Mark Spector

Mark Spector is a columnist for sportsnet.ca

We didn't see this one coming at all.

Sure, the Vancouver Canucks were a better pick for the Northwest Division title at the beginning of the season, but did anybody look at this Calgary Flames roster and think that this wasn't a Top 8 team in the Western Conference?

"No guts. No pride. No nuts. No clue," wrote veteran Calgary Herald scribe George Johnson, who has seen some mighty good hockey teams in his day, after Saturday's 5-0 loss in Boston. "Not when you quit the way they did Saturday."

Ouch!

Something has turned on Brent Sutter in Calgary, despite a bounce back win in Washington Sunday. When a team that prides itself on being gritty and hard to play against turns soft in the most important periods of its season, that is a sign that the message has been lost.

This is the teenager who finally pushes back against his drill-sergeant father. Or in Sutter's case, the message has been delivered so relentlessly, and with such brutality, maybe the Flames players just can't stand hearing it anymore.

"We need more," Sutter said after the crippling loss in Boston. "You wonder why players' performances are inconsistent all year?

"There needs to be a higher work ethic. A higher commitment to the cause. And a higher sense of urgency. And until the team realizes that, understands that, you get what you get.'"

Since his days coaching junior in Red Deer, the book on Sutter has always been that he ALWAYS needs more. No matter how much you give, he wants more.

In 2010, with millionaires in your lineup, it is fair to question if that tact works anymore.

The de-Sutterization of the Flames franchise will be the focal topic in that town this spring, unless the Flames miraculously climb into the post-season. There is even serious talk about dealing away Jarome Iginla, who has but one goal in 10 stretch-run games.

Clearly, this is a good team that can't find a way to become any better than that. It's time for change in Calgary.

The Canucks Couch

There are two theories when it comes to Roberto Luongo's recent play in Vancouver.

On one hand, you can worry your way through to the end of the Canucks season -- which may be after one playoff round or four. But let's be realistic: Even the best NHL teams only have one option in goal. You could be worse, Canucks fan. You could be in Chicago or Washington.

On the other hand, here is a goalie who seems to be suffering from mental fatigue -- and the long, two-month grind of the playoffs hasn't even started yet. Let's face it: The Canucks have been home and cooled atop the Northwest for a while. These games aren't exactly pressure cookers compared to, say, the games Calgary, Boston and Atlanta are enduring.

This stat courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau, prior to Saturday's loss in San Jose: Luongo's save percentage by period this season is .887 in the first, .922 in second and .936 in third.

Inconsistence in goal and travelling through four playoff rounds are two elements of the NHL that definitely don't go together.

Dustin Off the Bias

If Dustin Penner is not invited to play for Canada's entry at the World Championships, people will say it is head coach Craig MacTavish exercising his bias and keeping Penner off the team.

The fact is, it's hard to make an argument that Penner deserves to go.

He had 18 goals on goals on Dec. 11, and has 27 today. Frankly, the big guy has gone back to floating through a lot of minutes in Edmonton. Prior to the St. Louis game Sunday, he had 17 points in his past 37 games. Throw in the question of his foot speed on the big ice, and the concern that he needs a Top 6 spot and most of those may be taken before his name surfaces on the list, and Penner isn't exactly a lock to be chosen.

I've known MacTavish a long time. If he thought Penner would help that team, or that Penner had figured out whatever it was MacTavish could never teach him, Penner would be asked to play.

Another Burke?

Let's say your team has the No. 2 draft pick, and Oilers GM Steve Tambellini comes calling with Ales Hemsky, Andrew Cogliano, his 31st overall pick in the draft, and an offer to take back your worst contract.

Do you make the deal?

Is there another Brian Burke out there, willing to trade the draft pick that could provide a franchise cornerstone for years to come? We doubt it.