Likes those looks
But Gaudreau admits that burying a few would help
DALLAS — Few figured that the Calgary Flames would fall behind in this firstround series.
Then again ...
“I think we were kind of underdogs all year,” insisted Flames superstar Johnny Gaudreau.
“Nobody expected us to be where we're at right now. So just keep that same mindset like we've had all year, and I think we'll be fine.”
If the Flames are feeling any frustration, any fret, it certainly wasn't showing as they refocused for Game 4 against the Dallas Stars.
After dropping two in a row, Gaudreau & Co., need a victory in today's matchup at the American Airlines Center to turn this into a best-ofthree.
“I have more than enough belief in this group to know that we can come out of this,” said Flames alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk. “We know that this series, ultimately the way the two teams play and the competitiveness and the similar styles, will probably go the distance, if not be really close.
“So we have to come in here and win one game. A split is a great thing for us, get home-ice (advantage) back. That's all we have to think about right now.”
Even on an every-second-night schedule, there's plenty of time for overthinking in the playoffs.
There's concern in Calgary, no question, about this 2-1 series deficit.
It wasn't supposed to go like this — and not in the way that Gaudreau was referencing.
He's right that, back in the fall, many predicted the Flames would miss the playoffs. But that changed months ago as Darryl Sutter's squad rolled to 50 regularseason wins and the top seed in the Pacific Division.
So, what the heck is happening against the Stars? Why has the offence dried up? Why hasn't Gaudreau scored? And, for that matter, why hasn't Tkachuk?
Is this another case of here-we-go-again for a franchise that has too often flopped in the first round of the Stanley Cup tournament?
The Flames have mustered just three goals so far in this series — two from Elias Lindholm and another from Trevor Lewis. Gaudreau and Tkachuk assisted on both of Lindholm's goals.
It's not as if the Stars are filling the net, either. Far from it. But in consecutive contests, including Saturday's 4-2 triumph in front of their home fans, the Stars buried a biggie and eventually sealed the deal with a late empty-netter.
“I think last game we took a step, where we're getting more shots and more action around their crease,” Tkachuk said on a scorching Sunday in Dallas.
“I think we did a better job again of it last night. I think we had a lot more better opportunities,” Sutter agreed. “It sounds kind of crazy, but I think our accuracy in a lot of the stuff that we do has to be better, with our passing and around the net with the puck. It's one thing to shoot it and things like that, but the other thing is to score. There's a difference there.”
The Flames needed a little more accuracy out of Gaudreau in the late stages of Game 3.
Calgary's top talent had a breakaway with 31/2 minutes remaining in regulation, a golden opportunity to force overtime.
The 28-year-old left-winger was sizing up a spot between Jake Oettinger's blocker and right pad, but he didn't get enough elevation on this attempt.
Gaudreau's fifth shot of the evening, like the four before it, was turned aside by the Stars' breakout backstop.
Sutter didn't sugar-coat that the Flames needed Johnny to drain that one. As he reiterated Sunday: “That's his job. Jeez, he's one of the best players in the league.”
“Obviously, I would have liked to score,” Gaudreau told reporters a few minutes later. “But I had a lot of chances last night — five or six shots, a couple of them were pretty Grade A opportunities. I'm happy I'm getting those looks. I'll find the net eventually. But yeah, obviously, you want that one back.”
There are no do-overs, but the Flames faithful will feel a whole lot better if their faves can even this series in Game 4. It's about as must of a notquite-must-win as you can get.
The Stars are going to be a tough out. That's clear.
But the Flames like their depth, which is why it will be a point of emphasis to avoid coincidental penalties so they can spend more time at five-on-five.
They've liked their defensive detail against another team that is wired the same way.
Their own puck-stopper has been sharp, although Jacob Markstrom has been slightly outduelled by Oettinger, who owns a sparkling .969 save percentage. (Markstrom has been no slouch at .942.)
They simply need some goals. And soon.
“We're not gripping it too tight at all. Quite honestly, our guys, they're in a good place,” Sutter said.
“You know what? We think we're doing a lot of the things we've done all year, just we're not getting the results. But in a series, you've gotta get results or you run out of real estate.
“You look at last night, they score a power play goal and a four-on-four goal, and that's the difference. It's a fine line.
“Ultimately, everybody always wants to talk then about your goal-scorers and that's fine.
“But it has to be through your lineup. It can't just be on one player, that's for sure.”