[PGT] Flames lose 2-1

[TheScorpion]

"Calgary outshot Dallas by a margin of 2-to-1"

But I thought all the talking heads said that good stats correlate to wins?

[OldSam]

Only four regulation wins on the road all year. Nothing more to say. Brad and the guys have a lot of things to think about on the break.

[FeyWest]

Well it looked like Hartley finally was willing to breakup the top line for some potentially better matchups so we'll have to see what comes from it if anything. Im not opposed to it, something's gotta give.

[malcolmk14]

Flames need to go 23-11-1 or 22-10-3 or 21-9-5 to finish with 92 points. Even that may not be enough for the playoffs.

February is going to be a huge month, as they play a whole bunch of divisional games.

@ Canucks - Feb 6th
@ Sharks - Feb 11th
@ Coyotes - Feb 12th
vs. Ducks - Feb 15th
vs. Canucks - Feb 19th
@ Ducks - Feb 21st

At that point in time we should know whether we have a legitimate shot at playoffs or not (I suspect not). Can start to move some veterans who aren't going to be re-signed and look toward next year.

[Stay Golden]

Blase.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

"Calgary outshot Dallas by a margin of 2-to-1"

But I thought all the talking heads said that good stats correlate to wins?

Score effects. Read about them. Shots while trailing are not equal to shots while leading or tied.

[JohnnyB]

Flames just don't have enough scoring power up front. They need a power forward who's good at getting the tip-ins and dirty goals right in front of the net and who loves to shoot.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Oh yes, he really isn't. Bad giveaways that lead to goals, stupid penalties (even if the refs got the wrong guy), kills offensive plays. I would rather keep Colborne at this point than Backlund.

1. Bad giveaways? EVERYONE makes giveaways that lead to goals. Backlund's sample size in that regard is incredibly poor, and that even with his playing of the centre position, requiring him to play lower in the defensive zone and thus making him more susceptible to giving the puck away.

2. Stupid penalties? Well, no. Backlund's currently tied for 13th on the Flames in PIM. I mean, until you quantify 'stupidity'...

3. I can't quantify 'killing offensive plays', but Backlund's a top-6 scorer on the Flames. Come on.

[Ashasx]

If the Coyotes win tonight, the Flames will be 8 points back of a playoff spot with 1 game in hand.

[CroFlames]

I just don't understand why they are not clicking as a team.

[Caged Great]

Well, that was a game. You can't be outshot 19-4 at one point and expect to win too often.

That was the type of effort that a bad team gives through two periods. The attempt to come back was a valiant one in the third, but it wasn't enough.

Two more "Matthews" points I guess. I think that road trip will be looked back on as the stretch that ended the Flames season.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I just don't understand why they are not clicking as a team.

Systems. Teams have figured out our 2 horse strategy of stretch passes and quick passes after gaining the zone.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I just don't understand why they are not clicking as a team.

Maybe you should ask other teams' fans that. You'll get some answers:

"Regression! They were bound to!"

"Their players suck!"

"Their stars aren't succeeding because they're too small!"

"They lack competitive drive!"

"Because I'm an Oilers fan!"

Are all responses I've gotten from different fans on twitter in the last couple months. TBH, it's because of the coaching, not because of the players, or their heights.

[sharkov]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If the Coyotes win tonight, the Flames will be 8 points back of a playoff spot with 1 game in hand.

bad news as Arizona already has a point tonight

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

. I think that road trip will be looked back on as the stretch that ended the Flames season.

I would say the 5 losses to divisional opponents (Kings/Ducks/Coyotes/Sharks/Oilers) take that award.

[Sakic19]

Hopefully the week off helps, but at this point does it really matter? While I hope I'm wrong, we aren't consistent enough to make a run in the playoff

[Two Fivenagame]

Arizona with a point now. In ot.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Flames just don't have enough scoring power up front. They need a power forward who's good at getting the tip-ins and dirty goals right in front of the net and who loves to shoot.

How about that guy from Colorado, Jarome Iginla?

[bubbsy]

Bad hockey team got what they deserved.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Are all responses I've gotten from different fans on twitter in the last couple months. TBH, it's because of the coaching, not because of the players, or their heights.

The problem is that the Flames have 3 top six forwards, all under the age of 22. guys like Frolik and this year's version of Hudler are 3rd liners on quality teams. The rest of the guys are 3rd and 4th liners that are being put up in the lineup because we have no other options.

The Flames need to acquire three additional top six forwards to become a good team. They will likely acquire one through the draft this year assuming a top 5 pick.

Calgary is struggling because they are not getting the same level of play from the depth as they were a year ago. You had three lines that were all playing at the level of a decent 3rd line. That's not the case this year.

The coaching staff is being blamed somewhat unfairly because the personnel are not playing up to snuff. Is it Hartley's fault that Hudler and Wideman have vanished off the face of the earth?