[browna]

I’m hardly going to roll out the “bad luck” element, however, last year, Flames took their opportunities and made the most of them earlier in the games. All of a sudden the momentum swings and the direction of the games changes when they played with a lead or if they tied it up.

This year, they don’t take that opportunity and then they are playing from behind, or get behind, and then the whole atmosphere of the game changes. Look at last night. Without those two PP goals in quick succession, it would’ve gone into the 3rd period tie game and who knows.

They had the lead because of the PP but 5 on 5 looked nothing better than Dallas, but overall were rewarded and had the lead and the perception is that they are back after they win. Tonight, I don’t think they played much worse overall, but no PP goals, missing a couple good chances, but are being chastised for lazy and uncommitted when they lose.

Imo, they, all season, and certainly under Ward, look like generally the same team as last year, but are scoring that one less goal and not scoring it at the critical time of the game they did last year, and don’t seem to have that timing.

Tonight,if they go up 1-0 early in the second they likely win 3-1 and cruise to that win, which is what they would’ve done last year, without looking any better on the ice, or more exciting then they did in this 3-0 loss.

Tonight, can’t say the Wild looked like the better team really at any point, but Flames had chances which would’ve given them a lead and didn’t.

In general, again, I don’t see a massive difference in the team over last year, as far as work ethnic or anything like that...the big change is they aren’t getting that timely goal which breaks the game open, and it’s almost like they are just expecting it to happen naturally as it did last year. Last night they got those goals and forced the other team to catch up, and tonight, had to play catch-up, but I don’t think the style or effort was that different.