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Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau didn’t hold back after the team’s disappointing 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguinsrecognizing the team’s problems and providing a candid assessment of their performance. Huberdeau, a key contributor for the Flames, expressed frustration with the team’s recent decline and pointed out a key issue with their overall play.
According to the veteran forward, the Flames have become “an easy team to play against.” Much of the team’s recent decline can be traced to a lack of speed, cohesion and attention to detail. In his commentary, Huberdeau outlined where the Flames fell short and how they can regain the form that made them a promising team at the start of the season. His body language during the interview tells the whole story of the Flames’ current crisis.
Huberdeau emphasized that the Flames have been noticeably slower in recent games, which has contributed to their struggles. “We have been slower in the last few games,” he said, noting that their lack of speed has left them vulnerable to faster and more decisive opponents.
Speed has always been a hallmark of competitive teams, and Huberdeau’s comments highlight a crucial area where the Flames need to improve. In particular, Huberdeau believes that their inability to generate consistent attacking pressure and quickly switch from defense to attack has made them easier to play against, allowing opponents to control the pace of the game.
The Flames forward also pointed to missed assignments as contributing to their woes. Huberdeau explained that when the team fails to execute plays correctly, it leads to gaps in coverage, creating opportunities for the opposition to capitalize. “We’re missing some orders,” he said. This lack of discipline and inability to take action at the right times has been particularly evident in the team’s defensive zone, where breakdowns have led to costly goals against them. Huberdeau’s point about the need to play as a cohesive unit resonates, as the team’s defense struggles to work together and communicate effectively.
Another critical area where Huberdeau sees the Flames falling short is on special teams, specifically the penalty kill. He acknowledged that while the team needs to avoid penalties, it is just as important to perform well when players are short. “The PK needs to get better,” Huberdeau stated, noting that their penalty killing struggles have exacerbated their problems in 5-on-5 play. If the team falls behind by several goals, as they did against the Penguins, it becomes even more challenging to claw their way back, especially if the Flames’ penalty kill isn’t functioning at a high level.
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