‘We’re playing into their hands’

Flames aim to get back to their style of hockey as series heads to Edmonton

Tyler Toffoli says he doesn’t recognize his team.

And if the Flames don’t get back to what’s made them successful all season, they could be in big trouble against their high-flying provincial rivals.

Toffoli scored in the second period to give the home side a 3-1 lead in Friday’s Game 2, but the Edmonton Oilers stormed back with four unanswered goals for a 5-3 victory that evened their second-round playoff series at a game apiece.

“Since I’ve been here we’ve done a really good job of playing our type of hockey,” said Toffoli, acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in February.

“The past two games here, we haven’t really been playing to our foundation. It’s been getting away from us.”

The Flames, normally creatures of a well-defined structure under coach Darryl Sutter, weren’t thrilled with their performance in a wild 9-6 victory in Game 1 of the first post-season Battle of Alberta in 31 years. They were even less enthused after Connor McDavid and Co. scored consecutive goals on the power play, at four-on-four and short-handed to tie the best-of-seven matchup heading into Sunday’s Game 3 in Edmonton.

“They’re a high-scoring team,” Sutter said. “The individual skill sets for them can win hockey games. That was the difference.”

The feeling from the Flames in the wake of Friday’s loss was that they’re fine at five-on-five. But they’re in trouble when McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who combined for two goals and three assists, start wheeling around the offensive zone with more space.

“We’re playing into their hands,” Flames defenceman Noah Hanifin said. “When you’re playing those four-on-fours and you’re short a lot, it’s tough when their top guys can touch the puck and feel it a bit. We’ve got to clean that up.”

Toffoli lamented the lack of discipline in a game that was there for the taking — especially early.

“We took too many penalties,” the winger said after the Oilers enjoyed six power-play opportunities, though with just one goal to show for it. “We’ve got away from our type of game and started playing their game.”

So why has Calgary strayed from a style that got the club to the top of the Pacific Division?

“I’m not really sure,” said Toffoli, who won a Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014.

“It’s playoff hockey. It’s not going to be perfect every single night. Things happen within a game and we have to stay composed. If we stay five-on-five, we’re in a good spot.”

For the Flames so far in this series, that’s been easier said than done.