3 Takeaways From Flames Heartbreaking Loss To Blues

On Monday, the Calgary Flames arrived in St. Louis fresh off a big win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

However, like most back-to-backs this season, they didn’t have it on the second night, dropping the first game of a two-game set against the St. Louis Blues 2-1.

Unfortunately, the loss didn’t help or hinder Calgary’s position in the standings, but losing to a wildcard rival could have ramifications later in the season.

After two games in 48 hours, the Flames don’t have to play on Wednesday but can prepare for another battle against the Blues on Thursday.

Offensive Woes Cost Flames Two Valuable Points

There’s a tweet on social media that someone said when anyone looks at the Flames roster; they would never believe that the club would be in or battling for a playoff spot.

That comment has much to unpack because it’s both right and wrong.

Statistically, the Flames are in and out of the second wildcard spot, depending on the night, with the NHL’s 28th-ranked offense. Currently, the club is seven goals from the bottom of the category.

After a five-goal eruption in Chicago, no one except Kevin Bahl, scoring his second goal of the year, could light the lamp on Tuesday.

The Flames are always in one-goal games; it’s just part of their identity. However, this particular loss hurt the most because valuable points were at stake, and for the eighth time this season, they failed to score more than one goal.

This One is Not on Vladar

It had been 12 days between starts for Dan Vladar, so no one was surprised that he had to shake off some rust in the opening period.

Despite getting beat just 49 seconds into the contest, he responded and finished the night with 23 saves and a .920 SV%. At some moments, Vladar had to be sharp; at others, he was lucky that the Blues hit the post or missed a rebound opportunity.

Ultimately, a goalie can only do so much, and almost every team in the NHL would love a backstopper who only gives up two goals and posts a respectable SV%.

Tuesday’s loss is not on Vladar but on the offense for not providing their netminder with some offense.

Playoff Contenders Play at a Different Level

On Monday, the Flames controlled the game against the last-place Blackhawks and quickly scored five goals. However, 24 hours later, the club had difficulty getting anything past a former Stanley Cup-winning goalie.

The Blues are a veteran team that has been in the playoff mix for quite some time, but they have just missed out on the last two postseasons.

Within two nights, the Flames experienced two hockey teams, one suffering through growing pains with Connor Bedard, to a team that could sneak into the playoffs and throw everyone’s bracket out the window.

Calgary must understand how competitive St. Louis is and adjust their game plan for Thursday, or they risk getting swept by the Blues this season.

No one can predict the future, but in the final days of the playoff race, two points could be the difference in making it or not, and the Flames can’t risk losing another two to someone chasing them in the standing.