A team is really only as good as its goaltending. Sadly for the Calgary Flames, their goaltending has let them down all season long.
NHL scores 2016: Goaltending the weak link for the Flames once again
New year, same problems for Calgary.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
We expected the Flames to drop off after their analytics-defying run last season, and much of that was due to their instability in net that wouldn't hold. Since, the pair of Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller for most of this season has not done what management probably expected them to do.
It was much of the same for the Flames in their 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, who have also struggled in net this season. Yet, Eddie Lack was able to shut down Calgary after Ramo allowed three goals on 19 shots in 23 minutes of play, including this easily stoppable five-hole goal from Victor Rask.
Hiller relieved Ramo after the third goal allowed in the opening minutes of the second period and he too faced some struggles, especially near the end of the game. The backup only saw 17 shots in relief, as the Flames started to turn it around after Ramo was yanked to eventually take over the five-on-five play.
Final for this CAR game. All sit at 68, a strong third for CGY to lead 5v5 60-51. #CGYvsCAR https://t.co/6d0Q9WOH6m pic.twitter.com/LK0xlceUQj
— hockeystats.ca (@HockeyStatsCa) January 25, 2016
An offense can only score so much to counteract its netminding. Sure, the Flames are known for their comeback antics, which is what made their run up to and through the playoffs so spectacular, but soon that will have to end if Calgary wants to become a legitimate contender.
In a very weak Pacific Division, the Flames could be right in the mix if they are able to find themselves a proven goaltender by the deadline. A chance to win now -- and a slim one at that -- would come at a cost, one Calgary probably would not like to pay. Right now, the best the Flames can hope for is a chance to retool their netminding situation in the offseason. Until then, Calgary will have to deal with unstable goaltending that has not given them the answers they’ve wanted.
Scores
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Calgary Flames 2
Los Angeles Kings 3, San Jose Sharks 2 (OT)
3 things we learned
1. Chicago finally gets a win outside of Florida!
And a big one at that. The Blackhawks found life after two disinterested losses in the state of Florida that keeps two points out of the hands of their Central Division rival, the St. Louis Blues. Coming into Sunday's game, the Blues were just four points behind the Blackhawks in the Central with a chance to leap over the Stars for second in the division. Rookie Artemi Panarin added another goal to continue his bid for the Calder Trophy and Corey Crawford shut the door with 25 saves in the 2-0 victory. After coming out of Florida looking out of sorts, the win gets the Blackhawks back on track before the All-Star break.
2. The Rangers could not crack Craig Anderson
It took almost 20 minutes for the Rangers to find their legs against the Senators, but even a 35-shot performance could not best Ottawa netminder Craig Anderson. After Anderson's awful performance against the Devils just a few days prior that saw him give up four goals on seven shots in 13 minutes of ice time, the netminder came back with one of his more solid games this season to take points away from a better team.
3. Vincent Lecavalier continues to be a revelation for the Kings
With four goals in nine games with Los Angeles, Lecavalier has kick-started his career in a way no one could have foreseen. Lecavalier's last second goal helped the Kings to overtime against the Sharks in a key Pacific Division match where both teams gained points, though Los Angeles gained the second point in the win. The Kings owe it all to Vinny and another clutch goal that kept the Sharks from gaining too much ground in the race for the Pacific Division lead.
Late-game Lecavalier pic.twitter.com/xziKKGJgfc
— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 25, 2016
Impact Moment
Bobby Ryan scored a goal and helped a family adopt a puppy in the process. Plus, the goal turned out to be the game winner for the Senators, so bonus!
Stat of the Night
Per @EliasSports: Corey Crawford is 1st @NHLBlackhawks goaltender to earn seven shutouts in a season since Antti Niemi in 2009-10. #STLvsCHI
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 25, 2016
Post to Post
- Milan Lucic sat out the Kings' game against the Sharks on Sunday after he threw a "sucker punch" at Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton on Saturday that earned him a one-game suspension.
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