[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Rando

Apologies if my formatting is off, or if this seemed a bit jumbled. Made this post over the course of an hour doing other things, back and forth from the computer as well.



So it's tough to look at the games were the Flames were shut out, it's only happened four times this season, such a short sample size. Regardless we'll look at those three first.



November 23rd vs Vegas; Lost 2-0

Gaudreau had 4 shots

Monahan had 2 shots

Lindholm had 3 shots



Now I don't recall this being a particularly tight checking game, both teams were just under 30 shots a peice., with the Flames having 13 in the third period alone. Obviously the stats don't look good when no goals are scored obviously but still, didn't seem tight checking and the top line lead the way in chances.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x20LmNoixU



Next shutout was December 9th vs the Oilers.. ugh 1-0 Edmonton

Gaudreau had 5 shots

Monahan had 4 shots

Lindholm had zero



Shots seem average, 30-24 in favor of Edmonton but the top line didn't seem to suffer in a low scoring shutout loss. They had nine shots between two players and just didn't capitalize.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIePo-DkP-4



Third shutout loss of the season was 18th of December vs Dallas

Monahan zero shots

Lindholm two shots

Gaudreau three shots



Flames mustered a measly 24 shots against the Stars. This is probably more inline with what you're saying.. but is that a surprise? Is our top line any different from other teams? You don't score any goals you probably don't look so hot.



Fourth and last is March 7th vs Coyotes



Gaudreau two shots

Monahan zero shots

Lindholm zero shots



Yeah, this was an ugly game. Ugly all around.



Think you're 2/4 two of them they were shut down, but the other half no.. they had plenty of chances just stonewalled.



But how come we're only looking at tight checking losses?



What about the 2-1 win vs the Devils last month? top line combines for four points in two goals.

What about the 3-1 win the Islanders the previous night? Top line combined for four points out of the three goals for.



Conclusion? You need a whole bunch more data, tight checking wins and losses for the Flames. Then compare it to those low scoring games other top players are involved in if you want to label our guys as not showing up in these types of games.



I dunno, just not seeing what you're seeing. Monahan isn't playing great, in a funk but he's hardly a guy that checks out in big or tight checking games, no sir.

Wow, that’s some in-depth research you did there, props. But you’re putting words in my mouth here, I never said Monahan checks out in big or tight games.

The main point I’m making is that, the top line is outstanding in games where they have a lot of time and space, especially in the neutral zone where they score at will on the rush. But they struggle to maintain the same level when the league tightens up and the neutral zone is taken away. Regardless of what those shots totals say, there’s a lot of similarities to what I’m seeing now and what I saw in those games you mentioned above.

Less than 2 months ago, Monahan was sitting in the top 10 in scoring, now he’s 24th. This doesn’t feel like a funk to me at all, it looks more like they’re having a tough time producing when they’re not in transition. What I would like to see from this line is for them to get greasier and win more puck battles like the 3M line the Ryan line is doing right now to generate their scoring chances. Scoring off the rush is difficult to do in the playoffs, so adapting is important and I just haven’t seen that from the top line right now and so yes, there is some concern.


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