[Game Takes] Leafs 2 Flames 0

[Bingo]

Game Takes: Leafs 2 Flames 0

- Terrible first for the Flames, but they keep it close and interesting
- Sutter scrambles lines, benches Leivo and Dube
- Lots of iron for Rittich but he does his job

[nieuwy-89]

Great breakdown of the goaltending situation.

To me the three big surprises of the Flames season to date are:
- complete collapse of offensive chemistry and confidence
- emergence of Hanifin-Tanev as the team’s best pair
- average goaltending despite the huge investment in that position

The average goaltending of Markstrom-Rittich has been tough to take considering how solid the Oilers duo of losers has been.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Good write up

I would agree that Lindholm looked really flat tonight.

And I hope Darryl teaches his linemate Tkachuk how to body check. What is this rolling with his back to guys? Is he looking to see who is watching him be a really lazy forechecker?

Also agree on Tanev, he has been steady and pairs well with Hanifin

[DeluxeMoustache]

Also agree with being surprised by them keeping Ritchie with Monahan and Gaudreau

It’s getting to the point of being awkward. Sutter wants to reward Ritchie for the effort, and going about things the right way. Which makes sense. But he’s just not good. At least he kept him to 12 minutes

Leivo and Dube are obviously much better players and it was clearly message sending time, with 4:59 and 6:06 respectively. Hopefully we see better games from them in Ottawa

[Erick Estrada]

Yeah Ritchie is not working on that line and it's painful to watch. I was also surprised that Sutter kept that combination together given how bad Ritchie was the night before. I don't mind Dube getting tough love as he's been a bit of a disappointment this season and that weak one handed effort at the end of a period where the Flames were weathering the storm was a key moment in the game leading to the Leafs first goal which ended up being the game winner.

[Strange Brew]

There is lots of time for Markstrom to work out. But as we all know, signing 30 year+ UFA’s to long term contracts is a hell of a risky strategy. It’s the price of being unable to develop goalies internally, or lacking the organizational assets to trade for a younger goalie.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

There is lots of time for Markstrom to work out. But as we all know, signing 30 year+ UFA’s to long term contracts is a hell of a risky strategy. It’s the price of being unable to develop goalies internally, or lacking the organizational assets to trade for a younger goalie.

Also, isn’t 6x6 some kind of cursed contract structure?