The Calgary Flames knew they couldn’t count on last year’s magic to keep working. They knew they had to “get better.”
So far, they’ve failed.
“I don’t know what it is,” defenseman Kris Russell told the Calgary Herald after Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Edmonton. “The team we were last year … If we think it’s just going to happen.”
It’s not, and it hasn’t.
In five games, the Flames have only won once, and it took overtime to do it. At five on five, they’ve only scored six times, versus 15 against. In all situations, only the Columbus Blue Jackets have a worse goal differential.
And tough tests are looming. Washington and Detroit visit this week, before the Flames hit the road against the Rangers, Islanders and Senators.
“We’ve got to look at the next game and try to get a win and get the ball rolling,” said forward David Jones. “It’s tough to lose this many early, but I don’t think we can panic or anything.”
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