[Game Takes] Canucks 2 Flames 1 (SO)

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2016/10/g...2-flames-1-so/

[Sample00]

Now that was a great article. Thank you! I only saw bits and pieces of the game last night and after reading the PGT, one would think the world was coming to an end. Good to get an objective view point.

[belsarius]

Good write-up. I thought after reading the PGT I was on crazy pills seeing some positives.

I thought Johnson did great, Miller did better. I saw some really good opportunites by the Flames stymied by good goaltending. I don't think it was all dom and gloom on the offense. I think we saw something more like GG's system tonight, good puck pressure, holding out blueline and making Vancouver work for every inch. The game tying play where the first line got trapped and tired out I think can be blamed a lot on the 3rd game in 4 nights. It may be early in the season and they should be fresh but it also means they aren't quite in game shape yet and I think the rested Canucks took advantage of it.

First line still looks out of joint but it was good to see the fire in Gaudreau in the third and some sparks of what to expect soon. I was happy with the line shuffling and thought Ferland was having a strong game early and deserved the move to Bennett's line. I also didn't take it as a shot against Tkachuk who I thought played another good game for a rookie. Make smart decisions with the puck, still got PP time and I thought him and Chaisson really made that fourth line effective, Stajan however I would rather see replaced with Hamilton.

Backlund and Frolik still looking good. Versteeg has been very meh to me as have Gio and Brodie. Not as dominate as they have been in the past. Kulak looked comfortable and Dougie was able to get some offensive chances and probably a goal if Miller wasn't on. Engelland in these first three games has really changed my opinion of him, he may not be as good as Regher in his prime but thats the role he is filling right now and I think he is doing a great job at it, best defenseman on the team at doing his role.

I really liked what I saw system wise, the players need more time to gel for everything to become effective and some days off and practice should do that. Training camp ended up a waste and unfortunately these three games are how it should have ended. Less concerned about the team this year after tonight than after game 1.

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by belsarius

Good write-up. I thought after reading the PGT I was on crazy pills seeing some positives.

I thought Johnson did great, Miller did better. I saw some really good opportunites by the Flames stymied by good goaltending. I don't think it was all dom and gloom on the offense. I think we saw something more like GG's system tonight, good puck pressure, holding out blueline and making Vancouver work for every inch. The game tying play where the first line got trapped and tired out I think can be blamed a lot on the 3rd game in 4 nights. It may be early in the season and they should be fresh but it also means they aren't quite in game shape yet and I think the rested Canucks took advantage of it.

First line still looks out of joint but it was good to see the fire in Gaudreau in the third and some sparks of what to expect soon. I was happy with the line shuffling and thought Ferland was having a strong game early and deserved the move to Bennett's line. I also didn't take it as a shot against Tkachuk who I thought played another good game for a rookie. Make smart decisions with the puck, still got PP time and I thought him and Chaisson really made that fourth line effective, Stajan however I would rather see replaced with Hamilton.

Backlund and Frolik still looking good. Versteeg has been very meh to me as have Gio and Brodie. Not as dominate as they have been in the past. Kulak looked comfortable and Dougie was able to get some offensive chances and probably a goal if Miller wasn't on. Engelland in these first three games has really changed my opinion of him, he may not be as good as Regher in his prime but thats the role he is filling right now and I think he is doing a great job at it, best defenseman on the team at doing his role.

I really liked what I saw system wise, the players need more time to gel for everything to become effective and some days off and practice should do that. Training camp ended up a waste and unfortunately these three games are how it should have ended. Less concerned about the team this year after tonight than after game 1.

Totally agree with this post, except for the bolded part. The top line was getting hemmed in their own end by the Canucks top line all game. What has been concerning to me is that the opposition so far (albeit only two teams) has chosen to match up their top line vs. our top line....and that strategy has worked with our top line losing that battle. JG has been held pointless on the road again..though I agree that he played pretty well in the second period.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

Totally agree with this post, except for the bolded part. The top line was getting hemmed in their own end by the Canucks top line all game. What has been concerning to me is that the opposition so far (albeit only two teams) has chosen to match up their top line vs. our top line....and that strategy has worked with our top line losing that battle. JG has been held pointless on the road again..though I agree that he played pretty well in the second period.

I thought that series specifically all 5 players looked gassed and were unable to chase the puck and ended up in the net however it is a fair point too that our first line has been over matched every game, they are just not gelling or looking organized. Obvious they haven't had any practices together so I am not ready to be overly concerned.. yet. Would rather see Brower or Chaisson than Versteeg at this point.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

Totally agree with this post, except for the bolded part. The top line was getting hemmed in their own end by the Canucks top line all game. What has been concerning to me is that the opposition so far (albeit only two teams) has chosen to match up their top line vs. our top line....and that strategy has worked with our top line losing that battle. JG has been held pointless on the road again..though I agree that he played pretty well in the second period.

I actually thought the top line had moments last night where they looked okay, and I also recall thinking through the first 2.5 periods that the Sedins were completely invisible.

I agree with belsarius. The top line is understandably not game-ready. They will be fine.

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I actually thought the top line had moments last night where they looked okay, and I also recall thinking through the first 2.5 periods that the Sedins were completely invisible.

I agree with belsarius. The top line is understandably not game-ready. They will be fine.

I thought GG did a good job of getting the top line away from the sedins last night. However, when the sedins were lined up against our top line...our top line consistently had problems. Ditto for the two games against edmonton. The backlund line needs to be up against the opposition's top line right now for the team to be effective.

I do agree that JG and SM will be fine though. I just thought it was interesting how the opposition views the matchup.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

I thought GG did a good job of getting the top line away from the sedins last night. However, when the sedins were lined up against our top line...our top line consistently had problems. Ditto for the two games against edmonton. The backlund line needs to be up against the opposition's top line right now for the team to be effective.

I do agree that JG and SM will be fine though. I just thought it was interesting how the opposition views the matchup.

Yeah, you are right about that. I have been extremely impressed by Backlund and Frolik in the first three games. Backlund has looked amazing.

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Yeah, you are right about that. I have been extremely impressed by Backlund and Frolik in the first three games. Backlund has looked amazing.

I really do believe that they are going to be the premier shutdown (forward) tandem in the league (if they're not already). There's just so much chemistry between them.

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by belsarius

I thought that series specifically all 5 players looked gassed and were unable to chase the puck and ended up in the net however it is a fair point too that our first line has been over matched every game, they are just not gelling or looking organized. Obvious they haven't had any practices together so I am not ready to be overly concerned.. yet. Would rather see Brower or Chaisson than Versteeg at this point.

I've been pleasantly surprised with Chaisson. After a pretty terrible pre-season, he's played pretty well thus far. Not sure if I like him on the top line though...

Brouwer needs to play with Bennett IMO. However, if the top line can't pull it together soon, I wouldn't be surprised if JG was slotted with both and Monahan drops down with Tkachuk...if anything, to try and create a spark.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

I've been pleasantly surprised with Chaisson. After a pretty terrible pre-season, he's played pretty well thus far. Not sure if I like him on the top line though...

Brouwer needs to play with Bennett IMO. However, if the top line can't pull it together soon, I wouldn't be surprised if JG was slotted with both and Monahan drops down with Tkachuk...if anything, to try and create a spark.

I'm honestly not sure how well he would do on the top line either, but in these first three games with limited ice-time I am finding myself seeing him everytime he steps on the ice. He is forechecking hard, getting to the front of the net and full of energy.. can he translate that from 8 mins a night to 16? I don't know, but I think his effort should at least get him a look at one of the higher lines.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Yeah, you are right about that. I have been extremely impressed by Backlund and Frolik in the first three games. Backlund has looked amazing.

Backlund is just carrying on from his World Tourney. For a guy who wasn't originally picked, he turned out to be one of their best forwards.

Thanks everybody for giving me a realistic run down of the game as the power went out half way through.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Yeah, you are right about that. I have been extremely impressed by Backlund and Frolik in the first three games. Backlund has looked amazing.

Browser too IMO. Hopefully they continue to play well with once the top line gets it together.