Quote:
Originally Posted by dammage79
Seems to me the sliding tile puzzle that is this edition of the Calgary Flames has a pretty complete picture in regards to goaltending and defense. Aside from the early struggles of gio I think we are all pretty happy with the defense corps and goaltending.
What the problem is is a massive gapping hole in the forward picture. I'm wondering if the cost/benefit of putting Lindholm at center is a net negative for the balance of the forward grouping. It's good for Lindholm, he is doing perfectly well there and capable, but it's putting other players in a weakened position down the line up. And putting far inferior players into higher positions than needed.
Putting Lindholm back on RW with the Johnny and Monny puts Tkachuk and Backlund back together with Mangi. That was successful.
Gives Bennett and Dube a chance at 3rd line success together and puts the spare parts where they should be on the filler spots outside of the top 6 fw group.
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IMO Lindholm doesn't touch puck enough with Johnny and Monny. I really think Tkachuk is playing through something because he and Lindy were fantastic to start season. He is great with the puck and needs to have it. He needs to play centre. Tkachuk Lindholm was working and will work.
Backlund and Mangiapane need to get consistent. But mostly the entire team needs to stop giving the puck away. Sure fire clean exits that should have them on the attack are instead keeping them defending and hemmed in. Tkachuk on the wall has been bad for that. Defencemen with puck on their sticks in their own zone just hand to the opposition. Can not do that.
The players are not sticking the game plan. They are not transitioning fast enough against 1-2-2 teams and are getting pushed outside - they don't get the middle on consistent basis. The team does not play fast enough. Too much hesitation.
How many incredible saves has Markstrom had to make to bail them out. It could be a lot worse if it wasn't for Markstrom.
Goal scoring will be streaky - but it's team play that has to be consistent and what you can rely on. So far it has not. I think we see good analytics because they are getting shots through but not enough compete for second chances or getting inside to get really dangerous. Good PP has gone cold. Simple execution (like not getting dump in blocked) is not happening. WTF?!
Team play, work ethic and compete are sub standard and it's tough to watch