Flames' Tkachuk says Toronto 'licking their chops' following loss; Sutter doesn't pull goalies

Calgary suffered their first defeat Wednesday night since Darryl Sutter took over behind the bench for Geoff Ward, and it was a big one. The Flames got pounded by the Edmonton Oilers 7-3. Following the game, Matthew Tkachuk said his team's play was exactly what the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for from Calgary when the two meet Friday and Saturday.

"I guarantee you Toronto was watching us tonight and probably licking their chops the way we played," said Tkachuk.

"Those skill guys over there, they're wanting a game like that on Friday and Saturday."

He's definitely not wrong. It's exactly the kind of game a skilled team like Toronto will take advantage of if the Flames come out of the gate like that again and fail to contain top players. Edmonton defenceman Tyson Barrie had four assists in the game. Leon Draisatl had three and Connor McDavid added a goal and two assists.

Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom was especially critical of his own performance after letting in seven goals on 30 shots. However, Sutter said after the game he never considered pulling Markstrom.

"Not for one shift, second, minute, anything," Sutter said. "Every team I've ever coached, I do not pull the goalie."

"I believe they fight their way out of it just like everybody else. It's basically a trust thing because I think he's an awesome goalie. But he has to be able to battle, too."

Sutter blamed the loss of Calgary's play in front of Markstrom, rather than blaming the goaltender.

"This team, this group of players have to learn, they don't have the firepower to not put themselves in a position to be good defenders or to check or to play well in their zone," Sutter said. "If they don't play that way ... look at the shots, they end up 33-30. I don't think we're going to score eight goals and beat Edmonton 8-7."

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