[Game Takes] Canucks 3 Flames 2 (OT)

[Bingo]

Game Takes:
Canucks 3 Flames 2

- Flames fail to put them away early
- Markstrom the difference
- Two more shorties

[IamNotKenKing]

champing at the bit

Well done!

[Bleeding Red]

Great write up, thanks BINGO!


Is anyone else concerned about the status of the power-play? The Flames sit at 14th, last night they went 0/5. I wonder how many other teams play 4 forwards and 1 d-man? And why is Ryan on the PP??



Peters blends regular lines like smoothies - why won't he change up the PP units?

[Strange Brew]

Thanks Bingo. The stats confirm what I saw. Flames dominated first 30 minutes but after that, I thought the Canucks were the better team. Not what we’re used to seeing.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Red

Great write up, thanks BINGO!


Is anyone else concerned about the status of the power-play? The Flames sit at 14th, last night they went 0/5. I wonder how many other teams play 4 forwards and 1 d-man? And why is Ryan on the PP??



Peters blends regular lines like smoothies - why won't he change up the PP units?

I am waiting to see Kylington and Andersson on the PP. Maybe last night wasn't the night in such a tight game, but Kylington is a dynamic offensive player that has the potential to blossom with the man advantage. Rasmus has a very nice shot that could be useful as well.

[Erick Estrada]

Of note with the Backlund linemate comparison is that Jankowski has the same amount of goals and is only 3 points back of Backlund despite a large disparity in ice time. Maybe Backlund himself is part of the 2nd line problem? He gets to play with Tkachuk already and we have seen Gaudreau and Monahan continue to score points over the years with a rotation at RW. Maybe in the offseason the team has to look at acquiring a 2nd line centre with more skill than Backlund who's trending into a 10-15 goal scorer which is suited to 3rd line center duty.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Of note with the Backlund linemate comparison is that Jankowski has the same amount of goals and is only 3 points back of Backlund despite a large disparity in ice time. Maybe Backlund himself is part of the 2nd line problem? He gets to play with Tkachuk already and we have seen Gaudreau and Monahan continue to score points over the years with a rotation at RW. Maybe in the offseason the team has to look at acquiring a 2nd line centre with more skill than Backlund who's trending into a 10-15 goal scorer which is suited to 3rd line center duty.

Jankowski has only Hathaway as worse in his own zone ... he's a tire fire when it comes to metrics. The eye test matches that.

In the game story I suggested maybe they get a guy to play center in their own zone so he can have more minutes without creating too much own zone terror.

[Sylvanfan]

With Jankowski you can see all the tools fora pretty enticing package. Big body who can skate in today's game is tough to find. Than add in that he seems to be good at face off's and flashes some skill. There is a really good third line center there, but I don't know if there's a second line guy. Maybe with better linemates some play making might come out

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

With Jankowski you can see all the tools fora pretty enticing package. Big body who can skate in today's game is tough to find. Than add in that he seems to be good at face off's and flashes some skill. There is a really good third line center there, but I don't know if there's a second line guy. Maybe with better linemates some play making might come out

Yeah he seems ideally suited for 3rd line as does Backlund which is why the Flames have secondary scoring issues. Neal was supposed to provide that but it hasn't worked out and Backlund's offensive numbers have been dropping over the past few seasons so Tkachuk is all alone as the sole 2nd line player on the team.

[transplant99]

I've been on the leave the 1st line alone train but im really leaning trying Lindholm on the 2nd line now.

Backlund simply isnt getting it done there anymore, and im fearful the last 2 seasons were his peak. Its glaringly obvious who drives that line and it isn't MB. Tkachuk has suffered there because of MB's regression as well. Backlund can still be used as a defensive shadow type guy against other teams best C, but Lindholm is no slouch in the 200' game either.

No reason not to try it as you can always go back to the standard top 2 lines.

It's interesting how Rittich has thrown a curve ball into the narrative of what this team needs to grow and become elite. A month ago it was goaltending goaltending goaltending. Now its looking very apparent they need another top 6 forward, preferably a C.

At least they have the assets to be in the conversation with teams though.

[Blaster86]

It was a good game. Pretty much what the Canucks have been doing all December. Ropeadope.

[sa226]

I think Backlund still makes players around him better.

But he does not drive the offence. I tend to agree that he is a very good player but a weaker 2nd line centre. I think that weakness can be insulated by excellent wingers. Tkachuk is one, but the revolving door of wingers on the other side is a bit of an issue.

Which leads me to my next point. I think Tkachuk is going to get paid regardless, but if wants to earn that ridiculous sum of money, he is going to need to be better 5 on 5. He needs to be the driver for that lines offence. Night in and night out. Lately he hasn't been.

Last night to me was a good example of what portion of the schedule we are entering. The dog days of winter. The run to Christmas is fun with teams finding out who they are and jostling for position, the stretch drive after the All Star break is a fun as we approach the playoffs. The in between part is a bit of a slog, teams are tightening up defensively but the extra jam to break through the tighter checking just isn't there yet.

Its too bad Czarnik hasn't panned out. He could have solved some issues with depth and deployment.

[Kasi]

I think January is looking pretty good for the schedule and opening up a lead on the division. After this next game against San Jose Boston is the best team the Flames are facing all month. (I guess Colorado is solid but we match up quite well against them) It's a very generous schedule and I hope the team takes advantage of it.

[GeoRock]

I enjoy reading these the following day. Thanks for your hard work, Bingo.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by sa226

I think Backlund still makes players around him better.

But he does not drive the offence. I tend to agree that he is a very good player but a weaker 2nd line centre. I think that weakness can be insulated by excellent wingers. Tkachuk is one, but the revolving door of wingers on the other side is a bit of an issue.

Which leads me to my next point. I think Tkachuk is going to get paid regardless, but if wants to earn that ridiculous sum of money, he is going to need to be better 5 on 5. He needs to be the driver for that lines offence. Night in and night out. Lately he hasn't been.

Last night to me was a good example of what portion of the schedule we are entering. The dog days of winter. The run to Christmas is fun with teams finding out who they are and jostling for position, the stretch drive after the All Star break is a fun as we approach the playoffs. The in between part is a bit of a slog, teams are tightening up defensively but the extra jam to break through the tighter checking just isn't there yet.

Its too bad Czarnik hasn't panned out. He could have solved some issues with depth and deployment.

I don't think Tkachuk skates well enough to be a line driver. It's why I would be a little cautious of overpaying him.