Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
Again, they seem rattled in games vs. the Oilers for some reason, but I don't see the same thing against other teams.
I think this concern is overblown. Do they get thrown off their game when playing teams with whom they are jockeying for playoff positioning? I don't see it. This seems like a much more appropriate gauge to evaluate how they might perform against these SAME teams when the actual playoffs begin.
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While I tend to agree with your take about the potential playoff matchups, I think Troutman has a legitimate concern when he implies that there is something "off" about their collective ability to get "up" for games like the one last night. Granted, it was the second of a back-to-back, but still, a 2-0 lead did not suffice, when it should have.
My opinion is that only a handful of players on this team have a deep killer instinct--the desire to finish off a team when there's a chance to do so. Last night's loss stings more because it's the Oilers, but the reason the Flames haven't been able to seal-off leads in recent games is because of the powerplay. There just doesn't seem to be that sense of urgency to finish teams off when given the chance to, and the PP at 2-0 against Edmonton was a perfect example of what Troutman's talking about. In that situation, the players should be salivating at the chance to put in the dagger and crush the opponent's will. Instead, we get same-old-same-old, minimal possession, wrist-shots from the point off shinpads, and lost momentum.
The "getting up" for games includes the kind of swagger that Tkachuk possesses--the idea that YOU are going to set the tone and not let your opponent do so. While I know that this is not possible for every game, it should be apparent when you play your biggest rival, and it just isn't, like Troutman said.
Incidentally, the "for some reason" regarding the Oilers specifically seems to be that they've bought into the McDavid hype. Even the Sabres shut down McDavid by being physical with him, something only Giordano seemed willing to try yesterday. In many instances, the Flames were flat-footed/standing still in their defensive zone, watching the Oilers skate around with impunity. It's a similar vibe to that which they portrayed for all those games in Anaheim during that awful streak.