Ugh. Feels like we won't win another game for the rest of the season. Losing is no fun. A couple weeks ago I was convinced that nobody could out-suck the Oilers or Leafs, but it might actually be possible with this current Flames team. Hopefully that won't happen though.
Yeah I didn't think it was possible either but we're making it closer than I thought it could get.
Strange things happen at the end of the season when teams are playing spoiler and the Oilers get called out by their coach and GM and you've got a bunch of kids coached by the wise old Master in Babcock. Leafs dismantled but have some top prospects to audition. Flames got worse and don't really have any top prospects ready up front. Flames have arguably the worst goaltending in the league with Ramo out and goaltending is the single most important position.
Gonna be interesting. I think the Flames are going to lose a bunch with this goaltending and lack of scoring wingers.
I am glad Ortio played and he played very well. I would have missed the game if Hiller was in net tonight. I am liking Nakladal's game more and more. He looks like he's been playing in the NHL for a long time. I hope they re-sign him after this season. Him and Wotherspoon been playing well the last few games and even tonight with JJ he was good. I like Hathaway but I wish they get a chance to call up others like Agostino, Hamilton and some of the young goal scorers in the AHL. We need to start auditioning RW who can play on Monahan and Gaudreau line. Hate to say this because I like Ferland but he doesn't seem to fit on that line. Colborne or Frolik are not a first line RW. They are more suited to play in the bottom 6 as they are more like a two-way forwards.
Anyways it sucks that the Flames keeps making mistakes and lose because of it.
Yeah I didn't think it was possible either but we're making it closer than I thought it could get.
Strange things happen at the end of the season when teams are playing spoiler and the Oilers get called out by their coach and GM and you've got a bunch of kids coached by the wise old Master in Babcock. Leafs dismantled but have some top prospects to audition. Flames got worse and don't really have any top prospects ready up front. Flames have arguably the worst goaltending in the league with Ramo out and goaltending is the single most important position.
Gonna be interesting. I think the Flames are going to lose a bunch with this goaltending and lack of scoring wingers.
Let's be fair here
In his last 5 games Ortio has let in 2 GA 4 times and 5 once, with sv% .917
October stat distortions aside, let's not lump him in with Hiller.
Ortio has lost too many games 2-1 including in extra time
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The Flames' next two games are Thursday in Buffalo and Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
The Flames have won 2 games over the last 23 years in Buffalo. They have one win in their last 11 visits to Buffalo.
The history in Pittsburgh is even worse. One win in their last 17 visits to Pittsburgh. One win since the Flames won the Stanley Cup in 1989. Their last win in Pittsburgh was in Crosby's rookie season ... In the Igloo.
So... Buckle up for the rest of the road trip, folks.
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Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
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In his last 5 games Ortio has let in 2 GA 4 times and 5 once, with sv% .917
October stat distortions aside, let's not lump him in with Hiller.
Ortio has lost too many games 2-1 including in extra time
Yeah Ortio has been pretty good. But our scoring seems to dry up when he's in net. He's not going to play every single game and he will occasionally have a stinker too. I don't trust Hiller and Backstrom a ton but hey, let's give em some starts, why not.
We have no secondary scoring the way the lines are set up right now. On the one hand I like the set up because I want us to develop Bennett at centre. On the other hand that dismantled our only other successful scoring line in Bennett-Backlund-Frolik. Now we have Johnny-Mony-XXXX and then 3 lines that don't score consistently.
We just don't have the scoring to win a ton of games. We're going to lose the occasional ones to goaltending as well. Our road games are going to be tough because they can put their best defensive players out against Johnny. Home games we'll win some for sure.
Man... The only show my kid watches that I hate more than Equestria Girls (kill me now please) is that show. I usually love the various british accents, but that one makes me want to choke to death on my own vomit.
Don't know what's with all the negativity. At this rate were getting one of the Finns. Well have a complete first line for the next decade. We've been in every game we've lost since Anaheim. Nakladal looks sick, scores a one timer ala Iggy. Jokipakka picks up his first point. I'm not enjoying being out of it so early but I'm perfectly fine with the way things are going.
People need to save their frustration over results for next season when it'll actually matter. What matters now is effort and progression of players.
Excellent post that sums it up for me. Especially now that the President's Trophy is officially out of the conversation.
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Unless Ortio, Hiller, MacDonald and Poulin all get busted, Backstrom will not even dress. He's was a necessary salary evil, that's all.
No chance they’ll use one of their three remaining non-emergency callups on Poulin. As for McDonald, they’re not even allowed to call him up until Charlottetown’s season is over. Their last regular-season game isn't until March 19, and they have already clinched a playoff spot.
I think Backstrom will get some action, particularly if Hiller craps the bed one more time.
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Still too early, but I am really starting to feel comfortable with Nakladal, Wotherspoon and Jokipakka as bottom-pairing defencemen, and especially in Nakladal's case - perhaps even in the top 4. Still early.. but they have all been fairly reliable. Really like Nakladal's aggression out there - both in how he fights for the puck, hits, and seem to relish the offensive side of things as well (and not just in this game, but from his entire time up on the Flames). They all have their warts at the moment, but there is a lot to like out each of them. I can not see the Flames not re-signing Nakladal (as long as the contract demands are in line, of course).
Good job by the Flames to hang in with the Bruins on a back-to-back. Good job by Ortio tonight - I thought he did enough at least as a backup - didn't 'steal' the game, but without question he kept the Flames in it and gave them a chance to win. I have noticed him being much more composed in net, which is a good sign.
Yeah I like Nakladal a lot. He came in a fit in pretty much seamlessly. It's all the more impressive that he does things in the offensive zone out there, isn't afraid to pinch on plays, has a bomb of a shot that he's not afraid to use, and shows some creativity.
My hope for Jokipakka is that since his game isn't offence, he can work on getting the details in the defensive side of the game down and use his body to be a solid 3rd pairing shutdown guy. That's the presence we need, as we have enough offence from the blue line as it is.
Since when do we call Jokipakka Kevin? Did I miss something?
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There was a palpable disappointment in the arena for the 24-year-old from Finland with the lyrical name. Jokipakka has drawn fans of his nickname, which was created when baristas at Starbucks couldn't get his name right.
Don't look now tanking fans, The mighty Oilers are now officially one point back of the Flames. DOubt we'll catch the Leafs as the have all their Marlies kids up but they're not too far off now either.
All I want is competitive hockey from here on out. Ortio is giving the team really good games (save the debacle three games ago) which gives me hope for him.
Maybe it's just me and maybe premature, but I'd be happy with a bottom 3 of Jokipakka, Nakladal and Wotherspoon next season. Give these guy the games to find their stride in the NHL.
