Calgary needs a win, no matter who opponent is
The Battle of Alberta is basically an afterthought.
It should be, at least, as the Calgary Flames try to edge their way into a playoff spot as the season winds down, pressure mounts and the home losses continue to pile up.
The Edmonton Oilers, winners of three straight, will try to play the spoiler role and rattle off their eighth consecutive victory against their rivals Tuesday.
But the date, time, place and opponent matters not to the Flames, only the score at the end of the game.
“It has nothing to do with where we’re playing, home or away, who we’re playing against,” said goaltender Mike Smith after Monday’s skate at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “All that matters is what we can control and that’s how we come out as a team and as a group. All the other distractions don’t mean a thing now. Chances for, chances against, shots, shots for, shots against. All that matters is two points and a win and it doesn’t matter how we get it.
“We need to start accumulating some points in the next 12 games.”
Twelve games are all that remain on Calgary’s docket, 10 against Pacific Division foes, including the next seven.
After Sunday’s 5-2 drubbing by the New York Islanders which saw the Flames give up three goals in the first period and two in the first 2:32, many are expecting the Flames to miss the post-season.
At 34-26-10 and 78 points heading into Monday’s action, they were a point behind the Los Angeles Kings (37-26-5), who were facing the Vancouver Canucks, and two points behind the Anaheim Ducks (34-23-12), who played St. Louis. The jockeying likely won’t stop until the final game of the season. That is, unless the Flames decide to pack it in early.
Smith believes there is still time left to make a push.
“There’s 12 games left,” he said. “You’re not out of it until the last game’s buzzer goes. We control our own fate. You look at the standings, you look at who we play. It’s doable. It’s not like we’re out of it. We’re right there in the thick of things. You look at who we play against and the schedule. It’s in here.
“If guys want it bad enough, they can have it.”
And that seems to be the question, especially after Sunday’s disappointing finish which saw the Flames throw 52 shots (but only score two goals) on rookie goalie Chris Gibson. By their own count, they had 94 shot attempts. But with only two goals — from sniper Johnny Gaudreau and captain Mark Giordano — and a power play that went 0-for-4, something clearly isn’t working.
So, do they want it bad enough? Twice during Monday’s brief skate, Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan blew his whistle and stopped an expletive-filled practice.
“How are we starting the game tomorrow?” he snapped at his group.
But there’s only so much the coach can say at this point.
“Everybody’s gotta look in the mirror and be mentally prepared,” Smith said. ”It has nothing to do with us physically out there. We’ve done it. We’ve done it on the road, at times at home. But it’s up to how you’re going to be mentally to start the game. It’s up to each and everyone of us to look after themselves when it comes to that part of the game. There’s no time for passengers at this time of the season.”