[PGT] Sabres Payback

[TheAlpineOracle]

I like the third line a lot better with Neal. The results aren’t there but it just seems much deeper.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I think Eichel fooled everyone there including Gio. Had been on the ice forever. Played it like he was exhausted and then just blew by everyone. Very impressive.

Gio was probably tired too - had been on a while. Otherwise he maybe closes the gap a bit more and gets a stick out.

Just one of those games IMO. Sabres got good/lucky goaltending, the Flames were a little loose a few times and they capitalized on a very small amount of chances. Tips, huge screens and a very good shot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I like the third line a lot better with Neal. The results aren’t there but it just seems much deeper.

Meh. I thought Czarnik ran around a lot but didn't accomplish much. And he was benched in favour of Ryan on that line in the third. Hathaway and Mangiapane sat too, so essentially Peters went with three lines but not with Czarnik.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Meh. I thought Czarnik ran around a lot but didn't accomplish much. And he was benched in favour of Ryan on that line in the third. Hathaway and Mangiapane sat too, so essentially Peters went with three lines but not with Czarnik.

Playing Mangiapane on the 4th line serves no purpose. Send him down to play top minutes and give Lazar a crack at the 4th line.

[DomeFoam]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Yes, they do, but at the same time, this is a tick in his 'bad game' column -- and if we're counting them for Smith, as we seem to be, well, we have to apply it to Rittich as well. Is he still the team's best option in net? Absolutely. But after this one, Smith has to get the next start.

Alright enough with the contradictory posts. Rittich should get the next start to redeem himself. Smith is still a horrible goaltender and should not see the net every other game.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Playing Mangiapane on the 4th line serves no purpose. Send him down to play too minutes and give Lazar a crack at the 4th line.

He sure hasn't shown that he belongs on any line at this point.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DomeFoam

Alright enough with the contradictory posts. Rittich should get the next start to redeem himself. Smith is still a horrible goaltender and should not see the net every other game.

Next is the Wings and then the Oilers BTB. Are they playing Rittich both? I kinda doubt it, so give Smith Detroit.

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by DomeFoam

Alright enough with the contradictory posts. Rittich should get the next start to redeem himself. Smith is still a horrible goaltender and should not see the net every other game.

You would have to think that the plan is to play Smith vs Detroit on friday and Rittich vs Edmonton on saturday in the back-to-back. Rittich is more than welcome to redeem himself against the Oilers.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Next is the Wings and then the Oilers BTB. Are they playing Rittich both? I kinda doubt it, so give Smith Detroit.

Whomever is best against breakaways should play against the Oilers seeing as how our D likes to watch McJesus skate around them every time we play the Coilers.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by DomeFoam

Alright enough with the contradictory posts. Rittich should get the next start to redeem himself. Smith is still a horrible goaltender and should not see the net every other game.

Smith will start one of the back to back games....Either Detroit or in Edmonton.

[DomeFoam]

Fair enough, I'm just tired of people saying Smith should be given starts when Rittich's worst night is not unlike some of Smith's best. He should be on waivers.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Meh... can't win them all. Ullmark was good tonight. Sabres got a few bounces. I do think that the Flames need to tighten up a bit defensively, but they weren't bad. Just bad bounces. You burn the tape and move on.


Prout is a serviceable depth defencemen.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Bunk

By some weird fluke, I ended up hanging out with Johnny a bit after the game in this box (I guess it must have been a raffle prize or something), but was chatting with him - I joked a bit "a quiet night for you of late - two points". He says "It should have been three. I should have shot that one in overtime. gah!"

Friendly guy.

Hit his 3rd 70+ point season already tonight. 359 Points in 360 games.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I would prefer Rittich start on Friday. Give him a chance to rebuild some confidence. Let Smith have Edmonton and see where he’s at. Saturday has potential to go south. Second half of back to back and 3rd game in 4 days. If it does, would prefer Rittich wasn’t in for it.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Whomever is best against breakaways should play against the Oilers seeing as how our D likes to watch McJesus skate around them every time we play the Coilers.

Not in their last few matches, they didn't. Are you forgetting the Flames embarrassed the Oilers back in November when they scored 4 unanswered goals and hemmed them in their own zone for the entire 3rd period?

The next match in December, the Oilers only managed to score 1 goal in a game where Calgary was missing their top shutdown D man and best defensive forward.

Come to think of it, didn't the Flames also win the previous two games going back to last season as well? And if I remember correctly, McDoofus was pretty much a non-factor in those games as well.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Not in their last few matches, they didn't. Are you forgetting the Flames embarrassed the Oilers back in November when they scored 4 unanswered goals and hemmed them in their own zone for the entire 3rd period?

The next match in December, the Oilers only managed to score 1 goal in a game where Calgary was missing their top shutdown D man and best defensive forward.

Come to think of it, didn't the Flames also win the previous two games going back to last season as well? And if I remember correctly, McDoofus was pretty much a non-factor in those games as well.

I still have flashbacks from the Gulutzan years.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'm sorry, but David Rittich has to be better there. He allowed goals on the last three shots he faced, plus a couple posts.

Ya... ok.. one was a deflected puck ...one was a buffullo player with an uncontested screen ... one was a perfect shot top corner by Jack Eichel....

I think some of the Flames fan base is getting a little too spoiled this season and are not seeing things clearly as they would in the past.

[Kybb79]

Oilers suck we will blow them out.

[AC]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Seeing that #11 ref shaking his head no after Chucky got high sticked still has my blood boiling.

I don't think the stick hit Tkachuk on second watch.

They showed a replay during the 2nd intermission and it looks like it waves in front of him and Chucky tried to sell it.

[AC]

The Dahlin hipcheck interference at the end of regulation was complete BS however.