[Game Takes] Flames 3 Oilers 1

[Bingo]

Game Takes: Flames 3 Oilers 1

- Markstrom rock solid after iffy one to Neal
- Nesterov goes beast mode against public enemies
- Lindholm two goals
- Tkachuk two assists
- big two points

[drewtastic]

Great write-up!

[DeluxeMoustache]

Great write up. I too liked Tkachuk’s game tonight

Hopefully he and Markstrom get dialed in for a few games here!

[Strange Brew]

I got a kick out of the PBP guy too.

The call on Dube's goal was memorable. "rammed it home in the backdoor".

Happy for the W but would it kill us for the top forwards to have a good game at the same time?

Lindy and Tkachuk had excellent games.

Meanwhile Gaudreau with zero SOG and I'm pretty sure Monahan was healthy scratched. Not sure TBH.

[Enoch Root]

Tkachuk's best game in a long time.

[Textcritic]

The one thing that bugged me about Jack Michaels's call last night was all the off-hand quips about missed penalty calls on the Oilers: "...missed a call there"; "...no call"; "...looking for a call", and so forth.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I got a kick out of the PBP guy too.

...I'm pretty sure Monahan was healthy scratched. Not sure TBH.

I only watched the first and third periods, and I tried to pay more attention to Monahan. It really seemed that he was in defence mode. He stayed back a bit more, didn’t go deep in the offensive zone. I am wondering if this is something he was told to do to help neutralize the Oilers speed (since he is not the fastest one out there)

[ricardodw]

The Canadiens play their last game May 12.

The Leafs play their last game May 14. That is the last game of the NHL season not featuring the Canucks

The Flames have 4 games left with Vancouver after the Canadiens season is over

The Flames play 3 games before the Canadiens finish the season. If the Flames sweep Edm, wpg and Ott. They would have 53 points.

The Habs have killer schedule between today and March 12. 8 games in 13 days Wpg, Ott twice, Toronto 3 times and finish with Edmonton twice.

The Toronto 3 games and the Edmonton 2 are looking to be meaningless in the standings for Edmonton and Toronto having 2nd and 1st locked down.

Montreal getting 8 pts in their last 8 games would give them 59 pts.

That would leave the Flames needing 6 pts out of their last 4 games with Vancouver to make the playoffs.

Would the league hold the start of the playoffs until the Flames get ahead of Montreal in the standing?

Or would the NHL let Edm-Wpg and the US teams start the playoffs and make Toronto sit idle while waiting to see who they play?

What sort of time off would the Flames get before they start the Playoffs?

The Flames finish back to back with the Canucks on the 18th and 19th.

Given the schedule the NHL forced on Vancouver I can't imaging that they would delay the playoff start past the 21st should the Flames qualify.

Would they make the Flames Canucks play their last 4 games with the playoffs going on if Montreal clinches by the end of their season?

[Strange Brew]

14 sentences.

14 paragraphs.

[nieuwy-89]

Originally Posted by ah123

I only watched the first and third periods, and I tried to pay more attention to Monahan. It really seemed that he was in defence mode. He stayed back a bit more, didn’t go deep in the offensive zone. I am wondering if this is something he was told to do to help neutralize the Oilers speed (since he is not the fastest one out there)

I also paid attention to Monahan. I know there was criticism of him the GT and PGT, but I actually thought he had a good game.

He was very aware and played well in the defensive zone. Good positioning, head on a swivel, active stick. In the neutral zone he carried the puck with speed a few times and had no issues gaining the blue line or getting the puck behind the Oilers defence. He's been doing this way better since they split him up with Johnny. His offensive game was quiet, but he won his battles in the offensive zone more often than not. Didn't generate a ton, but overall I thought he had a good game.

I think Sutter is trying to mould him into a more complete player. Last's nights game is a good example of a guy having a quiet, but effective night.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

I also paid attention to Monahan. I know there was criticism of him the GT and PGT, but I actually thought he had a good game.

He was very aware and played well in the defensive zone. Good positioning, head on a swivel, active stick. In the neutral zone he carried the puck with speed a few times and had no issues gaining the blue line or getting the puck behind the Oilers defence. He's been doing this way better since they split him up with Johnny. His offensive game was quiet, but he won his battles in the offensive zone more often than not. Didn't generate a ton, but overall I thought he had a good game.

I think Sutter is trying to mould him into a more complete player. Last's nights game is a good example of a guy having a quiet, but effective night.

Offensively I thought he carried the puck well, he dished it fine (like a centre should). He prevented a few Oiler exits and recovered a few pucks on the offensive zone. Mangiapane had a bit of an off night (one really horrific turnover) and Ritchie was just bad.

Defensively the line was fine.

[JohnnyBeGood]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

14 sentences.

14 paragraphs.

I demand a recount!

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Offensively I thought he carried the puck well, he dished it fine (like a centre should). He prevented a few Oiler exits and recovered a few pucks on the offensive zone. Mangiapane had a bit of an off night (one really horrific turnover) and Ritchie was just bad.

Defensively the line was fine.

Yeah I wouldn't say Monahan was "thwarted" by Ritchie, but Ritchie did turn the puck over or have plays die on his stick often.

Man Mangiapane needs to size up who the other shooter is and take that shot in the first.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

I also paid attention to Monahan. I know there was criticism of him the GT and PGT, but I actually thought he had a good game.

He was very aware and played well in the defensive zone. Good positioning, head on a swivel, active stick. In the neutral zone he carried the puck with speed a few times and had no issues gaining the blue line or getting the puck behind the Oilers defence. He's been doing this way better since they split him up with Johnny. His offensive game was quiet, but he won his battles in the offensive zone more often than not. Didn't generate a ton, but overall I thought he had a good game.

I think Sutter is trying to mould him into a more complete player. Last's nights game is a good example of a guy having a quiet, but effective night.

No doubt he is trying to make him more complete and there is some success.

But a 200 foot game requires some output in the offensive zone too and we're just not seeing enough. His defensive game isn't near the level it should be to make up for a lack of offense IMO. Sean Monahan isn't shutting anyone down.

It's great he can carry the puck and all but he is a $6 million plus player. Not a 3rd round pick trying to show he belongs in the NHL.

Let's face it, the Oiler big guns were pretty sleepy last night and that's a team you're going need to score against to win more often than not.