[Game Takes] Game Takes: Sharks 4 Flames 1

[Bingo]

Game Takes: Sharks 4 Flames 1

- Flames fall to trap game
- Fail to capitalize on dominant second
- Sloppy third does them in

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

"The Sharks come out and score on a great Brent Burns pass up the middle to XXXXX..."

Good writeup as always, Bingo. I thought this very aptly described SJ's lineup in last night's game.

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[Erick Estrada]

It does look a little like the Flames are susceptible to teams like the Ducks, Sharks, and Stars that like to employ a sleepy style of low event hockey. I think these are the types of games where your special teams really need to come through and they did have a few close chances on the powerplay but just couldn't get that go ahead goal to get the Sharks to open up the game in seeking a tying goal.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It does look a little like the Flames are susceptible to teams like the Ducks, Sharks, and Stars that like to employ a sleepy style of low event hockey. I think these are the types of games where your special teams really need to come through and they did have a few close chances on the powerplay but just couldn't get that go ahead goal to get the Sharks to open up the game in seeking a tying goal.

You need to get that lead against those teams, all right. Probably why Sutter specifically referenced the “top guys” in that short clip.

[SutterBrother]

Who was the other guy they got in addition to Jack Beck in the Lucic deal? A third flipped to LA for two 6ths wasn't it?

[Hot_Flatus]

The effort was there again, which is nice to see.

I'm still not enamoured with the teams ability to finish plays. I fear the lack of a true elite shooter, especially on the PP is going to limit this team's ability to remain a top seed through to the playoffs once Markstrom trends a little more back to earth.

Eg. Dube had a barrage of 1-time opportunities on a PP that could have turned this game around had he been able to muster a better shot at least once. If this team can get someone that can bury shots like this even semi regularly, it will go a long way to winning tighter games like this.

[Erick Estrada]

Dube had a handful of really good looks on the powerplay that I feel a better finisher would have scored on.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by SutterBrother

Who was the other guy they got in addition to Jack Beck in the Lucic deal? A third flipped to LA for two 6ths wasn't it?

I believe it was Cameron Whynot. They didn't flip for 2 6ths, they flipped for a later 3rd and the 6th.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I believe it was Cameron Whynot. They didn't flip for 2 6ths, they flipped for a later 3rd and the 6th.

If you flip a 3rd for 2 6's, you won't have a job much longer.

[Shazam]

Zadorov had a lot of difficulty clearing the zone last night.

[sa226]

I'm sure Sutter knows exactly what he's doing,

But I'd like to see a swap of Dube and Monahan. I honestly think with Monahans game he's bringing the tenacity of that line down, something Dube is better at with his speed.

Monahan and Mangiapane are 2 guys with expectations on them that are kinda cold right now. Mangiapane isn't really a possession guy, but he's not bad as a play driver. I think a 2b line of Monahan, Mangiapane and Lucic could be fairly effective.

I'm not sure if Monahan deserves the mini promotion though.

[Bingo]

I'm amazed in a game like that that sutter doesn't shorten his bench at all. Just keeps rolling on the game plan to play everyone.

On one hand frustrating for the fans as they could walk out a better top nine down a goal, but I'd imagine that would play well in the room when everyone feels part of it no matter what.

Long term goals I guess.

I honestly felt that game was lost in the first minute of the third period. They didn't get scored on, but you could sense a sag and that it was coming.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm amazed in a game like that that sutter doesn't shorten his bench at all. Just keeps rolling on the game plan to play everyone.

On one hand frustrating for the fans as they could walk out a better top nine down a goal, but I'd imagine that would play well in the room when everyone feels part of it no matter what.

Long term goals I guess.

I honestly felt that game was lost in the first minute of the third period. They didn't get scored on, but you could sense a sag and that it was coming.

I think that's it exactly.

Everyone - including both dressing rooms - knew that the Flames should be ahead, but that the game was now up for grabs, and all SJ had to do was win one period to get the 2 points.

That first shift was going to dictate who was going to impose their will: would SJ come out and show that they could take this period? Or would the Flames be able to re-establish their will for another period of dominance?

That first shift made it crystal clear - the Flames had let it slip away and the Sharks found their legs. Every single one of them knew they were going to win it.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm amazed in a game like that that sutter doesn't shorten his bench at all. Just keeps rolling on the game plan to play everyone.

On one hand frustrating for the fans as they could walk out a better top nine down a goal, but I'd imagine that would play well in the room when everyone feels part of it no matter what.

Long term goals I guess.

I honestly felt that game was lost in the first minute of the third period. They didn't get scored on, but you could sense a sag and that it was coming.

100% this. Trap game, overplaying the 4th liners, other reasons kind of goes out the window. Third period, tie game and they got outplayed rather significantly at that point in time. By a team without a ton of talent.

Oh well, it happens. But if you're looking for a sign that the team might be cooling off, that would be it.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

100% this. Trap game, overplaying the 4th liners, other reasons kind of goes out the window. Third period, tie game and they got outplayed rather significantly at that point in time. By a team without a ton of talent.

Oh well, it happens. But if you're looking for a sign that the team might be cooling off, that would be it.

I was never under any illusion that they wouldn't cool off.

I think the star to the season does two really important things;

1) It banks points they'll need. We never see that in Calgary.
2) It tells the team what they can be. It's no longer theoretical.

But yeah honestly the San Jose game was what I was expecting this season largely.

Out play the opposition but lose a game on their lack of finish.

But they gave up 13 high danger chances in the game, which means they weren't focused as their details slipped. The Flames are giving up 8.5 per 60 minutes this year in all situations ... good for 2nd best.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm amazed in a game like that that sutter doesn't shorten his bench at all. Just keeps rolling on the game plan to play everyone.

On one hand frustrating for the fans as they could walk out a better top nine down a goal, but I'd imagine that would play well in the room when everyone feels part of it no matter what.

Long term goals I guess.

I honestly felt that game was lost in the first minute of the third period. They didn't get scored on, but you could sense a sag and that it was coming.

Yeah the Lewis line was out with about 4 minutes to go. Which seems strange when you are down by a goal.