Tuesday’s loss to the Sharks was one of the worst games of the season. Ditto for netminder Jacob Markstrom. Hey, we’re all allowed to have off days — and that’s what the outing will be chalked up to at the end of the season. But, given Markstrom’s competitive nature, it’s likely been eating him for a few days.
POINTS LEADERS
FLAMES
Johnny Gaudreau 63 29 53 82 +44
Matthew Tkachuk 63 29 47 76 +38
Elias Lindholm 59 31 34 65 +45
COYOTES
Clayton Keller 63 27 35 62 +3
Nick Schmaltz 44 19 24 43 +9
Shayne Gostisbehere 63 10 30 40 -10
SPECIAL TEAMS
FLAMES: PP — 23.9% (9th) PK — 85.4% (4th)
COYOTES: PP — 13.8% (30th) PK — 73.9% (31st)
After Friday’s clash, the teams will meet once more April 16 at Calgary … The Flames have won the last three contests against the Coyotes … Arizona GM Bill Armstrong swapped a 2022 second-round draft pick to the Minnesota Wild for prospect Jack McBain and inked him to a two-year entry-level deal earlier this week.
There doesn't appear to be much chance of the Flames looking past a Coyotes team that has dropped three straight games in regulation and will be among the favorites to win the lottery for the top pick in this summer's NHL draft.
The defeat at the hands of a Sharks team that is all but eliminated from playoff contention was an abysmal defensive performance, with everybody -- including goaltender Jacob Markstrom -- accepting and deserving blame.
"Four goals against at home. I thought we kept the chances down," Markstrom said. "You've gotta stop all four. That wasn't good. I've gotta be better."
The Flames are the league's No. 2 team defensively but looked nothing like it against the Sharks.
"No excuse," forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "(Markstrom) has been our MVP this year and we did a terrible job, in the third especially, in front of him."
Friday's clash likely will be the debut of centre Ryan Carpenter, the veteran acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline. Carpenter skated on the fourth line during Thursday's practice, with Sean Monahan appearing the odd-man out in what's been a dreadful season for the seven-time 20-goal scorer.
Last edited by Cheese; 03-25-2022 at 11:21 AM.
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Can't see a world in which the Flames lose this one. Vladar, Markstrom, Monahan, Carpenter, doesn't matter. Coming off that last game, they'll be ready.
Not that I'm happy Monahan is playing so poorly he's a health scratch but I am pleased Sutter is doing it. Probably long overdue and I think Lucic needs to rotate out of the lineup too, especially once a playoff spot is secured.
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Get slotted further and further down the lineup in repeated feeble attempts to justify giving him a lineup spot only to find that he doesn't really have a fit on the team that someone else can be better at. Like anywhere.
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Macelli is stepping in and doing well for the Yotes, excited to watch him. I think Pelletier could offer much of the same, they’ve been pretty comparable in the AHL this year.
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