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Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus
It just so happens that when the Flames roll into town, this complete circus of a team the weeks prior, has finally said enough is enough and managed to find their game?
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Not quite. The Canucks played a very good game in Toronto three nights before their first home game v. Calgary. They outshot the Maple Leafs 32–19 and limited them to 7 shots through the first two periods.
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You don't just flip a switch from being outscored 26-10 in the previous 5 games to what we're seeing now, unless you're getting serious help from your opponent. If this were the case, why can't the Flames actually step up and hand it to a weaker opponent once and a while?
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They have. The Flames completely outclassed the Canucks on their two visits to Calgary.
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Instead, the Flames are again proving they are incapable of consistency or killer instinct, which, when you get right down to it, means they are mediocre. If it weren't for the continual amazing goaltending from Markstrom, they would surely be near the bottom of the ladder based on the continued lifeless play more often than not.
Do the Flames need to stomp their opponents every night? Certainly not. But they do need to show up and put in more than a pulse for 30+ minutes each night if anything is going to truly change.
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I don't disagree, but I think the reason why they have struggled with consistency has had a lot to do with the schedule. The Flames have played a larger percentage of their schedule on the road so far than any other team in the Division, and they are one of three teams that have played most of their games against the top-three. I am betting that things will correct themselves starting March after the Flames have played over half of their road schedule. After 1 March they will play 20/34 games at the Saddledome