MUST SEE: Darryl Sutter throws Flames under the bus ahead of Game 5

The Calgary Flames appeared to have things well in control over their bitter provincial rival Edmonton Oilers following their thrilling 9-6 triumph in Game 1 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. They beat former teammate Mike Smith for two early goals shortly into Game 2, and the C of Red was rocking and envisioning a quick series en route to their first Conference Final appearance since 2004. 

But then, the wheels suddenly came off. The likes of Connor McDavid, Evander Kane, Zack Hyman and Ryan-Nugent Hopkins have been thorns in Calgary's sides ever since then, taking the next three straight games and now currently standing one win away from advancing. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has rarely resembled the Vezina Trophy candidate of the regular season and Round 1 series win over Dallas, while several of Calgary's top forwards have suddenly gone cold. 

It's a pivotal Game 5 tonight back in Calgary, where the Flames face no choice but to win in order to keep their season alive. But these words from head coach Darryl Sutter certainly won't be doing much to inspire his club. 

“It’s got nothing to do with effort or anything like that with any of our guys that haven’t been as productive after Game 1 in this series," he said. "But you have to give Edmonton credit in that too.”

"Maybe our guys are doing all that they can. Maybe Edmonton’s just a little bit better right now. That’s kind of been on the sideline. Nobody has talked about that. It’s always been about the negative. What about the good stuff that is going on?”

Yeah, that's certainly not something that you want to hear from your head coach when your backs are against the wall in a must-win situation, even if it could be true. 

Tonight's game will begin from the Saddledome starting at 9:30 PM EST.