Wanted: One First Line

For the first time in franchise history Calgary looked to go 5-0 at the start of the season. Coming off a win yesterday against Edmonton, it was the first back to back game of the season and the first look at McElhinney. Let’s just say nothings changed from years past. McElhinney was terrible, the team in front was about the same.

The first shot of the game a couple minutes in he was caught out of position and just like that Flames are down 0-1. The Flame showed signs of life, but with a top line still MIA and no help on the LW (Eric Nystrom tonight, but honestly, that’s not a solution) the team was in trouble.

First minute of the second period again, bang bang, fourth line on a minus now and Dallas up 2-0. Calgary responded with a PP goal by Phaneuf. They would get another in the third by Bourque. Other than that, it was all the scoring they could muster.

Second line and third D-pairing were -3, a turn from their recent good play. McElhinney didn’t do well to solidify his position as the backup. If the Flames want to give Kipper a rest then we may be in for a long long season.

It doesn’t get better for the Flames. Flames go to Chicago on Monday.