QOTD: What to make of game one - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bingo · 05-02-2015, 08:52 AM

Always amazes me how much the previous game dominates the image of a series.

The Flames felt like they were in trouble after games two and five of the Vancouver series, but rebounded to win the next game in the series.

Game one in Anaheim was a debacle, but what to make of it?

Locke · 05-02-2015, 08:55 AM

Nothing. Sometimes you have to forget the debacle and press on.

Caged Great · 05-02-2015, 08:56 AM

It was poor execution by the Flames coaching staff and the defense. They played Perry and Getzlaf like they were Sedins. Those two are similar in ways, but they are way more opportunistic than the Sedins. You saw that on the Perry goals where he didn't have a ton of space but he made the most of it and bam goals.

That doesn't mean that adjustments can't and won't be made. Game 2 is a complete different beast than game 1.

Enoch Root · 05-02-2015, 08:58 AM

It's a loss. Down 1-0

If they win game 2, they go home with a split and are in control of the series.

One of the most important things in the playoffs is the ability to forget a loss and move on.

The most important game is the next one.

Bingo · 05-02-2015, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caged Great

It was poor execution by the Flames coaching staff and the defense. They played Perry and Getzlaf like they were Sedins. Those two are similar in ways, but they are way more opportunistic than the Sedins. You saw that on the Perry goals where he didn't have a ton of space but he made the most of it and bam goals.

That doesn't mean that adjustments can't and won't be made. Game 2 is a complete different beast than game 1.

I agree for sure

But it can't be the coaching staff. I haven't had a water cooler conversation in six days without suggesting the key is to be ready to get positioning on Duck forwards that will drive to the crease. They won't stay on the outside like Canuck forwards.

Have to think the coaching staff said this.

It was almost the doing too much thing. Brodie trying to block a shot from the point and leaving his man behind him wide open.

But agreed, terrible execution.

Toonage · 05-02-2015, 09:00 AM

The game plan was poor. The Vancouver attack wasn't going to work and it caught up to them quickly. Even if Jooris scores on that breakaway I still think we see the same result. Change the plan, come out flying in Game 2.

trublmaker · 05-02-2015, 09:04 AM

hopefully that slap in the face of game one is all they need to wake up

Robo · 05-02-2015, 09:06 AM

the flames weren't ready they were still playing the strategy that was successful against the canucks. They need to use their speed and stay disciplined they may not win the next game but i suspect it will be closer .

dissentowner · 05-02-2015, 09:09 AM

We are overmatched, plain and simple. I love the Flames but let's be honest here, the Ducks are a team built to win a Cup now.

Ace · 05-02-2015, 09:15 AM

Best case the ducks now think it's going to be easy, and get caught off guard in game 2

heep223 · 05-02-2015, 09:16 AM

Ducks held serve in game 1 and Flames with a wake up call. Game 2 will be close.

Bingo · 05-02-2015, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

We are overmatched, plain and simple. I love the Flames but let's be honest here, the Ducks are a team built to win a Cup now.

I picked the Ducks in 5 so it's not a shock that they won game 1, I was surprised how bad they were.

I don't however think they played the Ducks the same way they played the Canucks that would be massively foolish of the coaching staff. (agreeing with you)

I think they came out watching, got on their heels, abandoned the new game plan completely, started running around, and got blown out.

I expect they'll be better, but that might not be enough.

transplant99 · 05-02-2015, 09:22 AM

I voted with the "flames weren't ready" category cause they certainly were not.

That being said, they are on the wrong side of all those choices if game 1 was any indication moving forward. Not a surprise at all and the fact they are in round 2 should be treated like a total season-long victory.

I just don't think they have any answers for that Perry/Getzlaf combo and unless the Flames top line (who ever that may be moving forward) can keep pace or in fact outscore the dynamic duo....the Flames are fodder in a quick series.

Huntingwhale · 05-02-2015, 09:24 AM

Flames simply didn't come out to play. They were intimidated and got pushed around easy. I think they will be better in game 2, but they are still in over their heads. It's going to take a miracle to win in that arena.

Sylvanfan · 05-02-2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

We are overmatched, plain and simple. I love the Flames but let's be honest here, the Ducks are a team built to win a Cup now.

I agree with you. The Flames run with three D whereas Anaheim have a much deeper group. Anaheim has been building this group for a few years and are at the point where it's their time to win. Calgary in reality is likely 2-3 more years away from being a real competitor.

Bingo · 05-02-2015, 09:37 AM

If I was Hartley I'd go completely the other way tactically ... drop the physical push to the game as they can't win that war.

Go back to that quick past transition game that had them on a roll in November. Speed, speed, speed.

Get the Ducks chasing and maybe they get worried and don't pinch as hard as a respect point to the speed.

I think its the only way they can win this series.

Oh and the Flames goaltender has to be better than Andersen

sa226 · 05-02-2015, 09:38 AM

In the playoffs, you finish your checks. Its that simple. But I hope they don't get caught trying to play a physical game with the Ducks, because they won't win that one. They have to use their speed and puck movement to make the Ducks play a transition game. It was clear the Ducks wan't to pound the defense. It worked, but that is a group of puck movers who should be able to counter it.

I think game one was a bit of an anomally, but I did notice that the neutral zone was much less contested than it was against Vancouver. The Ducks seemed to dare us to gain the zone and send it deep, where they fully intended to make us pay the price. The Flames like to use the Defense on cross zone plays as much as anyone in the league. Once we were set up, the high pressure on the D was so tight that the puck had to go deep. It was no surprise that the only guys who could get a down low cycle going were the bigger guys who could take a pounding and protect the puck. I think we need to get back to our bread and butter which is scoring off the rush.

My take of game one will depend on game two. If game two is more of the same, maybe marginally different, then we may have an indication of how this may go. We shouldn't be caught unprepared again. So we will see.

Top to bottom, we are outmatched by the Ducks. They are one of the top teams in the league, if not the top and they are dialed in playing playoff hockey.

But the Flames didn't get this far because they are better on paper than everybody else, they did it because they are well coached, they outwork the opposition, they bend but don't break and they just don't go away.

Realistically I don't think we have much hope winning this series especially with the personnel out of the line up and the hurt guys that are playing. But this team has not gone quietly all season. If they are going to go down, they will go down swinging (not literally)

Steve Bozek · 05-02-2015, 09:49 AM

Flames are overmatched. Don't think the next game will be as bad, and expect them to win at least one at home, but I think the Ducks are the eventual Cup winners. Would love to see the Flames meet Tampa in the SCFs, though.

sadora · 05-02-2015, 09:57 AM

Anything can happen in the playoffs and specially with these Flames. Game 1 could have been a number of things, being outmatched, not mentally prepared, outsized, but I don't think game 2 will be similar. I think the Flames find a way to get back into this series, whether by stealing game 2 or holding at home. The Ducks are by far much better opposition than the Canucks were, but these young guys have shown resiliency all season long and we will see that particular quality again.

Go Flames Go!!!!

sadora · 05-02-2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

Flames are overmatched. Don't think the next game will be as bad, and expect them to win at least one at home, but I think the Ducks are the eventual Cup winners. Would love to see the Flames meet Tampa in the SCFs, though.

Revenge would be sweet...but personally, I would prefer to see the Flames vs the Habs.