[PGT] Jets 3 Flames 2

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by dammage79

its Size for me. Gaudreau can't take the abuse of a run. I am convinced of this.

I think it’s both: lack of team speed and lack of team size.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Having digested the first two games, I think it's exactly why I've been so disappointed with this year's version of the team. They didn't play a decent game one and buckled down on special teams and cruised to a win. Then within 48 hours they simply look like they had no interest building on what they achieved and no indication that they were out there to capitalize on the advantage they created.

This team could easily be sitting on a 2-0 lead right now, but it seems like few of the players who stepped on the ice for game 2 were focused on that objective. From an emotional / psychological perspective, this core just doesn't seem like it can keep the fire burning for more than one game at a time.

[Robbob]

Sleeping on it and reflecting back it was definitely an opportunity lost. The game was put on a tee early with a PP opportunity minutes into the game. Sutter always mentioned that you have to get at least one PP goal a game if you want to win. A goal that early would have taken the wind out of the sails for the Jets. Fast forward to the end of the second and in the third where the PP is inches away from getting a goal to take the lead. Not being able to capitalize has been the thorn in the side of this team for awhile and it just snowballs on them.

[Manhattanboy]

Special teams wins you games in the playoffs. That’s why we won Game 1 and lost Game 2.

Of course you need good goaltending as well.

[Bingo]

Every fan base thinks their team didn't care, didn't try, couldn't bother.

Guessing every fan base is wrong.

The other team makes adjustments, and hockey is a flow game, if you can't find that flow it's a tough night. The Flames powerplay just couldn't get untracked.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

That'd be nice, but you need great players on the PK to have a good PK, and limiting the effectiveness of the other team's PP is just as important as scoring goals (which Lindholm also does).

For perspective, Bergeron and Marchand are both in the top forwards on the PK in Boston, Kopitar is the top PK guy in LA, Couturier in PHI, O'Reilly in St. Louis, etc.

The reason why Lindholm is as great as he is (and in my opinion, our best player) is that he's excellent in both ends of the ice in any situation. He's a true two-way forward and potential emerging as an elite one at that based on his defensive performance while still contributing heavy offense. It would be foolish to make moves to utilize his defensive ability less, as that's just as important as his offensive contributions.

The answer to "should Ward look at replacing Lindholm with another player" is no.

I don’t disagree completely. But the Flames’ PK is extremely plug and play. Ward and co deploy a very passive strategy so it often leaves Lindholm very stationary.

I often find myself cringing when I see someone loading up a slapshot while he’s in the shooting lane. The last thing this team needs is for him to break a foot or a hand blocking a shot when someone could be standing there.

I’d still like to see the team try it to see if there’s a discernible difference at even strength especially if this team is going to continue their march to the penalty box.


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[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Every fan base thinks their team didn't care, didn't try, couldn't bother.

Guessing every fan base is wrong.

The other team makes adjustments, and hockey is a flow game, if you can't find that flow it's a tough night. The Flames powerplay just couldn't get untracked.

Pretty much the truth. Fans never give the opposition enough credit even though they’re paid to play too and want to win just as a bad.

I give Winnipeg huge credit for the last game. Their forecheck made life incredibly difficult for the Flames break out. Ward will make adjustments today and we’ll see how the team responds.

I don’t think momentum carries over from game to game, so I expect a big effort from the Flames today.


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[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Every fan base thinks their team didn't care, didn't try, couldn't bother.

Guessing every fan base is wrong.

The other team makes adjustments, and hockey is a flow game, if you can't find that flow it's a tough night. The Flames powerplay just couldn't get untracked.

Agreed for the most part. Though this year I have heard some national media personalities chiming in on this too. Comments like 'something looks off with the Flames' aren't uncommon, so I do think even to the non-fan eye, something is awry and people are noticing it.

[SebC]

I'd be curious how much sports those who say "team didn't care enough" have played. Do you lose your rec league games because you don't care enough? I would say that I have, but only in the sense that I do not care enough to have a workout/practice/dietary regimen that would have me reach my theoretical maximum performance. I can't really recall a single game where I've thought "I could've won that but I didn't really want to".

Admittedly, the physical cost of the sports I've played is only self-exertion. Perhaps hockey, where you can be regularly assaulted by other players, is different.

I am not being facetious here. It's a genuine question.

[foofighter15]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Every fan base thinks their team didn't care, didn't try, couldn't bother.

Guessing every fan base is wrong.

The other team makes adjustments, and hockey is a flow game, if you can't find that flow it's a tough night. The Flames powerplay just couldn't get untracked.

Couldn't be anymore accurate. If there is one thing I've learned from Gaskal's ATL posts is every team
-is picked on by the refs
-has bad puck luck
-has a top end player under performing that should be traded before its too late
-questionable goaltending (even teams with top 5 goalies)
-has bottom 6 players that for some reason don't play as well and consistently as top 6 players
-a couple "garbage ahl" players on their 4th line that couldn't even score in the local beer leagues

It's obviously very frustrating being a Flames fan with our lack of playoff success, but basically all of our issues are the same as everyone else. Even the cup winning team usually has these issues too, just lesser so.

[AC]

^Don't forget every team seems to always get scored on by a rookie for their 1st NHL goal, or get embarrassed by a rookie goalie for their first win/shutout.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by foofighter15

Couldn't be anymore accurate. If there is one thing I've learned from Gaskal's ATL posts is every team
-is picked on by the refs
-has bad puck luck
-has a top end player under performing that should be traded before its too late
-questionable goaltending (even teams with top 5 goalies)
-has bottom 6 players that for some reason don't play as well and consistently as top 6 players
-a couple "garbage ahl" players on their 4th line that couldn't even score in the local beer leagues

It's obviously very frustrating being a Flames fan with our lack of playoff success, but basically all of our issues are the same as everyone else. Even the cup winning team usually has these issues too, just lesser so.

True. There's two teams on the ice and the team that dictates the game looks like they care, while the other might be trying as hard as they can, but not putting it all together.

That said, I still think the Flames have effort and consistency issues where they don't put it all together on a night in/night out basis.

[Enoch Root]

Those things are all true.

But it doesn't negate the fact that the Flames have underperformed their talent level, are soft mentally, and are playing a slow, plodding style instead of an up-tempo transition game that makes them more successful.

[McG]

Were we the home team yesterday with last change? If we were, the coaches need to shoulder a greater responsibility for the result. In a tight series, line matchups matter. I’m hoping that the jets had home ice yesterday, in which case Winnipeg effectively chose the line combination and matchups that they wanted.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by McG

Were we the home team yesterday with last change? If we were, the coaches need to shoulder a greater responsibility for the result. In a tight series, line matchups matter. I’m hoping that the jets had home ice yesterday, in which case Winnipeg effectively chose the line combination and matchups that they wanted.

We are home games for 1, 2, and if necessary 5.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by McG

Were we the home team yesterday with last change? .

Correct, Jet's are now the home team for the next two.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Those things are all true.

But it doesn't negate the fact that the Flames have underperformed their talent level, are soft mentally, and are playing a slow, plodding style instead of an up-tempo transition game that makes them more successful.

I have zero issue with poking at the strategy or mental toughness of the team ... or even the willingness to go to the tough areas.

I just cringe when I see "mailed it in", "Don't give AF", "out worked" ... rarely the case.

[Bingo]

Can't believe we have to watch the team wear those hideous white jerseys again when there is a perfectly nice set in their locker room in Calgary.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I have zero issue with poking at the strategy or mental toughness of the team ... or even the willingness to go to the tough areas.

I just cringe when I see "mailed it in", "Don't give AF", "out worked" ... rarely the case.

How do Gaudreau and Monahan end up with 2 SOG, total, and zero grade A scoring opportunities while being major contributors to the Flames going 0 - 6 on the PP?

Should there not be vastly higher expectations for those 2, as well as Matt?

It’s remarkable to me that the Jets are missing their top 2 forwards to injury, and the Flames top 2 or 3 forwards come up with abysmal performances.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by timbit

How do Gaudreau and Monahan end up with 2 SOG, total, and zero grade A scoring opportunities while being major contributors to the Flames going 0 - 6 on the PP?

Should there not be vastly higher expectations for those 2, as well as Matt?

It’s remarkable to me that the Jets are missing their top 2 forwards to injury, and the Flames top 2 or 3 forwards come up with abysmal performances.

I don't see myself as not criticizing ... I'm just not going to the effort thing.

I thought Gaudreau especially, but Monahan to a lesser extent had more jam in game two five on five.

The powerplay was a mess but I wouldn't hang it on any one player.

Carve away on execution, willingness to go to the tough areas and mental toughness ... I just don't see mailing it in as a likely reason.