[PGT] Predators 2 - Flames 0

[combustiblefuel]

Need to take a page out of Nashville playbook. We have depth on the back end comimg up the pipeline.

Traded Weber for another Dman

Traded Jones for sniper

[AC]

Originally Posted by FBI

Agree with everything, except that is not the definition of insanity. Pet peeve of mine. It's how Einstein described insanity.

That part isn't true either.

http://www.businessinsider.com/misat...quotes-2013-10

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Need to take a page out of Nashville playbook. We have depth on the back end comimg up the pipeline.

Traded Weber for another Dman

Traded Jones for sniper

I wonder if Nashville coaching staff is GG, Cameron and Jerrard, will those trades work out the same way.

[taxbuster]

Once again, watched the game on "silent" (Randorf/Debrusk? Ick.)

Thought the Flames played decently - but not well - for most of the game. Their shots were far too much from perimeter, low % locations, poor angles. Yes, they got 4 bars...well, it's still hard to win games with zero goals, now isn't it.

It isn't how "close" you get - the pucks still need to go in and that's on the players. But they look like they are thinking WAY too much on the PP and their hustle level at times is far less than I'd like to see - they get beaten to far too many 50/50 pucks. Too much thinking allows the D and the goalie to get set on the PP. They need to move the puck more, and a heck of a lot faster. That 5-on-3 was awful (like the others).

Frustrating for them - equally, and maybe more for frustrating for us, as fans.

Methinks Cameron's gotta go - he just seems devoid of fresh ideas.

35 points in 33 games - and only 3 games until the break. Suspect changes if the Flames are below .500 or show no improvement by then. Too much longer and they have no (realistic) chance to come back.

[zamler]

The real definition of insanity is continuing to allow Dave Cameron to run the PP.

[Infinit47]

Wasn't able to watch the game, but it sounded frustrating. The stubbornness of this coaching staff defies belief.

I'm starting to think GG is one of those people who talks an amazing game, but can never deliver.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by FBI

Agree with everything, except that is not the definition of insanity. Pet peeve of mine. It's how Einstein described insanity.

Its 2017 how do people keep believing this

[Ryan Coke]

I haven’t been impressed with Gulutzan and would be happy have him gone, but that is some bad luck as well. They outplayed the Preds, but didn’t get the bounces. I’m afraid instead of sticking with until things turn, they may just lay an egg here soon.

It really goes back to that game against the Oil, IMO, they came out very poor in an important and very winnable game, and have been trying to find traction ever since.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

The Flames may not currently be in a playoff spot, but you can’t tell me they aren’t playing like a top 8 team in the west.

The good teams bury their chances

[IamNotKenKing]

We were neck and neck with one of the best teams in the league. Another “we coulda but didn’t” game though. It’s getting frustrating and hard to be positive...

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Or would you like to discuss the actual score and why we lost? Crazy eh

Well yeah it is crazy. He wanted to discuss the stat line since he didn't watch the game. It's hard to discuss why they lost based only on the stat line. Especially when the stat line favours the losing team.

0/5

That's why they lost IMO. But I watched the game.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by AC

That part isn't true either.

http://www.businessinsider.com/misat...quotes-2013-10

Learn something new every day.

Thanks for that link.

[Chonger]

I would hate to see this team have to play 4 playoffs games against Nashville. Or any team. Fire GG

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Flamesfan2010]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Not sure if anyone saw the graphic, but it said "Nashville Predators points after 31 games last year was 33."

Flames have 35 after 33.

We all know how the Preds did last year and where they are now.

I'm not trying to say the Flames are on the fast track to making a run to Game 6 of the SCF, more pointing out how things change in this league. I'm sure Preds fans wanted Laviolette out last year after their start. I'm sure fans were worried about a lost season. Things change and this is a long ass season.

The Flames aren't out of the playoff mix. They're not doomed if they don't make a change right now.

For as hot as their scoring was a few weeks ago, they are as cold right now. They out played the best team in the Western conference, hit 4 posts and couldn't buy a goal tonight. It sucks that it happened, but these are the ups and downs of a season. It's just the nature of this marathon that is a season.

To say they didn't play well tonight is foolish on your part. And right now, it should be more about how they're playing. They have undeniably turned a corner in their own end in the last couple of weeks and while it looks like it's come at the expense of scoring, they are still creating the chances. Pucks will go in.

If they can figure out the powerplay, they will win a lot more of these close games then they have lately

[djsFlames]

Zero breaks for a couple weeks now. Hard to care too much when 10 minutes in you can tell exactly how the night is gonna go. Still think if these players were more confident they wouldn't be hitting posts or missing like they are. Just a team that looks like they know they're going to get snuffed if it starts going that way early and bobble the puck in prime areas the rest of the night because of it.

Need some Hartley belief along with that GG structured 5 on 5 play. Too bad we're stuck with merely the latter and a very bad PP.

[dino7c]

Flames need more skill upfront...Brouwer is a terrible option for the PP but its not like there is much to choose from

[Jeff Lebowski]

I watched Gulutzan's post game comments. Can't argue with most of what he said:
Played well, can't score, PP needs to produce.

I agree with the sentiment about how you're playing vs results. They are keeping chances against down but you need to score. It's a broken record but sticking with PP is where I disagree. There needs to be some change no matter how small IMO. I respect that he must be frustrated but doesn't show it. Hopefully the can get on a long winning streak to balance out this current lack of finish. I mean 4 posts?! This was a generally good game

The bottom line is the team is underachieving in the standings. They need to answer.

[Barca]

reading a lot of fire coaches trade x player but how has treleving avoided criticism in all of this?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Barca

reading a lot of fire coaches trade x player but how has treleving avoided criticism in all of this?

Because it's too soon to judge. If the team misses the playoffs with the current staff or a replacement staff, he'll be getting those critiques.

It's still up in the air right now.

[Calgary4LIfe]

The good:

Flames pushed the pace a lot.
Smith was good.
Ferland was riled-up and not taking crap from anyone.
Flames protected Smith with all those late whistles - nice to see.
Brouwer sticking up for Hathaway without hesitation.
Flames were playing some pretty good D.

The Bad.
Zero goals.
Zero goals on 5 pps.
Zero goals even with a 5 on 3 PP.

Yes, they hit 4 goal posts. Those are misses. The Flames either shot wide or they shot it right at Rinne's crest (or head one time).

They need to start generating more offence at home-plate. That's the problem. They need to start jamming the net. Get some greasy goals. Move around a lot more on the PPs, pass the puck a bit more (and I mean more than just back and forth between two players). They are predictable on the PP.

Want to fix the PP? Get some guys in front of the net, shoot the puck on net, and use the man advantage to get a greasy goal.

Next PP I would love to see the following on the 2nd unit:
Bennett - Jagr - Ferland
Giordano - Brodie

Brodie can make great passes to the forwards, Giordano does have a nice shot that has to be respected, thus pulling at least one forward towards him, and just get a puck on net and have Bennett, Jagr and Ferland jamming away at it. Simple greasy pressure.

These perimeter shots are only making the players clutch their sticks harder and lose confidence. It seems like everyone's shot is a bit off right now. Simplify the game, and let the natural talent of the team take over. Get this team to battle more in front of the net.

1st unit PP should be:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk - Jankowski
Hamilton

Tkachuk right in front of the goalie. Jankowski right at the side of the net. Monahan circling in the slot, puck on Gaudreau's stick, and Hamilton ready to tee-off. Jankowski can retrieve pucks along the boards - he can skate well, has a long reach, and great IQ, and he can also make great passes. He can be set for a tap-in as well, and if it misses, hopefully Tkachuk can get a greasy goal.

Last thing I want to see on a PP is what I saw for a while - puck carrier behind the net, one guy 10 feet away and covered the left of the goalie, another guy 10 feet away and covered, and two players playing the point at the blueline. Everyone standing still. Exactly how are you supposed to score there?

Simplify the PP. Just attack the net and use the man-advantage. Just battle more.

5 on 5 I felt the Flames did really well, but the 2nd period was a gong-show. I felt they got severely out-played and out-muscled by Nashville. Nashville turned it up, and I saw a team that was almost rattled for a long stretch.

They are just playing too much of a perimeter game at the moment. I don't know if that is a symptom from the system - maybe too worried about coverage on D? Maybe they are just wanting to get that perfect shot in? Maybe they are just second-guessing everything out there and it completely slows the PP down.

Gaudreau is losing the puck too often now too. Monahan's elite shot has become as effective as Brouwer's lately. I am betting this is a symptom of just losing some confidence and being a bit rattled.

It is really difficult to criticize them for playing an otherwise really good game. I anticipated Nashville being the team that would be pushing the pace more in this game, but the Flames really controlled play, especially in the first period. I thought they really started well, finished-up decently, but the 2nd (or at least, a long stretch in the 2nd) was the game. They are not getting the job done on the PP, and they are not generating enough high-danger chances 5 on 5. Now, I have no idea what the actual number of high-danger chances were, but it seems like to me that not all high-danger chances are actually high-danger. I want more 2nd and 3rd and 4th chances off a shot from in-tight. Scramble plays. Just attack the crease more to generate chances. That's what I mean in this case of not generating enough high-danger quality chances, ignoring for a moment what the analytics community records what a high-danger chance was.

You can't fire a coach when the team is playing this well otherwise. Nobody can look at this team and say: "They aren't playing well" right now. However, nobody can look at this team and say: "The coach isn't on the hot seat" or "the coach is safe". A loss is a loss is a loss. Flames are 5th worst in the west, they own a -10 goal differential, and they are losing ground, not gaining. Anaheim with all their injury woes are a point up on the Flames now. That is a team that has been missing huge parts of their team, not just injuries to replacement level players. Their top players have been rotating out of the lineup for long stretches, and yet they are sitting a point ahead of the incredibly healthy Flames.

At some point, something has to give. Something needs to change. Something has to be done. It is not ok to play well and lose for a long stretch. You also can't pull the plug on something too soon when it LOOKS like the team is playing well. Tough job for Treliving here. You don't want to make a knee-jerk trade. You don't want to fire a coach when the team overall seems to be playing effectively. You also can't sit on your hands and just keep watching these losses add up either, especially when the Flames have already traded away their participation ribbon at the start of the season (their draft pick).

They need to start getting the wins, regardless of what the CORSI numbers are, regardless of how well they look like, regardless of how much they out-play the other team. If they keep doing this, changes will be made, for better or for worse.