[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

There were a lot of things to like about the way the Flames played last night but the thing I liked most (other than the way Backlund owned McDavid) was how much the defensemen were pinching. IMO, the 2 main reasons that they dominated zone time were that the defense played great in their own end, getting the puck out quickly, and they pinched all night, hemming the Oilers in.

We have talked about slow play a lot this year, and how they played fast last year, but reverted to playing slow this year. Well, last night was much better on that front - they moved the puck up ice very well.

And on a similar note (to the slow play), but something we haven't talked as much about this year, is the way the defense has been backing up - not pinching on the O-line, and giving up too much gap at the D-line. Last year, they pinched well, and controlled gaps well, so it is hard to understand why they have been so poor at those things this year.

However, last night was, IMO, the best the defense has played all year. They constantly held the Oilers in, creating so much extra zone time. If they continue to play like that, they will start to rack up the Ws.

This is not a loss to feel bad about as they played McDavid as well as they ever have 5 on 5. It's just one of those games where one player's poor decisions altered the outcome.