The Flames are in a hell of their own design. I don't know if it's an intentional strategy put in place by the coaches or just something that the players fall into for some unknown reason.
Just compare how the two teams are playing. Colorado is pressuring the Flames every step of the way. No time or space in the neutral zone. No time or space in the offensive zone. Even when the Flames get any extended offensive zone time it's all on the perimeter and it's mostly just quick dumps around the boards from one pressured player to another until they turn it over. Colorado is showing absolutely no respect for the Flames skill whatsoever. They're not worried about being beat one-on-one.
Contrast that to the Flames. They're backing off in the neutral zone allowing Colorado to attack with speed. It's one thing to give yourself a bit of a buffer against MacKinnon, he's an exceptional player. But they're doing it against everybody. And then once the Avs gain the zone the Flames just collapse and allow them to move the puck around the zone with impunity. No pressure, just collapse and pray. Our end becomes a shooting gallery. And to top it all off the Flames can't get the puck out of the zone even when they get possession back. Constantly needing two, three, four attempts to get out of your zone is a recipe for disaster.
Two games may have gone to OT, but Smith is the only reason the Flames weren't utterly embarrassed on the scoreboard the last three games. And it's nobody's fault but their own.
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