A veteran playmaker and a rookie goal-scorer. A player that distributes and a player that makes the distribution worthwhile. What’s not to like? That makes for an exciting brand of hockey, and that’s what we get to see watching the Calgary Flames this season with the relationship between Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato.
The first week of the season is in the books and as such we now have a small sample size of data to work with. Up until now Beyond the Boxscore has only focused on single game outcomes while leaving the summarization of multiple games for the reader to find themselves – not any more. Included will be a comprehensive weekly summary of the games that occurred, who ran hot, who was not, etc.
The Calgary Wranglers began their 2023-24 season over the weekend, capturing three of a possible four points. Dustin Wolf was excellent in one start, and top prospects like Jeremie Poirier, Cole Schwindt and Connor Zary had strong performances.
The season has started in earnest for the vast majority of the Flames’ prospects, and a few of them are off to really good starts.
Here’s our weekly prospect snapshot.
There is no denying that the Flames are working hard. The effort level is there for the most part. They’ve been doing a good job of creating high danger opportunities, more so compared to last year. But once again they are running into the issue of not being able to bury those chances.
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I like starting the backup in the first of back-to-backs, but they may want to have Markstrom rested for Sunday afternoon, so he'll probably get the nod tonight.
Debated going tonight, but will be at the game in Columbus Friday (free tickets and getting to see a buddy in Columbus outweighs the 3 hour difference in going to Buffalo and/or Detroit instead).
4-2 win with a solid shut down third period for the Flames!
I liked quite a few things I've seen over the first 3 games. The one major issue for me is goal scoring. I like the goaltending, the defense, the special teams, and even the 5 on 5 play.
But man, they have to start scoring. I don't care if it's by committee or one guy gets on a heater, but even an extra goal here and there would be a game changer. That's what I'm looking for tonight. Just start scoring.
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I liked quite a few things I've seen over the first 3 games. The one major issue for me is goal scoring. I like the goaltending, the defense, the special teams, and even the 5 on 5 play.
But man, they have to start scoring. I don't care if it's by committee or one guy gets on a heater, but even an extra goal here and there would be a game changer. That's what I'm looking for tonight. Just start scoring.
I think with the Huberdeau line Lindholm needs to take reigns and carry the puck through the middle of the ice and dish off and both him and Mangiapane need to take straight line routes right down the middle and Huberdeau will get them the puck in prime scoring areas.
I think the fall into the bad habits a bit from last year of going to the boards to try and cycle it around.
Chucky and the Backlund are good along the boards, Huberdeau isn't they need to find the open ice down the middle.
I think with the Huberdeau line Lindholm needs to take reigns and carry the puck through the middle of the ice and dish off and both him and Mangiapane need to take straight line routes right down the middle and Huberdeau will get them the puck in prime scoring areas.
I think the fall into the bad habits a bit from last year of going to the boards to try and cycle it around.
Chucky and the Backlund are good along the boards, Huberdeau isn't they need to find the open ice down the middle.
Lindholm isn't the best entry guy. His bread and butter is getting to the soft spots of the ice and remaining open.
Huberdeau needs someone who is also capable of bringing the puck up the ice because as is teams swarm Huberdeau in the neutral zone and effectively take away a lot of his options. If we had another winger who was very efficient at entering the zone it would take a significant amount of pressure off Huberdeau.
In my opinion Mangiapane isn't exactly that player and is better suited for when the puck is forced into the zone. Maybe Ruzicka would work?
This isn't a simple fix but the problem is that our exit and entry game is very predictable for the first line as Huberdeau is so far above both Mangapiane and Lindholm in terms of capability to.effectively enter the zone. Top line needs more options.
Calgary Flames at Buffalo Sabres 5pm TV: SNW, RSNF - RADIO SN960
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