Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [GDT] Flames vs Rangers, 7:00 PM, MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

Calgary4LIfe · 03-02-2018, 10:45 AM

I don't mind that 4th line to be honest (which isn't a popular opinion).

I do think that Lazar - Stajan - Brouwer is a decent 4th line and I wish that was the one playing tonight. Better offensively, good defensively... not much to complain about with the way those 3 have been playing.

However, now it is a traditional energy/physical line. I don't mind Glass - he hits hard and keeps guys honest out there. That can sometimes give a team a shot in the arm, bring them into the game a bit more. Hathaway belongs on the 4th line IMO. I can't say I hate it.

What I do hate is the 3rd line. Brouwer has been playing better, but to me, he really is only a 'defensive' guy at this point. I am still hopeful that Stewart goes on one of his little mini scoring rampages - if that happens tonight, then great... but he needs to be better along the boards. I don't mind when the puck is on his stick, as I think he makes some really good plays, but the biggest hole in his game from this short sample size of really looking at him is on the forecheck. If I am Gulutzan, I am getting Tkachuk, Ferland and Bennett to do drills against him along the boards and teach this behemoth of a scary dude how to win a board battle (and stay on your feet). I think I just realized why he is underwhelming given his speed, his soft hands and ability to score.

Hopefully the Flames light up the Rangers. These games are such trap games - one team struggling to keep up with the pack and position themselves in the playoffs, but playing a non-conference team that just blew it up. That Rangers team is playing loose and relaxed. Probably young guys hyped up to show their organization that they are ready for the NHL, older vets trying to show the same organization that they are not ready to have their careers end.

At the end of the day, the Flames aren't going to steamroll everyone left. What they do need to do is increase their intensity level and come out for every game as if it was the Stanely Cup final. You want a chance to win that cup, come out mentally prepared and physically engaged to play for it starting NOW.

03-02-2018, 10:45 AM	#33
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I don't mind that 4th line to be honest (which isn't a popular opinion). I do think that Lazar - Stajan - Brouwer is a decent 4th line and I wish that was the one playing tonight. Better offensively, good defensively... not much to complain about with the way those 3 have been playing. However, now it is a traditional energy/physical line. I don't mind Glass - he hits hard and keeps guys honest out there. That can sometimes give a team a shot in the arm, bring them into the game a bit more. Hathaway belongs on the 4th line IMO. I can't say I hate it. What I do hate is the 3rd line. Brouwer has been playing better, but to me, he really is only a 'defensive' guy at this point. I am still hopeful that Stewart goes on one of his little mini scoring rampages - if that happens tonight, then great... but he needs to be better along the boards. I don't mind when the puck is on his stick, as I think he makes some really good plays, but the biggest hole in his game from this short sample size of really looking at him is on the forecheck. If I am Gulutzan, I am getting Tkachuk, Ferland and Bennett to do drills against him along the boards and teach this behemoth of a scary dude how to win a board battle (and stay on your feet). I think I just realized why he is underwhelming given his speed, his soft hands and ability to score. Hopefully the Flames light up the Rangers. These games are such trap games - one team struggling to keep up with the pack and position themselves in the playoffs, but playing a non-conference team that just blew it up. That Rangers team is playing loose and relaxed. Probably young guys hyped up to show their organization that they are ready for the NHL, older vets trying to show the same organization that they are not ready to have their careers end. At the end of the day, the Flames aren't going to steamroll everyone left. What they do need to do is increase their intensity level and come out for every game as if it was the Stanely Cup final. You want a chance to win that cup, come out mentally prepared and physically engaged to play for it starting NOW.