First game of the season, and not much prep going into it. I won't take too much out of this game. You expect a game like this considering the prior points, especially with the roster turnover. Lots of passes that didn't connect, unforced zone exits, missed reads, etc. Everyone seemed a bit scatter-brained out there tonight.
Things that I did like, however:
The transition seemed quicker.
Backlund was great.
Nordstrom looks like he will be a good Frolik replacement.
Mangiapane - Backlund - Bennett seemed like a great line - keep them together.
Things i didn't like:
Leivo didn't look very great. I am sure he isn't a tweener, but he looked it tonight. Deserves the benefit of the doubt at the moment, however.
The top line couldn't dictate anything tonight - Gaudreau kept falling.
I don't like Giordano - Andersson as a pair.
I don't like Andersson on the top PP unit either - but hopefully he improves there.
Just a jittery game without the benefit of a real camp + preseason to get their timing back, learn the system (it seems to have changed, unless it was just a symptom of playing a bit jittery), and to develop chemistry with the new players (and figure out who they play with).
I am glad that the Flames get those 5 days off after the next two games - hopefully they can make the necessary tweaks.
I also thought that Winnipeg seemed to make really good changes to how they decided to play the Flames - not only which line to start against the 4th line, but they changed their forecheck and it seemed to give the Flames fits. Ward didn't seem to have an answer to that in the 3rd - but again, given the lack of practice, it is tough to read too much into anything after tonight's game.
Just move onto the next one.
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