the drooping Islanders tomorrow night. Losers of 8 of their last 9 games, the Islanders are reeling and SHOULD be quite the opportunity for Calgary to pick up some points as well as some confidence. Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen.
