[Game Takes] Flames 3 Leafs 1

[Bingo]

Flames 3 Leafs 1

Sorry for the delay gang, was too wiped to write last night.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Flames 3 Leafs 1

Sorry for the delay gang, was too wiped to write last night.

I can't imagine what took up a lot of energy for you yesterday.

[CroFlames]

Great write up. Johnny I think deserves a mention for strong defensive play that game; he had contributed away from the puck.



This comparison is pretty offensive though. You should deliver your message in a gentler way.

To date on the season Hanifin’s splits with and without Hamonic are startling.
Without Hamonic – 44% CF% / 38% Scoring Chances / 35% high danger split
With Hamonic – 67% CF% / 71% Scoring Chances / 79% high danger split

[DeluxeMoustache]

Good write up, Bingo

(Why the recent trend asking Bingo to change his messaging when presenting stats? Fact is they show very different numbers based on partner, and startling is an apt description. I wasn’t offended in the least)

[TheScorpion]

How is that at all offensive? Lol wut

[MolsonInBothHands]

Likely missing some green text.

[DoubleK]

The top line really exploited the terrible Leafs Dmen. Zaitsev turns the puck over like Chris Butler used to do for the Flames.

I thought the fourth line was excellent. They got hemmed in one time at the end of a shift, but Peters didn't seem to shy away from putting them out in any situation.

Valimaki had a tough night, but he kept getting ice time to work through his challenges. I wonder what would have become of Wotherspoon had he been giving that opportunity? I'm loving the patience with the rookies.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

The top line really exploited the terrible Leafs Dmen. Zaitsev turns the puck over like Chris Butler used to do for the Flames.

I thought the fourth line was excellent. They got hemmed in one time at the end of a shift, but Peters didn't seem to shy away from putting them out in any situation.

Valimaki had a tough night, but he kept getting ice time to work through his challenges. I wonder what would have become of Wotherspoon had he been giving that opportunity? I'm loving the patience with the rookies.

Wotherspoon was given opportunities.
He didn't take advantage of them.
Not sure why folks seem to feel like he was somehow given a raw deal.

Dude had 30 games at the NHL level.

[Strange Brew]

Thanks for the good writeup. Hanifin is still very young so I have a lot of patience with him. I don't really see it as a good sign that his splits are so different with and without Hamonic as it implies he is being carried. But the sample size is way too small from which to draw any conclusions.

The Leafs clearly were shorthanded and not very dialed in, but Flames smothered them for 55 minutes. I really hope this means the Flames are starting to tighten their focus and build some more consistency into their game.

Why in the world are we talking about Wotherspoon? If he is any good there are lots of NHL teams who could use a cheap defenseman.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Wotherspoon was given opportunities.
He didn't take advantage of them.
Not sure why folks seem to feel like he was somehow given a raw deal.

Dude had 30 games at the NHL level.

Fun Flames fact to show a raw deal -

Tim Ramholt. 2 shifts, 45 seconds total, and -1
Brent Sutter had seen enough. That is his final NHL stat line.
1 GP, -1 , 45 s TOI

[Bleeding Red]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Thanks for the good writeup. Hanifin is still very young so I have a lot of patience with him. I don't really see it as a good sign that his splits are so different with and without Hamonic as it implies he is being carried. But the sample size is way too small from which to draw any conclusions.

I just read (Sportsnet's Laffs write up, I think) that for many teams 400 GP is some unofficial benchmark for D-men to really round into the position. At 250 GP Hanifin deserves leeway. He looked good to me last night.

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Great write up. Johnny I think deserves a mention for strong defensive play that game; he had contributed away from the puck.

I have been really impressed with Gaudreau's backchecking and defensive play in the last two games. It looks like he has committed himself to being an all-around player and the results so far are great. Really impressive play.

[Enoch Root]

Great write-up, as always.

Really liked the way the Flames played last night - really tight gap control in the neutral zone, lots of aggressive forechecking, great defensive coverage, and up-tempo.

The game was a lot like the pre-season and the first few games where the Flames played well with this new style - the style of game that many of us have been excited about for this season. For some reason, they reverted to their old ways for a few games with less skating and no defensive pressure. But we can't expect miraculous changes immediately, with no speed bumps or reversions. It's a - wait for it - process.

Agree about Gaudreau's defensive commitment recently, and I think it can be said about a bunch of them. Looks like Peters is getting through to them (hopefully).

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Thanks for the good writeup. Hanifin is still very young so I have a lot of patience with him. I don't really see it as a good sign that his splits are so different with and without Hamonic as it implies he is being carried. But the sample size is way too small from which to draw any conclusions.

But Hamonic couldn't carry Brodie last year, so that complicates the formula somewhat.

I do think it says Hanifin can't carry another defenseman though. Put him with someone that plays a quiet game and he thrives.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

But Hamonic couldn't carry Brodie last year, so that complicates the formula somewhat.

I do think it says Hanifin can't carry another defenseman though. Put him with someone that plays a quiet game and he thrives.

Yeah, not carried so much as compatible. I'm not sure Hamonic couldn't "carry" Brodie either - Brodie just had a terrible year.

[Textcritic]

Thanks, Bingo.

You mentioned that the Flames and Leafs split HDSCs? Does that mean they each had 11? How many of TML's were ES?

Also, I was thinking about the powerplay as I was watching last night. While the Flames had a couple good looks and did score a goal there were also plenty of ugly, frustrating plays with the man advantage. There were occasions last night where the powerplay looked very much like it did last year. With the wholesale turnover in coaches and a deliberate emphasis on the powerplay I think this shows that last year's problems probably had more to do with what players were doing, and less to do with what coaches were coaching. The hope is that this group of coaches can break the bad habits or nervous energy(?) of players, who still don't look fast enough or mobile enough on the powerplay.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Great write-up, as always.

Really liked the way the Flames played last night - really tight gap control in the neutral zone, lots of aggressive forechecking, great defensive coverage, and up-tempo.

The game was a lot like the pre-season and the first few games where the Flames played well with this new style - the style of game that many of us have been excited about for this season. For some reason, they reverted to their old ways for a few games with less skating and no defensive pressure. But we can't expect miraculous changes immediately, with no speed bumps or reversions. It's a - wait for it - process.

Agree about Gaudreau's defensive commitment recently, and I think it can be said about a bunch of them. Looks like Peters is getting through to them (hopefully).

Thanks for this. This is very much in line with points I was trying to convey yesterday, but much more poorly than you have summarized here.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Thanks, Bingo.

You mentioned that the Flames and Leafs split HDSCs? Does that mean they each had 11? How many of TML's were ES?

Also, I was thinking about the powerplay as I was watching last night. While the Flames had a couple good looks and did score a goal there were also plenty of ugly, frustrating plays with the man advantage. There were occasions last night where the powerplay looked very much like it did last year. With the wholesale turnover in coaches and a deliberate emphasis on the powerplay I think this shows that last year's problems probably had more to do with what players were doing, and less to do with what coaches were coaching. The hope is that this group of coaches can break the bad habits or nervous energy(?) of players, who still don't look fast enough or mobile enough on the powerplay.

Johnny had the puck behind the net last night, which is a pretty good spot for him, but all they did was get it to the point. FWIW, I do think the Leafs keyed on preventing his pass to Lidstrom. That's when you need a high slot shot as an alternative. The Jets play for a pass to either Laine on the wing or Scheifele in the middle and it's hard to stop both. I'd also like to give Neal an extended look on the first unit. I think Gio has lost an MHP or two off his shot as well.

The second unit is just not a threat at all.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Thanks, Bingo.

You mentioned that the Flames and Leafs split HDSCs? Does that mean they each had 11? How many of TML's were ES?

They split the high dangers 8-8 five on five

3-1 Flames in first
3-5 in second
2-2 in third

11-9 Toronto in all situations

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

They split the high dangers 8-8 five on five

3-1 Flames in first
3-5 in second
2-2 in third

11-9 Toronto in all situations

So, this one surprises me because Toronto did not even get their first shot on goal in the third period until the powerplay at the 15:00 mark. They must have had all their scoring chances in the final five mins of the game—four of which were played with an extra man.