This one followed a familiar script.

For the third game in a row, the Calgary Flames (1-3-0) left the rink on Tuesday night having been badly out-played in the third period. It’s costing them points early this year and the 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights (2-0-2) was frustrating specifically because it was so similar to what’s happened in the Flames’ past couple games.

They went into the final 20 minutes of the game with a 2-1 lead and left with nothing to show for it.

“It’s a lesson that probably shouldn’t have to be learned with this group,” said Flames forward Blake Coleman, who scored in the first period. “We’ve got guys who know how to do it.”

It’s still way too early to be drawing any concrete conclusions about these Flames, but their third period struggles need to be fixed as quickly as possible. Through four games, they’re getting out-scored 8-2 in the final frame.

There have been stretches this season where you can see the Flames playing the way they need to play to win. The first period on Tuesday was one of them, as the Flames were relentless on the forecheck and playing fast, with Coleman and Mikael Backlund both scoring.

But they took their foot off the gas in the second and gave the Golden Knights life. Then, in the third, the Flames were badly out-played.

It’s a recurring theme for this group.

“Similar to the last (two games), we’re just not playing complete games,” Flames head coach Ryan Huska said. “Whether it’s portions of the third period or a portion of the second period, I thought we got away from what was giving us success earlier in the game. We changed it a bit, which allowed them to get their mojo.”

The games are coming fast and furious for the Flames, but for a group that emphasized the need for a strong start to the season they need to figure out a way to put together a full 60 minutes. Momentum swings are inevitable and happen every game, but they can’t be getting out-played and out-scored every third period if they have any reasonable expectation of being in the playoff race when it eventually heats up.

Through four games, they’re tied for the most goals-allowed in the NHL, with 16, and have the second worst goal-differential, at minus-7. Most of the damage is coming in the final 20 minutes of games.

Here’s three takeaways from Tuesday’s game:

1. HIGH HIT ON PAREKH

Colton Sissons took a run at young Flames blueliner Zayne Parekh late in the third period and the Flames didn’t like it one bit.

Parekh’s helmet flew off as he crashed to the ice and replays did appear to show that the hit was higher than it should have been. Unsurprisingly, MacKenzie Weegar immediately came to his teammate’s defence and the veterans on the ice not-so-politely let Sissons know what they thought about the hit.

“To be honest, I didn’t really see the hit, I saw Zayne fall down without his helmet on so I assumed something bad happened,” Weegar explained. “Not just because it’s Zayne, that’s kind of how our team has come together, nobody gets hit like that. Even if you don’t really see the play, something’s got to be said and there’s got to be a reaction to it.

“We all have each other’s backs.”

In the end, Parekh finished the game and while the fans in the Saddledome stands may have given the refs a piece of their minds, Huska said post-game that he was OK with Sissons receiving a two-minute minor for the play.

2. MIROMANOV’S RETURN

Tuesday marked Daniil Miromanov’s return to the lineup for his first game of the season and it didn’t go perfectly.

Miromanov was beaten badly by a streaking Jack Eichel on the Golden Knights’ go-ahead goal in the third period and didn’t look as sharp as he’d have liked throughout the night.

“I thought he had some shifts,” Huska said. “Some good, some he’d probably like to have back.”

The Flames are currently carrying eight defencemen on their NHL roster and Miromanov is down on the depth chart. With winger Jonathan Huberdeau nearing a return, they’re going to face a decision.

They could place a blueliner like Miromanov on waivers with the intention of sending him down to the Calgary Wranglers, or they could send a young forward like Matvei Gridin or Sam Honzek down and not have to worry about waivers.

You never want to risk losing a player for nothing, but there’s a compelling case that keeping Gridin and Honzek around is the right call.

3. HONZEK TAKING ADVANTAGE

Honzek, in particular, is showing he is deserving of more time with the Flames.

His aggressive forechecking led directly to Coleman’s goal and it’s unfortunate that the NHL didn’t credit him with an assist on the play.

The 20-year-old is clearly getting more comfortable using his frame along the boards and his speed again stood out against the Golden Knights.

“I thought Sam was good again,” Huska said. “There’s little things you want to change a touch in his game, but I thought his size and speed were evident again. I thought he did some good things.”

daustin@postmedia.com
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