Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [PGT] Flames lose to Hurricanes 3-2

Classic_Sniper · 11-27-2022, 01:49 PM

Well that was quite an ugly end to the road trip. 3 consecutive, well deserved losses. Can’t say I’m surprised though, I didn’t expect 50 wins again from this roster. I wonder if this is probably what we’ll see the rest of the way, a team that makes winning look hard, sort of like the 2021 shortened year where it was a tough slog seemingly every game.

Now that we’re a quarter way through the season, I think there’s a big enough sample size to make some serious evaluations. The first one that I have noticed is the inconsistency in the way they check. Last year’s team played Darryl’s system almost perfectly whereas this team leaves a lot to be desired. I think that’s a big reason why they’re giving up more goals this season because their inability to check effectively especially in the offensive zone and through the middle of the ice has lead to more opportunities for the opposition to counter attack.

Secondly, there has hasn’t been enough consistent offensive traction throughout the lineup. Very much like the 2021 season, you never know what you’re going to get from game to game or even shift to shift. We don’t know which line is going to show up or not show up, it’s a complete guessing game compared to last season where there were at least 2 lines you could depend on each night. This type of inconsistency and lack of traction offensively just means it’ll be tough to count on a specific number of goals every night. If this is a 3-2 league, then it’s tough to consistently win when you don’t know if you’re getting 4 in one game or 1 the very next night.

Lastly, Jacob Markstrom. A quarter way through and he’s still sitting at a .889 save%. He’s making it very difficult for the guys in front of him to win when he’s spotting the opposition a goal seemingly every game. This team statistically has not scored at the same rate as last season, so that means Markstrom has to be even better than what he was a year ago, which clearly has not been the case. I get that the team has made his job a little more difficult as outlined by my first point, but this is a $6M goaltender here. He’s paid to be an elite goaltender and he has to better or this team doesn’t have a chance at making the playoffs.

11-27-2022, 01:49 PM	#207
Classic_Sniper #1 Goaltender Join Date: Jul 2008 Exp:	Well that was quite an ugly end to the road trip. 3 consecutive, well deserved losses. Can’t say I’m surprised though, I didn’t expect 50 wins again from this roster. I wonder if this is probably what we’ll see the rest of the way, a team that makes winning look hard, sort of like the 2021 shortened year where it was a tough slog seemingly every game. Now that we’re a quarter way through the season, I think there’s a big enough sample size to make some serious evaluations. The first one that I have noticed is the inconsistency in the way they check. Last year’s team played Darryl’s system almost perfectly whereas this team leaves a lot to be desired. I think that’s a big reason why they’re giving up more goals this season because their inability to check effectively especially in the offensive zone and through the middle of the ice has lead to more opportunities for the opposition to counter attack. Secondly, there has hasn’t been enough consistent offensive traction throughout the lineup. Very much like the 2021 season, you never know what you’re going to get from game to game or even shift to shift. We don’t know which line is going to show up or not show up, it’s a complete guessing game compared to last season where there were at least 2 lines you could depend on each night. This type of inconsistency and lack of traction offensively just means it’ll be tough to count on a specific number of goals every night. If this is a 3-2 league, then it’s tough to consistently win when you don’t know if you’re getting 4 in one game or 1 the very next night. Lastly, Jacob Markstrom. A quarter way through and he’s still sitting at a .889 save%. He’s making it very difficult for the guys in front of him to win when he’s spotting the opposition a goal seemingly every game. This team statistically has not scored at the same rate as last season, so that means Markstrom has to be even better than what he was a year ago, which clearly has not been the case. I get that the team has made his job a little more difficult as outlined by my first point, but this is a $6M goaltender here. He’s paid to be an elite goaltender and he has to better or this team doesn’t have a chance at making the playoffs.