I thought the Flames were playing really well, and even the high danger chances were 'real' high danger chances with legitimate opportunities to score. The goaltending deflated them.
Now that seems like a reasonable excuse on the surface, but...
1) Gulutzan had to pull Smith earlier. He just wasn't ready. After 3 goals - maybe. After the 4th goal, most definitely. Gulutzan waited too long, and it felt like game 4 of last year's playoffs all over again.
2) Push-back push-back push-back. This team has to fight through games like this. I was surprised that they scored a goal at the end, and then not surprised when they surrendered another empty netter. This team just doesn't have that belief any longer. I laughed so hard at RNH proclaiming that once you go down by 3 goals, there is no coming back while the Flames kept pushing back and making those comebacks a few seasons ago. Not that I think that is what the Flames should move back to, but THAT team had a lot of push-back and 'believe' in itself. This team doesn't seem to have that belief.
Some players were great, others not so great... Doesn't matter right now. They are not out, but they are not instilling any confidence that they can beat the odds and sneak into the dance. The odds are against them right now, and when I see a team that folds for a long stretch in such an important game, it makes it real tough to believe in them.
After that 6th goal (or was it on the 7th?), the camera panned to Gulutzan running his finger around the inside rim of his shirt. He must have felt that noose tighten a little bit on that goal. I don't hate him - I don't even dislike him - but it has become obvious to me over the last 2 seasons that he just can't get this team to win for one reason or another. Expectations were fairly high this season, and when that happens, there are changes and there is always a sacrifice to appease the hockey gods.
They have to go on some kind of a win streak to even make it interesting. Some of those teams that are 4 points ahead of them have a game in hand, and the Blues who are 1 point behind have two games in hand. Lose the afternoon game in Vegas, and they are all but mathematically eliminated.
Tough season to follow, but this core does have a lot of promise. They need better coaching and they need that 3rd line to start clicking. The 4th line is so good right now - Lazar - Stajan - Brouwer. The worst line for the majority of the year has now turned into one of the strengths, especially down the stretch. That's something nice to see.
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