[Demetric]

Originally Posted by New Era

Overall a really good game by the Flames. Still some real stinker performances out there. The guys that stood out in my viewing as being quite poor were 1) Tkachuk 2) Gaudreau 3) Nesterov.

Tkachuk was the worst player on the ice by a good margin. Did nothing out there and didn't look like his GAF meter was very high. This may not be the coach or team for him. Sutter plays an up tempo pressure game all the time, and Tkachuk has been a guy to disappear under pressure. He's been all talk, so its time for him to back up his yappin' with some top end play where the team needs it. Last night was not a good start and I believe Sutter's reference to the line he couldn't put out there was Tkachuk's.

Gaudreau made a few nice plays but was MIA for most of the night. Monahan and Ritchie bought into the north south game and were engaging in contact, but Gaudreau was still blowing snow at every opportunity and peeling away from getting engaged. He doesn't look comfortable out there and hasn't for quite some time. No where near as bad as Tkachuk, but not a great start for Johnny Hockey.

Nesterov was the weak link on the blueline. The problem with his game is he just holds the puck waaaaay too long. He's gotta move the puck quicker. The only times the Habs got sustained pressure, and their goal, was then Nesterov was out there. He just doesn't react quickly once he gets the puck and he makes weak plays with the puck.

For a Flames team that has been dog #### most of the season, and it was difficult to single out three guys for quality play, the fact there were only three guys that stood out for mediocre to poor play is a fantastic change. Take this one and build on it Saturday night. Two wins in a row would be the beginning of a streak they badly need.

I disagree with most of this. drawing way too many conclusions from a single game.