Flames fall 3-2 to the cargo planes

[Toonage]

They play the Sens in a few weeks, so we'll see where each team is at that time. But if they were to match up right now? The Sens are the division's whipping boys but I still wouldn't be filled with confidence. As has been noted, between slow starts and the Flames often playing down to opponents I'd be concerned it wouldn't be the sure thing cure all we all expect.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

If Ottawa is going to have success against any team this season it's likely going to be the Flames. The Flames are struggling to score 5 on 5 and have a penchant for giving up early leads. This is exactly what provides the Senators with their best opportunity to win games. I can't be the only person here that is dreading when these teams meet because of the likely disappointment.

Calgary has only played TO, Montreal, Vancouver, and Winnipeg...and pounded Vancouver.

Hard to compare stats with teams that have played the no good teams multiple times.

[PegCityFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Red

Time to lighten up and maybe you won't take every post so literally. It clearly upsets you.

That's asking a lot from him.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Toonage

They play the Sens in a few weeks, so we'll see where each team is at that time. But if they were to match up right now? The Sens are the division's whipping boys but I still wouldn't be filled with confidence. As has been noted, between slow starts and the Flames often playing down to opponents I'd be concerned it wouldn't be the sure thing cure all we all expect.

Thing is, Sens have been so bad that the Flames need to steamroll through them just to keep pace with their competition for the playoffs.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Red

Time to lighten up and maybe you won't take every post so literally. It clearly upsets you.

It is impossible to detect sarcasm in this thread, as clearly illustrated by a few posters who are honestly concerned about how the Flames will play in games v. the Senators.

[Toonage]

So the issues that have plagued this Flames team for years will suddenly disappear just because they are playing the Sens? I genuinely hope thats the case, but you'd have to be ignoring a big chunk of this team's history to just look past the possibility.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Thing is, Sens have been so bad that the Flames need to steamroll through them just to keep pace with their competition for the playoffs.

Such hyperbole. The Flames have an identical winning percentage and a better goal differential to the Oilers who are presently manning the #4 playoff spot.

Originally Posted by dino7c

Calgary has only played TO, Montreal, Vancouver, and Winnipeg...and pounded Vancouver.

Hard to compare stats with teams that have played the no good teams multiple times.

It is not just the level of the competition. Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton have played six, seven and eight home games respectively. The Flames have played four.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Thing is, Sens have been so bad that the Flames need to steamroll through them just to keep pace with their competition for the playoffs.

Vancouver is under .500 despite playing them 3 times
Edmonton is .500 and have beat them twice

Calgary is .500

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think this and your other post were absolutely correct.

I think Leivo has been steadily improving, Backlund and Ryan had their best games last outing and Bennett was good the game before. Dube needs to be tried out on the top line - he’s fast, has some offensive instincts, works hard in the corners and has some defensive ability. Valimaki has played more and more confidently.

Lucic needs to be given some video time. He is doing a few things well, but his mistakes have been huge.

The only players I have been really disappointed with are Leivo, Simon, Lucic, Nordstrom, Ryan, guys can't bring an ounce of any shred of offensive ability...watching them play you can see why they only have 2 goals...most nights they don't even generate anything remotely dangerous in the offensive zone...this team needs better 3rd and 4th liners, the top two lines are simply not talented enough to carry the rest off the team on their backs, we don't have the luxury of having a McDavid or draisaitl to make up for medicore 3rd and 4th lines.

Mang, Dube, and Bennett have been ok, but clearly not playing to their potential...and honestly how many times does Mang fall in a game...every shift the guys falls down. Completely destroys any momentum in a shift.

The defense and goal tending have been rock solid...this team will live and die with their goal tending and commitment to team defence, we simply don't have the depth up front to compete with the offensive juggernaut teams in our division, ie Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Vancouver

[CroFlames]

While I'm glad to have hockey back, I am not a fan of these baseball style miniseries. Before everyone jumps down my throat, yes I understand the circumstances.

I just get bored playing the same team a few times in a row.

I will never take the Minnesota Wild on a Tuesday night in January for granted ever again.

[TheIronMaiden]

At what point do the Flames try and slot in a player from their AHL or Taxi squad to try and solve their bottom 6 problem.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Such hyperbole. The Flames have an identical winning percentage and a better goal differential to the Oilers who are presently manning the #4 playoff spot.

Hyperbole? All teams have played different opponents so far, so if you want to compare records you look at head to head and common opponents.

Everyone is beating the Sens. If you don’t beat them, you’re losing ground to the competition. Playing the Sens and winning allows you to keep pace. Beating other teams head to head allows you to separate from the pack.

It’s still early in the season and the Flames are in the thick of the playoff race. It’s a little early for you to get so defensive, no?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

So the issues that have plagued this Flames team for years will suddenly disappear just because they are playing the Sens? I genuinely hope thats the case, but you'd have to be ignoring a big chunk of this team's history to just look past the possibility.

No, I don't really think that is the point. Rather, the point is that with all the problems the Flames have their situation is not dire given how other at least as equally flawed teams have feasted on the Senators. The Flames are presently a 0.500 team without having played a single game against them, and they have a positive goal differential. Under the same conditions ...
· Winnipeg is 0.500 with a minus-3 differential
· Edmonton is 0.400 with a minus-6 differential
· Vancouver is 0.300 with a minus-16 differential

It is not that their problems will disappear; it is rather that the sort of pessimism surrounding the team is ridiculously premature, and their record and position in the Standings is at least partly reflective of the schedule.

[dino7c]

Flames have had the hardest schedule in the entire NHL for quality of opponent...let's see where they stand in a month. They have played one bubble team and pounded them. Also the only team to beat Montreal in regulation.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Vancouver is under .500 despite playing them 3 times
Edmonton is .500 and have beat them twice

Calgary is .500

Correct.

Montreal is 7-1-2 and hasn’t played Ottawa.

Is your point that early in the season, Calgary looks better than Vancouver? Couldn’t agree more. Beat them twice head to head which speaks for itself.

Calgary and Edmonton? I could see their season series deciding who makes the playoffs.

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

At what point do the Flames try and slot in a player from their AHL or Taxi squad to try and solve their bottom 6 problem.

I would agree with you, the current crop is not doing anything remotely close to good enough

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Correct.

Montreal is 7-1-2 and hasn’t played Ottawa.

Is your point that early in the season, Calgary looks better than Vancouver? Couldn’t agree more. Beat them twice head to head which speaks for itself.

Calgary and Edmonton? I could see their season series deciding who makes the playoffs.

My point is Calgary doesn't need to sweep the Sens to keep pace...that would put them above pace

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Flames have had the hardest schedule in the entire NHL for quality of opponent...let's see where they stand in a month. They have played one bubble team and pounded them. Also the only team to beat Montreal in regulation.

Comparing schedules outside your division is meaningless.
Flames have gained ground on Vancouver.
Lost ground to Winnipeg and Toronto.
It’s a push with the Habs.

It’s still so early. Flames even the season series with Jets with a clean win tomorrow night. A clean loss and they’re in a hole.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Comparing schedules outside your division is meaningless.
Flames have gained ground on Vancouver.
Lost ground to Winnipeg and Toronto.
It’s a push with the Habs.

It’s still so early. Flames even the season series with Jets with a clean win tomorrow night. A clean loss and they’re in a hole.

Hardest schedule in the division would put them ahead of the Oilers pace too IMO. This season top 4 is all that matters. Honestly the playoff matchups will be even. Again let's see where they are in a month.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Correct.

Montreal is 7-1-2 and hasn’t played Ottawa.

Is your point that early in the season, Calgary looks better than Vancouver? Couldn’t agree more. Beat them twice head to head which speaks for itself.

Calgary and Edmonton? I could see their season series deciding who makes the playoffs.

Do you see Winnipeg as a lock? I tend to think the season series between all three of these teams will decide things. The Jets have not registered a regulation win in the Saddledome since 2014, so I think the Flames are in decent shape despite surrendering points to the Jets in all three of their games in Winnipeg so far. After tomorrow the series shifts entirely back to Calgary.