[tkflames]

Based on the following list of goals the flames have scores to date...I will be looking to see if the first line makes adjustments today.

Dube: Quick cross ice pass on the power play (from Lucic)
Dube: Power Move
Raz: Slap shot from the top of the circle

Dube: In tight from wild bounce
Rieder: short handed breakaway
Forbort: Seeing eye shot from the point
Benny: Slap pass tip at the top of the blue paint (PP)

Backlund: Shorty power move
Brodie: point shot with traffic

As you can see from the above...the closest to a cross seam pass goal is the first one Dube scored on the power play with an ultra fast lucic one time pass and a power play. Dallas is putting up a wall at center and very effectively moves this up and down the ice. They have done this for a long time now. Low risk, give up nothing, wait for the opponents to make a mistake hockey and try to wear them down with low risk board play.

Our first line thrives at 5v5 on speed change. Come in fast let the opponent over skate and look for the cross seam or late trailer. They have tried the same strategy for 3 games and to be honest while being highly ineffective, it keeps Dallas honest on the matchups. I will be curious to see if they continue this strategy coming up as a 5 man unit or if the three (primarily Johnny) start driving wide (at the risk of getting hit) to get behind the net and either back hand pass out front near side, forehand pass out front or wrap around..or rim the puck far side like Tkachuck loves to do. Dallas would love nothing more than to catch Johnny in a vulnerable position, so perhaps it's time Monahan and Lindholm start carrying the puck to change the look.

3-1 series lead would be awesome...but not something I can recall the Flames having...so I have a hard time believing in it.