Quote:
Originally Posted by polak
They looked good for half the game last night and looked good all game against the Wings, but there still hasn't been a game where the Flames looked like the better team or the team in control.
What signs are you seeing?
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PP looks a lot better even though they have nothing to show for it. Similarly the PK looks great even though it's gotten scored on. They're skating a lot better, making better passes. Most importantly, they seem to be playing with emotion and intensity again. Backcheck and forecheck both look night and day better than the first 5 or 6 games, particularly the forecheck. Few players (Frolik, Bennett, Jooris, Backlund, Monahan) have had a number of quality chances but puck has been rolling, or goalie made a great save, or barely missed the net. Team pushes and pushes with momentum, and then the one defensive gaffe is in the back of their net. Goaltending has been deflating momentum when the team looks like they're going to score.
Just IMO of course, that typically at the end of a losing streak the team starts playing better but is still losing. Ditto as a sign that a winning streak could be ending, the team starts playing less well but is still winning.
For me the real x-factor right now is goaltending. If Ortio can provide some stability, I actually think the Flames are poised for a winning streak.