[PGT] Flames 2 Canucks 4

[Wastedyouth]

Gaudreau should be playing with Backlund. Those two and Hudler would be a hoot to watch.

[Racki]

nm

[Ashasx]

As far as I can tell, this is actually Jay Feaster

Jay Feaster ‏@therealjfeaster
So many things I would like to say re: @NHLFlames loss tonight & no new contract for Hartley, but as Mom always said, if 0 nice 2 say, say 0

[PeteMoss]

HEre are some 'fancy' stats for the game for those curious - http://war-on-ice.com/game.html?seas...=2014201520003

Gio continues to be a beast by those.

Gaudreau needs to play with someone with better balance than Colborne. You need to be in a position where you are always ready to get the puck and shot when playing with him and Colborne like most big guys tends to be off-balance slightly a lot of the time. I don't really know if we have a centre like that on the roster right now but Stajan may be an option.

I was pleasantly surprised with Bollig. He looked much better than he did in the preseason. We will be more physical this year with him (6 hits) and Engelland (5 hits)

[calumniate]

Thought their cycle hemmed us in way too much. Nucks looked more organized, but we were definitely line juggling. Entertaining enough game overall

[lanny9]

My only thought on the game was, who the hell picked the three stars and were they watching the same game as me? I mean the most noticeable player on both teams was Gaudreau by far imo, always dangerous with the puck. May have started slow but once he got his legs under him he was easily the best Flame and better than the sisters for sure. He may not have gotten any points but he tried to put the team on his back in his second game in the league.

It honestly scares me to think how good he'll become down the road as he develops and the team brings in more talent that can think the game at a higher speed, ie Bennett, think those two on the same line would be magic!

[flambers]

I thought the Flames had moments, but clearly scoring is going to be an issue. Power-play has to produce for the Flames to win those close games....

Flames goaltender was really good.... Some of the saves were outstanding.

Backlund line had a really tough night.... Raymond really struggled.

Liked the Colborne line.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

A lot of positives for this game as mentioned. Gaudreau was his usual self, had a few quality shots and is just the master of keeping plays alive or developing anything into a scoring opportunity.

Backlund definitely looked like he missed the preseason, but he looks like a first like centre in preseason form if that makes any sense. I think hes going to have his best year and will be splitting 1st line duties with Monahan this season.

Hartley must be clueless as to how effective Glencross used to be or he'd be trying to get Glencross to change his game back. The guy is starting to remind me of Rene Bourque. A disinterested power forward who lets his line mates do the forechecking while he blindly passes the puck to the opposition. The guy still manages to get so many scoring chances every game, I just don't understand it. At least he was physical last night.

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

HEre are some 'fancy' stats for the game for those curious - http://war-on-ice.com/game.html?seas...=2014201520003

Gio continues to be a beast by those.

Gaudreau needs to play with someone with better balance than Colborne. You need to be in a position where you are always ready to get the puck and shot when playing with him and Colborne like most big guys tends to be off-balance slightly a lot of the time. I don't really know if we have a centre like that on the roster right now but Stajan may be an option.

Worth noting that Backlund has had really strong possession stats the last couple seasons. I suppose that means little compared to the opinion of Where ru Chris O'Sullivan and "several other posters".

I don't think Colborne at center will last. He struggled there last year and early signs don't suggest much improvement. I think they keep trying to force it because of his size. I'd prefer to play Stajan up in the lineup with Colborne at wing and Bouma centering the 4th line.

[smiggy77]

yeah definitely gaudreau looked really solid out there. first period seemed a tad nervous but then after every shift he was on, you know he is there.

Monahan looked good too. Glencross looked slowwwww

[hummdeedoo]

Originally Posted by robaur

64 points probably gets us to a connor mcdavid or jack eichel so we need to lose a 100 points this season.

2/100 gone. we are 2% of the way there.

If this is all you have to offer in PGT thread - please don't bother posting.

[Weitz]

Was at the game last night.

Thought Glencross had an awesome game, should have potted a few goals but overall played well.

Johnny played ok offensively I thought. Really needs to work on defense. I think when he makes a pass people get all excited and look over the rest of his game.

Some beauty saves by Hiller but he also looked a little shaky. First game jitters I imagine.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Johnny played ok offensively I thought. Really needs to work on defense. I think when he makes a pass people get all excited and look over the rest of his game.

I agree. He makes great passes and has a definite knack for finding the open man or creating opportunities. When Vancouver had the puck sometimes it looked like he didn't really know what to do though. Sometimes he also seemed a step behind, but that may have been more due to how fast Byron is. Once some of the other parts of his game start to come together though I think he'll be really good.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Gaudreau may have been a bit lost defensively in this game (really who wasn't), but if you've seen him in prior games it's nothing to worry about. He's great at back checking and picking pockets due to his amazing stick work. He had 3 recorded turnovers in one of the preseason games and hopefully we'll see more of that tonight. It was probably an adjustment for him now that he's no longer the small speedy forward on his line.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

As far as I can tell, this is actually Jay Feaster

Jay Feaster ‏@therealjfeaster
So many things I would like to say re: @NHLFlames loss tonight & no new contract for Hartley, but as Mom always said, if 0 nice 2 say, say 0

It's him alright. Not sure what he is chirping here. I get the Hartley thing. But what are the "so many things" he wants to say about the loss? Always looks bad when you are bitter about the company/guy who fired you.

[gvitaly]

It looked like the typical season opener. It seemed like there was a lot of rust at the beginning, which got better as the game went on. Here are some of my thoughts:

• Hiller was simply ok. He had a few nice glove saves, especially when the shots were low glove, but he fumbled the puck a few times when the shooters went high glove. Also, he had a bit of a difficulty tracking the puck a couple of times, but it is all to be expected since it is only game 1.
• Both Burrows and Bieksa are still pricks... Burrows especially is only willing to drop the gloves with skilled wingers(or when its a 2 on 1). I was really hoping one of our tough guys would feed him some fists during the third period.
• The Flames got some great looks in the first, too bad they didn't capitalize on the 5 on 3; and the odd man rushes.
• Faceoffs were great, I really think that the extra distance between the wingers helps out the Flames in terms of faceoffs.
• Zone entry was a bit of a problem... I noticed Raymond especially enter the zone and have no one to pass to on more than one occasion, which ended up in a low percentage shot; meanwhile his linemates went for a change.
  • Stretch passes were easily interrupted
  • Trying to split the D didn't work after the first period
  • Dump and chase became dump and change for most of the game
• Props to Vancouver for blocking most of our shots from the blue line, and paying special attention to Giordano. Offense from deflections and rebounds will be a key to the Flames scoring this season.
• The Giordano-Brodie pairing as well as the Colborne line were the best for the Flames. Stajan also looked sharp and was noticeable every time he was on the ice.
• For the most part it was a good game, I especially enjoyed it when all the Flames were finishing their checks. Our forwards just need a bit more time to get used to each other and convert more great set-ups into goals.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Colborne should be moved back to the wing. He plays better there.
Gaudreau needs a better center than Colborne. Put JG with Monahan.

Agreed. Not sure why you wouldn't put the two most talented forwards we have on the same line.

They are young though. Could get pinned often.

[Badgers Nose]

Was a fun game, my guest was a YVR fan. So he was pretty happy.

Eng only made one galring mistake, when he rushed and got caught on wrong end for a Vancouver 2 on 1.

JG looked good, outlet passes to him were terribad. By end of game was making his own opportunities.

Liked Backlund trying to maul Burrows. Like Ern saying 'Boo!' to Stanton at end of the 2nd.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

It's him alright. Not sure what he is chirping here. I get the Hartley thing. But what are the "so many things" he wants to say about the loss? Always looks bad when you are bitter about the company/guy who fired you.

we would have won with Sven...

he reads this board and misses the attention.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Agreed. Not sure why you wouldn't put the two most talented forwards we have on the same line.

They are young though. Could get pinned often.

I suppose they could get pinned but so what. This is a good season for them to learn. It's not as if a few mistakes are going to cost us a playoff spot.