3 Things From Week 17: Just Win…In Regulation, 3rd Line Blues & Matthew Tkachuk Is Scoring

Well, another week is in the books and another streak is at hand, but it’s not a good streak. The Flames went 0-0-3 over the last 7 days. When’s the last time you saw that line? Calgary fell twice in overtime and once in a shootout, but with the 3 extra time losses they managed to secure 3 points. The Flames dropped games to Buffalo 2-1 (OT), LA 2-1 (OT) and finally to the Oilers 4-3 (SO). It was a weird week for sure, but the Flames still manage to find themselves 3rd in the Pacific and 6th in the West. None of this makes any sense.

Enough With Extra Time: 3 games beyond regulation, 3 losses.

The Flames entered last week with a very good record in overtime and left the week wondering what just happened. Calgary dropped 2 games in the overtime session, dropping their record to 6-3. The Flames were an almost blemish free 6-1 before this week started, but found themselves unable to score and that did them in. Both games against LA and Buffalo ended up in overtime and the Flames couldn’t solve either team’s goaltenders, scoring a combined 2 goals in those losses.

As for shootouts, the Flames continue to struggle. Calgary lost their game to Edmonton in the shootout round, dropping their record in the gimmick session to 2-5. The Flames need to switch up their shooters in this portion of the game as the only Flames player with any luck in the shootout round is Matthew Tkachuk. But a better solution would be to NOT get to the shootout. Just try to win it in regulation.

3rd Line Where You At?: After going on a tear the Flames emerging 3rd line has disappeared.

We’ll cut them SOME slack because they’re all kids, but the Flames 3rd line has been delivering goose eggs as of late. This week in Calgary’s 3 games Mark Jankowski, Sam Bennett and Garnet Hathaway all produced 0 points. That’s not good. The trio also only combined for 13 SOG over the entire week. To put that into perspective, Sean Monahan had 8 SOG all by himself in the Flames 2-1 OT loss to the Kings.

The kids should turn it around at some point, but the sledding hasn’t been tough, it’s been downright impossible. Sam Bennett is back to his streaky self with only 2 points in his last 15 games. Garnet Hathaway was 2 points in his last 15. And lastly, Mark Jankowski is the “hot” player with 4 points in his last 15. The Flames will need this line to correct itself if they plan to continue a slow, plodding march to the playoffs. If not, a shake up may be in order.

Here’s Chucky!: Matthew Tkachuk is on a torrid pace.

Matthew Tkachuk has been the guiding force for the Flames and their limited offence as of late. The 20 year old forward had 3 goals last week, which upped his point total to 34 on the season, good for 3rd on the Flames. How important has he been to the Flames? Calgary only had 5 goals total last week. Tkachuk has points in 10 of his last 14 games, including 4 multi point games. He also appears to be the only Calgary Flame who can score in a shoot out.

How do you think the Flames did this week? Vote in our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section!

by Mark Parkinson