Quote:
Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN
What seems to be getting lost is the upward trend this team was heading into tonight and sure enough after a disappointing loss, more knee jerk reactions. But let's break it down from December to illustrate how they were turning a corner.
Dec 2-Deplorable effort, embarrassed on home ice to Edmonton. Comeback meant nothing. Tire fire of defence cotinued.
Dec 4-Come off a bad effort with another poor one at home to a Philly team coming in on a 10 game losing streak. Played better for much of the game, but lost in a short period of time in the second. Defence looked shaky again.
Dec 6 and 7-Two great effort in Toronto and montreal taking home 3 of 4 points and defence looked very strong.
Dec 9-Boring game versus Van until the final 10 mins and a nice comeback win. Defence didn't give up much.
Dec 12-Very good road game in Minnesota. If not for missed empty nets, Flames would have had 2 points but instead lost in shootout. Another solid defensive game.
Dec 14-Tight game versus division rival in San Jose. Defence looked good, but lost late in the third. Tough pill to swallow.
Dec 16-I don't care what anyone says, they deserved a lot more in that Nashville game. Out chanced them, 4 posts. Couldn't buy a goal. Defence didn't give up much.
Dec 17-Played a bad Vancouver team and beat them like they should have. Didn't give up anything.
Dec 20-2-1 win versus STL in a scoreline that flattered the Blues. Defence strong again.
The common theme leading up to tonight was how the defense has clearly turned a corner. It's absolutely undeniable.
Tonight's result is a step back in terms of effort, but it's not as though the Habs were peppering Smith all night. My point being that even with a poor effort(and it was really poor tonight), they have a system in place right now that is not giving many grade A scoring chances to the opposition. Go back and watch some of the first 15-20 games, it's night and day.
I put tonight on a lack of effort, but also a lack of focus. Plenty of distractions which is a bad excuse to have, but it's also the truth.
You throw this game tape out the window, focus on the defensive game that is turning this team around.
There are a lot of games left in this season. They lost one of those tonight, not 20.
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What upward trend? Were right about where we were 15 games into the season.
GG coaches teams to a boring, no emotion, .500 record. Actually under .500 with the flames if you don't count the 3 on 3 and shootout. He's a bad coach and I feel like Vancouver is laughing that we hired him.
Was his contract in Van up? Or did they let him out of his contract to sign with the flames? If they did that's what I would call a red flag.