The Calgary Flames are headed home, with a two-game losing streak tucked in their back pockets, as they let a multi-goal lead slip from their gloves on Tuesday night. Once again, the ever so pesky San Jose Sharks, got the better of their division rivals — beating them by a score of 5-3.
Calgary Flames left winger, Matthew Tkachuk, grabs hold
of San Jose Sharks captain, Logan Couture's, head in front of
Sharks netminder, Adin Hill. The Sharks went on to win the game 5-3.
Photo Credit: Matt Cohen / Icon Sportswire
The Flames, who now carry an impressive 11-4-2 record away from the ‘Dome, are the current road warriors of the NHL. With that being said, they certainly will be kicking themselves, as last night’s game was one they probably should have come out on top of.
Johnny Gaudreau, who recorded yet another point in last night’s tilt, blamed his team’s inability to score and their powerplay for their loss. Gaudreau and his powerplay squad received a goose egg in their special teams’ column, as they went 0-3 on the man advantage.
“We had opportunities to make it a three-goal game and we didn’t do that. So, we got to find a way to score on the powerplay and take the momentum out of their game,” admitted Gaudreau.
What made matters even worse for the Flames was the Sharks powerplay, who went a perfect 2-2.
Despite the loss, the Flames dominated much of the game — proving why they sit atop the Pacific Division.
It took just one minute and 37 seconds for the Flames to open the scoring as Dillon Dube, who is having a rather lackluster start to his season, scored his third of the season. Dube’s goal came from a great centering pass from his line mate, Milan Lucic, who on the contrary, continues to surprise many. Lucic’ first period assist was also his 10th point in 25 games.
As the first frame concluded, the Flames remained in control with a 2-1 margin thanks to none other than Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau, who potted his 10th goal on the season, was left alone in front of the Sharks net after a nifty, between-the-legs, corner feed from Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk’s noteworthy assist also marked his 300th point in the NHL. The feat took the 23-year-old just 375 games to accomplish.
It wasn’t just Tkachuk who had himself a milestone night in San Jose.
In only his second game of the season, Adam Ruzicka, the fourth-round draft pick for the Flames in 2017, found the back of the net for the first time in his NHL career.
The Slovakian-born forward remained humble when describing what went on during his first NHL goal.
“Right spot at the right time. Been in front of the net, waited for puck. It got through and just buried it. Pretty simple.”
Not long after, the wheels began falling off on the Flames backend. Which, if you ask me, is never good sign for a team that prides themselves on being a defensive first team.
The Flames went from leading 3-1 to trailing 4-3 in just eight minutes and two seconds, thanks to goals from Erik Karlsson, Logan Couture, and Tomas Hertl (again).
The Sharks capped off their night with an empty net goal, courtesy of — you guessed it — Tomas Hertl. The Sharks fifth and final goal was also Hertl’s fourth career hat trick.
Now, I’m sure many of you are asking, ‘if the Flames should have won this game, what went wrong?’
Well, Darryl Sutter, the current Flames head coach and former Sharks head coach, was unafraid to give the media a very accurate, honest, and brutal answer to that very question.
“Our defense had a really rough night. Our goaltender had trouble in traffic and trouble with rebounds,” said Sutter.
“[All] six defensemen played like it was an exhibition game.”
While the Flames defense and goaltending clearly had an off night, Sutter’s offense was not off the hook either.
“Missing nets, missing assignments, turning pucks over. They got to be better than that.”
While dropping games against your division rival is never a great feeling, the Flames are scheduled to play the Sharks twice more this season where they have a chance to tie the season series.
As for this week, the Flames can right their ship starting on Thursday where they face off against Carolina or Saturday against Boston.
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