[belsarius]

Smith was outstanding, can't really fault him on either goal. Blown coverage and give McDavid enough break-aways and he will score. There did seem to be issues communication wise between him and the defensemen when moving the puck, the Flames just arn't used to a puck moving goalie.

I just don't understand the dump and chase strategy last night, that wasn't Flames hockey last year, and it was executed poorly. Slow dumps and no far side pressure made it very easy for the Oilers to move the puck out. I don't know that they were physically that much faster but positioning and transition was a whole level above what the Flames were playing at.

I would have liked to see some, any, changes or adjustments from the coaching staff. McDavid scored on the third line, the fourth line and empty net. As much as the first line generated no offense they really didn't let the Oilers first line generate much either. When Brodie keeps getting beat you have to switch up and have Gio shadow instead.

Tkachuk looked great behind the net but he always seemed to lack support, I didn't notice Frolik all night. Ferland needed to smash more instead of hanging out in the high slot and Johnny needs to attack those defencemen, not button hook for the pass 3 feet into the zone.. every. single. time. Oilers have a weak defense but the Flames made it easy on them. A positive note though is that I didn't feel worried once when McDavid was on the bench. They may have kept the Flames offense quiet but the bottom 3 lines didn't generate any either. In a game where the Flames looked so far behind, they still managed to make every other Oiler line a non-factor.

I am not one to pile on a player but I am over Brouwer. That give away with an extra player made me puke a little in my mouth. If you are not fast you need to be smart. If you are not smart you can be tough. Brouwer was none of these and just a flaming pylon last night.