Still sucks in the morning...
However, at least it was nice to see that the Flames responded really well after game 1. They were unquestionably the better skating team in game 2, and for most of game 3 made Anaheim look like a bunch of has-been's who have no business being on the same ice.
Good teams find a way to win, and often a young team goes through growing pains trying to learn this.
It was still deflating goaltending, and a run of bad luck that really destroyed the Flames' hope. We at least all saw what this team CAN be capable of, and this is still a young team that should be improving.
No idea how they come out for game 4. I hope they come out like they did last night. Give it their all. The series isn't over until it is over, but this is essentially the closest you come to without it being official. I at least want to see the character of this team shine through and put in a very hard effort.
As for all the Gaudreau talk, this isn't on him. He had moments where he was really good, moments where he wasn't. Monahan was very impressive I thought - his best consecutive games as a Flame. With the exception of Versteeg, nobody upped their game more than he did. Bennett I felt got better and better as well. Ferland was a beast, but a snakebitten one unfortunately.
Flames just need to have more guys take that proverbial step and give more support and more options for this team when opposing teams focus-in on Gaudreau. I have said it in the past, but Monahan will be the most important forward on this team, and it will be him that stirs the drink. Bennett will improve, and if he ever comes close to reaching that potential he has, this team is going to be so difficult to handle.
Ducks were bigger, dirtier, and more experienced, yet it has really been the Flames that have imposed their will physically, at least outside of the first game.
Those are the positives.
I don't want to drag Elliott through the mud here, but this team will look beastly as is with a more consistent goaltender. That will change a lot, and hopefully add a bit more of that swagger, that resiliency that the 2015 version had in spades. It was never about being 'unsustainable'. It was a heck of a lot of moxy. I think they will get a lot of that back with a quality, reliable goaltender that plays all year consistently.
One thing I am personally looking forward to next game is Bennett beating Kesler up. It is coming I think.
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