IMO, the Flames ' problem with the Blues was all about getting off the boards and into the centre of the ice. That takes meat and muscle, not so much finesse. The smaller players on the Flames have problems doing that...and it cost them for much of the game. The Blues were VERY effective at keeping the Flames to the perimeter and shuffling the puck to the boards on a regular basis, as well as boxing out attempts to get to the middle. To their credit a couple of the Flames DID manage to work their way in front..just not often enough.
The few times they did manage to rush up the middle (I seem to recall a Backlund and Tkachuck rush through the D?) Binnington was there with a D-man to assist. Lousy bounces to be sure, but the Flames need to get in front of the net more...and they just don't do that on a habitual basis. Too many shots from too far out (one from outside the blue line!) just is not going to cut it in this league. If you can't get 5-15' in front of the net you're going to have problems when the going gets really tough.
To me, that is the overall biggest flaw in the Flames construction and execution. And it shows up every game they play against a generally bigger opponent.
I said to a pal about half-way through the third that it didn't look like the Flames were going to score - they had few dangerous opportunities to that point. Glad they did, but not so happy that they really didn't look "in the game" to that point.
But they got a good measuring stick as to what they need to do.
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