Flames need ‘complete team effort’ with backs against the wall

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Throughout the 2021-22 season, the Calgary Flames’ identity has been all about how they can roll four lines, play a tight-checking game (as opposed to simply defend), and play with pace and grit.

The Flames will rely on all they have built since training camp in September as they attempt to extend their season with a victory at home tonight in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal against the surging Oilers. Edmonton leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can eliminate Calgary with a victory tonight at the Saddledome.

“It really has to be complete team effort if we're going to get a win here tonight,” top-line forward Matthew Tkachuk said. 

“Just start with one, use our home crowd to our advantage and get everybody going early and see what happens.”

Much of the difference in this series has been the level of play of Edmonton’s stars versus Calgary’s star players. Since Game 1, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane have combined for 23 points, while Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm have just five.

“There’s guys that can maybe get around the net more, maybe there’s more pucks between the hashmarks, maybe there’s a little bit more on the rush, a little bit more on the power play,” Flames head coach Darryl Sutter said when asked about how his team can generate more offence. 

Sutter also praised Tkachuk’s effort while saying he could use his tools more.

“I think just his skill-set [and] using it more to his advantage,” the veteran coach said.

“It’s got nothing to do with effort or anything like that with any of our guys that haven’t been as productive after Game 1 of this series, but you have to give Edmonton credit in that, too. Maybe our guys are doing all they can,