The Calgary Flames understand that if they want to be a playoff team, they’re going to have to start playing like one.
As such, they approached Thursday’s game against the visiting Anaheim Ducks like it was the post-season — ready to play a tight-checking, heavy-hitting hockey game against one of their most bitter Pacific Division rivals.
Good thing it’s still December. The Flames were knocked out 3-1 and allowed the Ducks to take advantage of their undisciplined play, scoring two unanswered goals in the third period including their second power-play marker of the night.
Instead of leapfrogging Anaheim in the standings, Calgary (19-17-2) dropped to 8-10-0 at the Scotiabank Saddledome as the Ducks improved to 18-12-7.