Flames shake up lines and Kirkland's getting scratched
Why is this happening?
With just six games remaining in the regular season, the Flames continue to adjust their lineup in an attempt to find the right combination for a playoff push. Darryl Sutter has made several changes to his forward lines in recent games, and he's not afraid to make more if he doesn't like what he sees.“It's tough when you're not winning,” Sutter said. “You've got to try to find a way to win. We've got to find a way to get some more offense going.”
The Flames have lost four of their last six games, and they've been outscored 20-11 in that span. They're currently sitting in third place in the Pacific Division, but they're just two points ahead of the fourth-place Edmonton Oilers.
Sutter has tried a number of different combinations up front, but he hasn't found one that's consistently clicked. The Flames have struggled to score goals all season long, and they're hoping that the changes will help them find some more offensive firepower.
Who is being scratched?
One of the biggest changes that Sutter made was scratching forward Brett Kirkland. Kirkland has been a healthy scratch for the past two games, and it's unclear if he'll be back in the lineup anytime soon.Kirkland has been a disappointment this season, and he's been passed over by several other players on the depth chart. He has just one goal and two assists in 37 games this season, and he's been a liability defensively.
Sutter is hoping that scratching Kirkland will send a message to the rest of the team. He wants his players to know that he's not afraid to make changes if he doesn't like what he sees.
What are the Flames' playoff chances?
The Flames are still in a good position to make the playoffs, but they need to start winning games soon. They have a tough schedule remaining, and they can't afford to slip up any more.If the Flames can find a way to win their remaining games, they should be able to secure a playoff spot. However, if they continue to struggle, they could miss the playoffs altogether.
The Flames have a lot of talent, but they need to find a way to put it all together. If they can do that, they have a chance to make a deep playoff run.
