Tyler ToffoliHis preseason Friday night game against the Steelers was his best. WinnipegHe was not in the mood to talk about how good he played.
Players will often deflect praise and attention in a losing effort — Toffoli would have been the story on this night considering how coach Darryl Sutter spoke About the top line earlier in this week — but he genuinely wasn’t interested in playing up his individual success. Not while his team has looked out of sorts in back-to-back games against the same opponent and hasn’t reached a level that inspires full confidence before the start of the regular season.
According to Toffoli, “everything” can be corrected.
“It’s a work in progress for everybody,” Toffoli said. “We’re all trying to figure out where we’re all out as a team. Time’s running out, and the season’s starting here in four or five days.”
The defense, which is supposed be solid and filled with viable options, must be more efficient in how it handles pucks in its own ends and its coverages. The first period of play is when the defense must be more efficient with puck handling. FlamesTwo times, a Jets forward who was open to scoring past missed an open goal. He camped out in front the goal with a clear chance to score. Jacob Markstrom. Still work is needed on the penalty kill and power play. While the Flames focused their practice Thursday on special teams, they need to be more consistent in games to sharpen their skills.
