[Game Takes] Devils 4 Flames 3 (OT)

[Bingo]

Devils 4 Flames 3 (OT)

- Flames awful in the 1st going down 3-1
- Improve in the latter half and get the game to OT
- Calgary skill players fight the puck all night
- Markstrom the only core piece playing well
- Flames lose in overtime with PP goal

[Finger Cookin]

Easy to say in hindsight, but this is the kind of start I expected from the team. I'm a fan of the offseason moves, and I think they'll position us well for the playoffs, but these kind of growing pains with so many new players injected at the top of the lineup seems expected. "Chemistry" is an inexact part of team sports, and finding the right mix is what this regular season will be all about.

[D as in David]

I'm not excusing Mackey for the Devil's first goal but how many opportunities did the Lindholm line have to exit the zone and kept blowing it before the goal? Not just putting it on the forwards but that combo of players were a hot mess.

[Steve Bozek]

The defense just isn’t good enough without Tanev and Kylington. If they were both healthy and playing, that would be three pairs able to exit the zone with speed. Before it became apparent Kylington wouldn’t be here, I thought the addition of Weegar really made the defense even better than last year.

Now, with Tanev not able to play, they’re in trouble, and even worse if Stone is out for more than this game. Stone’s not a good replacement for Kylington, but Mackey’s not good enough to replace Stone.

[Enoch Root]

Mackey was -3 and had a penalty in the 1st period. And he was at least part of the problem on all 3 goals. He simply can't think the game fast enough for the NHL, IMO.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

The defense just isn’t good enough without Tanev and Kylington. If they were both healthy and playing, that would be three pairs able to exit the zone with speed. Before it became apparent Kylington wouldn’t be here, I thought the addition of Weegar really made the defense even better than last year.

Now, with Tanev not able to play, they’re in trouble, and even worse if Stone is out for more than this game. Stone’s not a good replacement for Kylington, but Mackey’s not good enough to replace Stone.

And this is why depth on defense is so important.

So many people want to trade Hanifin for a forward, but a strong defense will turn weak very quickly, as players are removed.

Having Kylington out doesn't pose too much of a problem on its own. But add Tanev to that, and you've got problems.

If Hanifin were gone, we would be icing an Oiler-esque defense right now.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

The defense just isn’t good enough without Tanev and Kylington. If they were both healthy and playing, that would be three pairs able to exit the zone with speed. Before it became apparent Kylington wouldn’t be here, I thought the addition of Weegar really made the defense even better than last year.

Now, with Tanev not able to play, they’re in trouble, and even worse if Stone is out for more than this game. Stone’s not a good replacement for Kylington, but Mackey’s not good enough to replace Stone.

Maybe it’s time to have a look at Solovyov.

[Naitix]

I do not agree with Mackey criticism, the only goal he was at fault for was the first one. The second goal he actually made the correct play and if Mang/Kadri did not mess up their coverage it would have been a nothing play. The third goal was mostly on Rooney who failed to react to the devils player that got behind him, Mackey could not have really done anything different there.
You people are just using Mackey as scape goat because devils happened to score on those plays, while none of you mention all the grade A chances other flames D gave up in the third, the only reason you are not getting mad at those players is because they did not result in goals. While you are forgetting all the good plays Mackey did that game.
My point is that Mackey was not so bad that he deserves to be waived, all of the D are playing like #### and are failing at coverage pretty badly. Do not forget that he played 12 NHL games in 3 years, I just do not see a point saying how bad Mackey is while if we would remove names from other jerseys people would be saying that #10 should be sent to the AHL for all his give aways

[Goriders]

The Flames defensive play/coverage in their own end is atrocious right now.

I noticed it in the Buffalo game first. Leaving guys wide open in the slot for grade A chances. They did the same thing last night and added in 2 or 3 breakaways were guys cut up the middle between our defenders on 1 on 2 rushes.

These are things you learn when you’re 12. The chemistry and home stand excuses are growing old.

Markstrom takes a lot of heat for the goals against. But from what I’ve seem his D hangs him out to dry multiple times each game.

[D as in David]

I wouldn't even blame Rooney on the 3rd goal, he just got out skated by Miles Wood. That guy was flying on that goal.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Lucky to get a point. You can’t keep spotting the opposition 3-1 leads

Thanks to a disallowed goal due to the net being off, and then Markstrom fending off multiple breakaways in the third

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Naitix

I do not agree with Mackey criticism, the only goal he was at fault for was the first one. The second goal he actually made the correct play and if Mang/Kadri did not mess up their coverage it would have been a nothing play. The third goal was mostly on Rooney who failed to react to the devils player that got behind him, Mackey could not have really done anything different there.
You people are just using Mackey as scape goat because devils happened to score on those plays, while none of you mention all the grade A chances other flames D gave up in the third, the only reason you are not getting mad at those players is because they did not result in goals. While you are forgetting all the good plays Mackey did that game.
My point is that Mackey was not so bad that he deserves to be waived, all of the D are playing like #### and are failing at coverage pretty badly. Do not forget that he played 12 NHL games in 3 years, I just do not see a point saying how bad Mackey is while if we would remove names from other jerseys people would be saying that #10 should be sent to the AHL for all his give aways

The first goal, he abandoned the player in front of the net.

On the second goal, he was covering Hischier, and he was in position, but Hischier went around him and got the pass out in front. Mackey neither took the man, nor knocked away the puck. This is a DO league, not a TRY league. Was the forward also at fault? Absolutely. But Mackey failed the play as well.

On the 3rd goal, the up-ice pass came to his man in the neutral zone. He played the guy, but the puck went passed him, creating a 2 on 1. It wasn't his fault, but his lack of execution, allowing the puck to get behind him, set up the odd man rush.

The penalty on him was absolute weak sauce, though

[ComixZone]

So, who on this team can actually carry the puck?

10 games in and the only player who wants the puck and is trying to make plays is Nazem Kadri.

Everyone else won't hold onto it. Can't make a pass. Can't skate with the puck. They dump it in entirely too much and their recovery attempts are pathetic. This team needs to get through the neutral zone with speed so they have a chance to enter the zone with the puck, rather than limp-wristing it into the corner never to be seen again.

Also, Lindholm is an absolute ghost this year.

It was good to see Markstrom keep us in this one. Good confidence builder for him.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Naitix

I do not agree with Mackey criticism, the only goal he was at fault for was the first one. The second goal he actually made the correct play and if Mang/Kadri did not mess up their coverage it would have been a nothing play. The third goal was mostly on Rooney who failed to react to the devils player that got behind him, Mackey could not have really done anything different there.
You people are just using Mackey as scape goat because devils happened to score on those plays, while none of you mention all the grade A chances other flames D gave up in the third, the only reason you are not getting mad at those players is because they did not result in goals. While you are forgetting all the good plays Mackey did that game.
My point is that Mackey was not so bad that he deserves to be waived, all of the D are playing like #### and are failing at coverage pretty badly. Do not forget that he played 12 NHL games in 3 years, I just do not see a point saying how bad Mackey is while if we would remove names from other jerseys people would be saying that #10 should be sent to the AHL for all his give aways

I’m not excusing the rest of the defense for the poor play in the first period last night. But if a healthy Tanev and Kylington were there when training camp started, and if the Flames decided to sign Stone, both Mackey and Valimaki would have been on waivers - Stone was better than either of them this year.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

So, who on this team can actually carry the puck?

10 games in and the only player who wants the puck and is trying to make plays is Nazem Kadri.

Everyone else won't hold onto it. Can't make a pass. Can't skate with the puck. They dump it in entirely too much and their recovery attempts are pathetic. This team needs to get through the neutral zone with speed so they have a chance to enter the zone with the puck, rather than limp-wristing it into the corner never to be seen again.

Also, Lindholm is an absolute ghost this year.

Other people have said this, but if the current flu bug has hit the Flames' dressing room, that would explain a lot. If those players are half as sick as my wife and I are right now, it's a wonder they can skate at all.

Something clearly changed after the 5-1 start. These guys didn't just forget how to hockey from one day to the next. But a couple of weeks of flu would neatly fit the timeline of these recent losses.

[Toonage]

Could also explain Tanev - a guy who has played through all sorts if injuries- not even practicing

[chedder]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Could also explain Tanev - a guy who has played through all sorts if injuries- not even practicing

If it was flu don't you think the team would just say so?

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by chedder

If it was flu don't you think the team would just say so?

Just hoping for a best case scenario

[442scotty]

We need more Kadri players on this team plain and simple. The Flames need to get younger and faster, with skill of course.