[PGT] Flames beat Preds 4-3

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I missed the third period because of a Halloween party. Just watched it now. Holy crap.

- Can we just keep Gaudreau-Granlund-Hudler together forever. That was something else. Three incredibly smart players that always know where each other are. Granlund's nifty little pass was Hudler was excellent. I'm sure most other players would've tried to jam it in under Rinne.

- Gaudreau's goal made my stomach sink.

[Arya Stark]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

While the deak of Gaudreau was pretty sweet, I think the shot he made for his goal deserves more attention.

To pick the corner like that from that far out and from that angle... you don't see that everyday.

And it wasn't deflected like they claimed. It went straight into the top net.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

While the deak of Gaudreau was pretty sweet, I think the shot he made for his goal deserves more attention.

To pick the corner like that from that far out and from that angle... you don't see that everyday.

Not just the shot but the fact that he fended off three separate stick checks on the way in without even breaking his stride.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

While the deak of Gaudreau was pretty sweet, I think the shot he made for his goal deserves more attention.

To pick the corner like that from that far out and from that angle... you don't see that everyday.

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

And it wasn't deflected like they claimed. It went straight into the top net.

Definitely not deflected. That was actually one of Gaudreau's go-to moves.

He scored a bunch of those in BC where he would come down the left wing and then shoot short-side, over the goalie's shoulder, right inside the corner of the post-crossbar.

Does it all the time.

And he has actually tried it 3 or 4 times already with the Flames, but that was the first time he hit it obviously. Expect to see it again!

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I missed the third period because of a Halloween party. Just watched it now. Holy crap.

- Can we just keep Gaudreau-Granlund-Hudler together forever. That was something else. Three incredibly smart players that always know where each other are. Granlund's nifty little pass was Hudler was excellent. I'm sure most other players would've tried to jam it in under Rinne.

- Gaudreau's goal made my stomach sink.

For all the harping about having size in each line, they were fine against Weber...

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Definitely not deflected. That was actually one of Gaudreau's go-to moves.

He scored a bunch of those in BC where he would come down the left wing and then shoot short-side, over the goalie's shoulder, right inside the corner of the post-crossbar.

Does it all the time.

And he has actually tried it 3 or 4 times already with the Flames, but that was the first time he hit it obviously. Expect to see it again!

it's definitely a move he practices in warmups.

[browna]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

While the deak of Gaudreau was pretty sweet, I think the shot he made for his goal deserves more attention.

To pick the corner like that from that far out and from that angle... you don't see that everyday.

Disagree...noticed last night and previous games, JG was throwing them at the net from those type of angles, looking for a hole on the short side or high. Probably from his college days where goalies would cheat on expecting a pass/not technically sound in covering the post from a player on a tough angle.

Plus, IMO Rinne totally misplayed that...what's his glove doing across his face, and why's he down on his knees so early? As I said last night, reminded me of clumsy Henrik Karlsson for a few years back, and if that went in on Hiller/Ramo, (or, if that was Bollig firing it at Rinnie and going in) we'd call it a bad goal.

The deke, however, was extra special. I don't usually get that excited about dekes because lots of skill guys can pull that off and there's an element of a defenseman making a mistake to make the play happen and look so good. Such as JG's preseason goal; that was nice, but the inside/outside/quick shot was skilled for sure, but not that special IMO; it's what most skilled players in the league can pull off, and then the seeing eye shot is a crap shoot whether it goes in or not. Don't get me wrong, at the NHL speed not everyone can do it, or are you given the time and space usually to make it, but it wasn't as incredible as it was hyped to be.

But the deke last night was incredible. Started with a couple "full back and forth" stick handles to get the defenseman (a solid one too, in Volchenkov) to be locked into a pattern, but then to, with perfect timing as he gets near the defenseman's stick (who has it timed to step up and take the puck if it was a "full" stick handle in that direction), suddenly slip a "half" stick handle to the inside and then a "full" outside stick handle back outside, without decelerating/and actually accelerating, was fantastic. Even at that speed, Volchenkov was ready to step up and take the puck away, but the half move threw his timing off, and the other defenders off entirely. And, this wasn't a last minute adjustment by JG, at that speed it can't be; its natural skill, sense, confidence, along with some practice. Very very few players in the league could do that, IMO.

Removes any doubt that this is the most purely skilled Flame we've seen in a couple decades.

[Enoch Root]

Gaudreau's stats, since the moronic comments from Healy on HNIC...

Prior: 5G, 0G, 0A, 0P, +2, 1S
After: 6G, 2G, 4A, 6P, +4, 14S 2GWG (tied for league lead)

and he has taken over the league lead in takeaways at 16 (was unable to find the split on this)

I am sure that Healy will remind us, however, that he is dead last in the league with 0 hits.

[saillias]

Boomer and Rhett talk to Healy on the Fan earlier this week. They brought up the comments he made and mentioned he riled up a lot of Flames fans.

Healy clarified that his point was he thinks it's too much for a guy to be given the same nickname as Gordie Howe without accomplishing anything at the NHL level. He still likes him as a player and acknowledges that he has a lot of talent.

He was quite reasonable in the entire phone conversation, actually. I think he just has a persona he cultivates for the TV analyst role.

[Tailgator]

Originally Posted by iggyformayor

Volchenkov has gotta get suspended for that hit. That was brutal.

He never should have finished the game. If the refs were too blind to call it, Bollig or McGratton should have ended his night.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by saillias

Boomer and Rhett talk to Healy on the Fan earlier this week. They brought up the comments he made and mentioned he riled up a lot of Flames fans.

Healy clarified that his point was he thinks it's too much for a guy to be given the same nickname as Gordie Howe without accomplishing anything at the NHL level. He still likes him as a player and acknowledges that he has a lot of talent.

He was quite reasonable in the entire phone conversation, actually. I think he just has a persona he cultivates for the TV analyst role.

Sorry, can't convince me, Healy is still a tool!

[Camronius]

Lots of comments on JG last night, for obvious reasons. I noticed on 2 separate occasions he went into the boards with Weber and came out with the puck. Cleanly beating Weber out on a 50/50 battle. That actually blew me away just as much as some of his other plays tonight. Here's to hoping Gelina's teaches him how to grow the tree trunk thighs, and he keeps his own ability to dodge injuries.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by stone hands

I leave in the 2nd period a lot because my gf gets up at 430am for work and games end too late. I stay if I can, usually

I get up at 430 for work (to get off at 6pm), and I stay till the end

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Tailgator

He never should have finished the game. If the refs were too blind to call it, Bollig or McGratton should have ended his night.

To bad Ferland was too hurt to retaliate. He could have ripped him a new one

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Tailgator

He never should have finished the game. If the refs were too blind to call it, Bollig or McGratton should have ended his night.

What's the point of surrounding the skilled guys with beef if you're not going to use it? Not saying anyone should have gone out and beat up Volchenkov, but at least go out and hit him, scrum it up with him, scare the #### out of him. This is not the first time other teams have taken liberties on our team with no response. So, where's the beef?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by troutman

You know it is Halloween right? People have parties to go to.

Yep, I'm typically aware what day it is, troutman.

[jayswin]

You know what the best part of this rebuild is? I don't know about anyone else, but I find myself forgetting pieces of the rebuild and then getting excited.

Well Johnny Gaudreau's doing well, imagine when Bennett starts playing for the Flames next year.

"Oh yeah Bennett! The highest draft pick, and arguably number one player from last years draft!"

Granlund will come up due to injuries. *Comes up and plays like an NHL'er

"Oh yeah, Granlund showed NHL flashes late last season, I totally forgot!"



We're going to be a great hockey team in 3 years, you can just feel it. There's way too many good pieces and way too much cap space for when we start becoming a legitimate threat for this rebuild to fail and have to start a new one.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

To your bolded point, I am a bit surprised that more people aren't talking about the Flames' team defense actually.

There has been lots of talk about their poor possession numbers - and part of it is that they weren't playing well earlier - but I also think the possession numbers are a reflection of their style.

The Flames collapse the middle of the ice on D. They let the other team move around the outside, which results in a lot of time in their own end (exacerbated by their bad passing). However, they don't give up a whole lot of quality chances, which is what is leaving the other teams frustrated and confused after playing them.

Sometimes stats like possession numbers are tell a story, and it is only a matter of time before they catch up to you. But sometimes, they miss key elements and as a result can remain 'skewed'. And I think this is an example of that.

As a blatant and extreme example of my point, I give you the Oilers. They will probably have better possession numbers than the Flames all year, but they give up way more quality chances against. For most teams, the goals against will eventually reflect the possession time. But for the Flames and Oilers (in relation to each other), they never will because the Flames defensive zone coverage results in a lot of low quality chances, whereas the Oilers defensive zone coverage results in one open player in the slot every period.

tl;dr The Flames give up lots of possession time, but not lots of quality chances.

I am not saying our defense did not play well. I am just pointing that Nashville got the puck a lot and seems to be dominating the guy but less shot. You are right, Nashvill might have the puck a lot but our defense and forwards prevent them from making an easy shot...like the Preds have to work for it.

[Stay Golden]

Its pretty ironic that Johnny G comment after the game about playing on a line with Hudler will help him become a better hockey player.
That he learns so much from him.
Monahan as a rookie said the same thing last year.
Hartley keep Hudler together with Johnny, the chemistry with Hudler-Granlund-Johnny was incredible. So creative.
Only caught the 3rd period but what game for #13 and that line.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by flameswin

You know what the best part of this rebuild is? I don't know about anyone else, but I find myself forgetting pieces of the rebuild and then getting excited.

Well Johnny Gaudreau's doing well, imagine when Bennett starts playing for the Flames next year.

"Oh yeah Bennett! The highest draft pick, and arguably number one player from last years draft!"

Granlund will come up due to injuries. *Comes up and plays like an NHL'er

"Oh yeah, Granlund showed NHL flashes late last season, I totally forgot!"



We're going to be a great hockey team in 3 years, you can just feel it. There's way too many good pieces and way too much cap space for when we start becoming a legitimate threat for this rebuild to fail and have to start a new one.

Yup, and just to speak to this, you didn't even mention 2013 1st round picks Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk. Not to mention former 1st rounders like Baertshi and a wildcard like Jankowski.

The team has prospect depth, real prospect depth, top 6 stuff. Bennett, Monahan, Gaudreau are all top line potential players. I'd love to get McDavid or Eichel in the draft this summer but we'll probably draft in the 4-7 range and still get a very good prospect. The Flames seem to be patient and know how to develop guys now.

The 2011 (Baertschi, Grandlund, Wotherspoon, Gaudreau) and the 2013 drafts (Monahan, Poirier, Klimchuk) are potential franchise turning drafts.

Poirier just scored tonight BTW, first game of the season back from injury in the AHL.