I think people are getting a little carried away by the optics of it. You don't win a lot of hockey games by scoring two goals if you're one of the worst, if not THE worst defensive team in the league. It's just not going to happen.
Yes, it's clear that Berra could have been better in the 3rd. Then again nobody would have blamed him if we had entered the 3rd tied, because there were certainly enough quality shots that he caught in the first two periods.
Yes, he seems to also get nervous in the 3rd. I don't see it as such a big deal, his results are still okay overall, and that's absolutely something that should get better with experience. Pretty much everything about his game looks like it's fixable. Honestly, he looks like he's had some rather ####ty goaltending coaching previously in his career. Doesn't mean it will all get fixed, but when you look at how many problems he has in his game, and the results he is already getting despite those problems, I can absolutely see why the Flames want to give this guy a lot of attention.
That said, it might even do him some good to let Rämö soak up a couple of losses for a change. Don't let him feel like he's the reason their losing these games.
Also, the Blackhawks are not good but damned amazing when they get their game going. Their cycle is crazy, everybody moves so well, there's so much determination and skill, and they end up getting shots from everywhere. They're exactly the kind of team that makes both the defense and the opposing goalie look worse than they are.
On the positive side: I think our teams defensive game was pretty good today overall. It kind of started to collapse in the end, but they had long very good stretches where they were better organized and more relaxed than what has generally been the case this season: A step in the right direction certainly, although it's clear they are losing some offense as a trade-off.
Random comments on individual players:
- Still liking Smid, nice upgrade over O'Brien.
- If Monahan is money, Hudler is what? Gold?
- Damn I would have wanted to see McGrattan get on that breakaway
- Stajan, Bouma are making themselves easy to love right now. Both are playing with a ton of heart.
- It's a small miracle Cammalleri is getting chances at all, the way every opposing team is ganging up on him right now. We could really use some more offensive threats to take the pressure off. On that note...
- It's getting tough to see how David Jones has ever scored a goal in his life. He's losing every race for the puck and his size isn't making much of a difference. Started the season looking much better, maybe it's the injury that's bugging him?
- Oh Baertchi. It would be so nice to say that he's playing so well, but he needs to get better results. A good hussle, but just not getting it done.
- I wish we could get Butler out of the lineup.
- Blair Jones is a nice upgrade over Jackman.
- Mikael Backlund has now had a FO% of 60+ in 4 out of last 5 games
