I know it is only one game, but what I saw last night, I have seen too many times over the last couple of years — a great first period, poor second, and a push back third only to fall short.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard a coach or player say, “we need to play a full 60 minutes like we did in the first period,” I would be a rich man.
For some strange reason, the Flames come out and follow the game plan almost perfectly and then forget what they did come the second period. Is it complacency, lack of killer instinct, or do they become self satisfied? Could be all three but if this team wants to make the playoffs, it needs to be corrected immediately.
On Sunday night the Flames lost to the San Jose Sharks 4-1. The reason they lost is because of what I just stated, but also I thought they were too soft on the Sharks’ top players. When you see the final scoresheet and you see the names Thornton, Marleau, Boyle, and Pavelski more than once, you probably have lost the game.
You cannot allow the top players of other teams to be the best players on the ice. On Monday, the Flames get right back at it when they host the Anaheim Ducks. And guess what? They also have some of the elite players in the NHL. If the Flames do not shut down the likes of Selanne, Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan, there is a good chance the Flames could start the season 0-2.
