Huberdeau’s refusal to shoot isn’t just impeding his progress — it’s costing the Flames

For a time, it appeared the difference would be a pair of goals the L.A. Kings scored just ten seconds apart to open the third period.

However, in the end it would be a pair of Jonathan Huberdeau passing gaffes that ultimately led to the Flames’ demise Thursday night as they fell 4-3.

After valiantly erasing a two-goal deficit in the third period, the Flames found themselves on the brink of winning an overtime game as Huberdeau scrambled in front of the net with a chance to test Pheonix Copley.

Instead, the gifted passer elected to try a no-look backhand, drop pass for Nazem Kadri that was intercepted.

Moments later, Huberdeau gave up another shot opportunity to make an extra pass across to Mikael Backlund that turned into the game-ending 2-on-1 buried by Adrian Kempe.

“I think you saw it, I’ve got to shoot,” Huberdeau told reporters afterwards.

“It’s always been like that. It sucks. I gotta shoot. 

“Obviously, I try to make a pass for an empty net for the other guy, but I have to keep it simple, shoot the puck.”

He’s vowed over and over to shoot the puck more.

He refuses to do so.

And it played a role in the Flames extending their woeful record in overtime/shootouts to 2-7.

Those are valuable points they’ve squandered, as they try to hit the Christmas break in a playoff spot. 

It was an unfortunate ending for the 29-year-old winger whose play has steadily improved over the last few weeks.

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Moved to the second line with Nazem Kadri five games earlier, Huberdeau has responded well, getting more involved in the action and finding increased chemistry with the veteran centre and Milan Lucic.

It was Lucic who sent Huberdeau in alone just three minutes into the game for his sixth of the season, a nifty five-hole finish in front of his brother and dad, who ventured to California for the four-game roadie as the Traveling Hubys. 

It was, not surprisingly, his only shot on goal.

In the midst of a 14-game binge in which he has three goals and 11 assists, Huberdeau has thrown just 17 shots on net. 

Not nearly enough.

“Probably the only thing you’d want back is shoot the puck in overtime,” said Darryl Sutter.

“Their top goal-scorer shot it in the net.”

What was a tight, playoff style game tied 1-1 after two periods, turned into a slugfest after the Kings took advantage of two blue line breakdowns in a span of ten seconds.

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There were still 18 minutes left, and the Flames refused to give up on a game they dubbed earlier in the day as the most important of the season to date.  

A Tyler Toffoli power play snipe five minutes later was followed by a Dillon Dube goal with six minutes remaining to give the Flames a point in 15 of their last 21 outings.

Alas, a stellar evening by Dan Vladar was spoiled with a minute-and-a-half left in overtime when Kempe converted the odd-man rush that started with Huberdeau’s poor decision.

Vladar had stopped a Kevin Fiala penalty shot with eight minutes left, not to mention a stellar save on Anze Kopitar in the dying minutes.

Had Huberdeau buried one of his chances, the mood would be a whole lot better heading into the final game of this four-game trip through California Friday in Anaheim.

Collecting five of six points thus far, the Flames have to be thrilled with the play of Elias Lindholm’s line, which has clicked ever since it was formed five games ago.

Dube has eight points in those five games and Toffoli has four goals and six points in his last three. 

You have success like that when you shoot.   

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