Positives & Negatives in Flames’ Loss to Red Wings
Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena was buzzing Monday night, and the Detroit Red Wings took care of business, with a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Patrick Kane scored twice, while Alex DeBrincat set up three goals. It’s been a rough stretch for Detroit; they had lost five of six before this game. So, for them, seeing Kane and DeBrincat elevate their game was a real shot in the arm. That’s one positive: when your star guys step up, you feel it, and the Red Wings rode that energy all night.
For the Flames, one positive was Matt Coronato.
One bright spot for the Flames was Matt Coronato. The Flames’ rookie scored a goal and picked up an assist. He’s got that spark that can turn a game around, and even in a loss, he showed the kind of playmaking and instincts you hope to see from young guys. If Calgary’s going to improve, they need more nights like this from their young players.
The Flames’ defence simply didn't show up well.
Now, on the flip side, there are some glaring issues. First, the Flames’ defence let Detroit run wild early in the second period. Three goals in just over five minutes is brutal, especially when you’ve started the game with a lead. Odd-man rushes and sloppy coverage turned what could’ve been a tight game into a rout before you knew it. That’s a big negative: you can’t hand a team like Detroit that many easy chances.
Flames’ goalie Dustin Wolf had a rare bad game.
Second, goaltending inconsistencies continue to bite. Dustin Wolf made 20 saves, but a couple of those early goals were tough to shake off. Even the best goalies need a defence that keeps things clean, and the Flames weren’t giving him much help. If Calgary wants to climb the standings, Wolf and the blueliners have to be more in sync.
The Flames had a couple of positives in the game, but not enough to win.
For the Flames, Coronato showed spark, but defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending left them short. Nights like this remind you how fine the line is between winning and sliding down the ladder.