Flames Skid Hits Seven After 3-1 Loss to Bruins

The Calgary Flames were all start, no finish on their three-game road trip.

After another loss in Boston — a 3-1 decision in favour of the Bruins — the Flames are at a loss for words on how to stop them from piling up.

They’re at seven consecutive now.

And as tired as they may be leaving the east with just a single point after three strong road games, it’s going to be tough for any of the Flames players to sleep on the long flight home.

You can’t fault their effort.

The Flames prevented the Bruins from even registering a shot on goal during the first eight minutes of the first two periods. On Noah Hanifin’s first goal of the season, the visitors scored the first goal of the night, too.

In the third period, trailing by a goal, they pressed hard for the equalizer. Tapping deep into the reserve tanks. They carried the play — in spurts — against one of the league’s top teams. This despite it being their third game in four nights.

And the top four defencemen have played a lot of minutes.

If anyone does manage to nod off on the plane, it would be Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar and Nikita Zadorov. They all played big minutes in games against the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Bruins.

With Chris Tanev and Michael Stone injured, and Oliver Kylington still overseas, Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter has limited time for Connor Mackey, and now Nick DeSimone and Dennis Gilbert on the back end.

But their brains may keep them awake, too.

They’re one big save or goal away from reversing their fortunes, but they can’t seem to get it.

With so many questions surrounding the Calgary Flames right now, individual players will be searching for those answers internally.

Andrew Mangiapane, who has just two goals in 13 games this season after scoring 35 last year, will wonder how he missed a wide-open net in the second period.

The snakebitten sniper snapped the puck into the side of the empty cage.

Tyler Toffoli didn’t even get that close on his opportunity. With goalie Linus Ullmark caught at the left side of his net, Toffoli ripped a shot … wide.

He looked like he was going to Bo Jackson his twig over his helmet.

Dillon Dube also missed by a matter of inches on a backhand in tight.

And working hard isn’t a silver lining from their perspective.

“Just saying you worked as hard as you can isn’t good enough,” Dube said on Sportsnet 960 radio post-game. “We just need to channel (the potential frustration) the right way.”

Jonathan Huberdeau remained out with a foot injury, but the Flames still managed some good chances on 32 shots. Dan Vladar made 25 saves against his old NHL team to give his Flames a chance.

But the longest losing skid since March 2018 continues.

And now they’re left trying to figure out how to stop the losing skid at home, where it began.

Saturday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets is a big one.