‘We’re playing into their hands’
CALGARY — Tyler Toffoli would not acknowledge this model of his crew.
And if the Flames do not get again to what’s made them profitable all season, Calgary might be in massive hassle towards its high-flying provincial rival.
Toffoli scored within the second interval to provide the house facet a 3-1 lead Friday, however the Edmonton Oilers stormed again with 4 unanswered targets to safe a 5-3 victory that evened the groups’ second-round playoff sequence 1-1.
“Since I have been right here we have achieved a very good job of enjoying our sort of hockey,” stated Toffoli, who was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in February. “The previous two video games right here we have not actually been enjoying to our basis.
“It has been getting away from us.”
The Flames — usually creatures of a well-defined construction — weren’t thrilled with their efficiency in a wild 9-6 victory in Sport 1 of the primary post-season Battle of Alberta in 31 years.
Calgary was even much less enthused after Connor McDavid and Co. scored consecutive targets on the facility play, at four-on-four and shorthanded to seize maintain of proceedings and ship the best-of-seven matchup to Edmonton even forward of Sunday’s Sport 3.
“They are a high-scoring crew,” Flames head coach Darryl Sutter stated. “The person ability units for them can win hockey video games.
“That was the distinction tonight.”
The sensation from the Flames within the wake of Friday’s loss was they’re fantastic so long as the motion stays at five-on-five.
However when the likes of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who mixed for 2 targets and three assists, get an opportunity to start out wheeling across the offensive zone with extra space is when Calgary will get into hassle.
“We’re enjoying into their palms,” Flames defenceman Noah Hanifin stated. “Whenever you’re enjoying these four-on-fours and also you’re quick so much, it is robust when their high guys can contact the puck and really feel it a bit.
“We have to scrub that up.”
Toffoli lamented his crew’s lack of self-discipline in a recreation that was there for the taking — particularly early.
“We took too many penalties,” the winger stated after the Oilers related on one in all their six energy performs. “We have away from our sort of recreation and began enjoying their recreation. When that occurs they’ve guys that may do a few of the issues that they did.
“We did not do an excellent job.”
So why has Calgary strayed from a method that received the membership to the highest of the Pacific Division on the season’s most important juncture?
“I am not likely certain,” Toffoli stated. “It is one thing that now we have to speak about inside ourselves. On the finish of the day, I’ve stated final sequence as properly, no person’s going to do it — it is solely us.
“Now we have to discover a approach to get again to it and play five-on-five hockey and take over video games.”
Calgary jumped out to a 2-0 lead simply over six minutes into Friday’s contest after pushing forward 3-0 in Sport 2, however allowed Edmonton to search out its footing.
“The principle factor for us is simply making an attempt to maintain it five-on-five,” Hanifin stated. “We’re having good begins. We like our recreation at five-on-five.
“It is simply after we begin stepping into these conditions the place it is four-on-four and stuff, it is to not our benefit, not our recreation, and so they have success.”
Toffoli, who received the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, stated the Flames merely must get again to their outdated, trusted habits because the sequence now shifts to the Alberta capital.
“It is playoff hockey, it isn’t going to be good each single evening,” he stated. “Issues occur inside a recreation and now we have to remain composed.
“If we keep five-on-five we’re in a great spot.”
Thus far on this sequence, nevertheless, that is been simpler stated than achieved.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Could 20, 2022.
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Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
