Just back from the game tonight. Hard to watch.
My takeaways:
- Russell had an abysmal game - numerous giveaways in front of the net.
- The Flames - pretty much every one in turn - got pushed off the puck too easily.
- They got - not schooled, but certainly outsmarted - by an older, more experienced and more patient team.
- Lundqvist, though not outstanding, was steady, great when he had to be, and quite focused. Ramo looked uncomfortable right from the first goal out. I'm surprised Hartley didn't pull him shortly after it - he seemed out of position, unsure of his plays and just never seemed in the game.
- As a group, the team was unaware. Too much thinking, too much overhandling of the puck, too much piddling around in their feet. And their passing was, mostly, poor.
- Monahan looked a bit lost, Jooris and Colborne both worked their butts off. Johnny was....OK. Hudler was steady and fun as always.
Oh yah - and the beer place was out of Keith's Red before the end of the first period. Wow, that just really set the night on edge for me.