[PGT] Flames lose to the Blues 4-1

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Monahan is still facing really easy minutes so he's really not slotting in nicely yet. Brodie is the only one who has excelled so far.

I'm just saying that I'm jealous of their ability to be both a good team while still getting strong performances out of young players. They are built not just to contend, but to sustain their play over many years.

Schwartz and Tarasenko aren't on the top lines either.

Tarasenko in particular gets more offensive zone starts (or at least did last year) that almost any player in the league.

[AcGold]

Last year we started out amazingly, 2nd or 3rd in the league and then it took 3 months to find our mojo again. With so many new players, injuries and a flu bug hitting the team it's no surprise they look so bad. I have faith they still turn it around, Mcdavid won't help for years so let's win this year. Next game Monahan should try sneezing on people

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by chubeyr1

Surprised? Not at all!

The fact Hiller kept it somewhat respectable was amazing. I am not a Hiller fan, nor hater. Ramo would of lost this game by the same score.

I take comfort saying goaltending is not an issue! Big plus! Goalies have been stellar.

Setoguchi and Engelland! Opening minute of the game was hilarious. Kinda feel sorry for setoguchi. He is the whipping boy, and that just made it so easy to hate him. I don't think he belongs on this team, but seriously, it was a fluke how things happened. It looked awful. I would give him 20 games before judging. Yet a couple more games like this, it wont take 20!

We were outmatched tonight. I also believe the line combos play a part in this. I also believe ST Louis is just a better team.

As for Gaudreau? Love the kid. Belongs on the big team. Yet question whether a year in the minors will serve him well. We are gonna suck this year, don't want him part of the suck fest.

Colborne? Amazed at his growth. Guy is totally impressing me, and has zero chemistry with Gaudreau. Colborne has looked great. Yet these two guys on the same line just don't work. Colborne has really impressed me. Using his body his size, and also his speed and when I say speed, he is impressing me. He is a young kid doing it right! I think he should be a winger but he is impressing me none the less. Last year I hated how slow he looked. First couple of steps. He looks good!

I have been drinking though. Think I will for most of the season. I will still enjoy it though!

So how do you really feel about Colborne?

; )

[PugnaciousIntern]

To put things straight - Gaudreau is certainly adjusting to NHL game speed. Yes he's used to his team controlling the puck more often, but we certainly cannot use the excuse that he's used to playing with more talented teammates. As bad as this Flames team is, it's not even close, even the 4th liners.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Robert is fired up tonight.

Do you mean the super fan who calls in 960 overtime?

The guy is nuts, freaks out and wants everyone traded/fired after a loss and plans parades after a win.

Pat puts up with him because he buys drinks.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by T@T

Do you mean the super fan who calls in 960 overtime?

The guy is nuts, freaks out and wants everyone traded/fired after a loss and plans parades after a win.

Pat puts up with him because he buys drinks.

I think he brought up 1 or 2 good points but it's hard to defend him when I can't understand what he's saying half the time.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The Blues have just as many young and inexperienced players as the Flames. I'm actually shocked by how impressive the likes of Tarasenko, Schwartz, etc., look and how easily they slot into that lineup.

A contending team but still able to slot young players into really important roles. We can't even do that as a rebuilding team.

Better veterans help shelter. Challenge for the Flames is that the younger players have more talent.

The team missed Hudler. He plays well with the puck and creates space.

Setoguchi early dished to Engelland then skated through his stick. What a gong show. Didn't do much to redeem himself. Not a good debut on the whole.

Wideman was not impressive.

Hiller looked fine but I am sure some nerds will tell us his save percentage means he was not.

I blame the flu.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Flames were out matched 2 min into this game and never got much traction at all for any length of time.

I think we should all get used to it this season. Judging by the first few games (which in itself isn't a large sample size but still worth noting) this team will simply not be able to control the puck enough this year. It comes with the territory and as long as they're trying to compete I'm not going to complain about the results.

I am very disappointed in Glencross so far though. He looks completely uninterested in engaging and has yet to show anything worthy of being on the the leaders on this team.

[memphusk]

I have recently been told that people don't like the term nerd anymore, but I'm OK with it.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by memphusk

I have recently been told that people don't like the term nerd anymore, but I'm OK with it.

Go home, you're drunk. Nerd

[gunnner]

As a guy who watched quite a few Jets games last year, I knew signing Setoguchi was a mistake, and was mad. Now I just feel sorry for him, he does not have the confidence of an NHL player, he needs to go to the AHL asap and regain some confidence and put a few goals in. (if he can in the AHL). Thats his only chance IMO.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Based on how tonights game went I think they will either win or lose the next game.

[Arya Stark]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

He also seems to be missing his usual jump which makes me think he's not completely over the flu. Most of the team looks sluggish, apart from Raymond and Brodie. This is a pretty brutal road trip for a sick squad, right at the start of the season.

Lets not forget Byron. Easily the most consistent forward night in and night out.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

...Hiller looked fine but I am sure some nerds will tell us his save percentage means he was not...

I thought Hiller was fine, and his SP actually looks pretty good from this game in which he faced +40 shots against. However, it looked to me like he was out of position or moving slowly laterally more often than I would like. Honestly, I thought it was tough to get much of a read on him last night.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Blues might be the best team in the NHL and were pumped for their opener...no need to panic. With 20% odds AT BEST I wouldn't get too excited for McDavid no matter how bad the team is. And have you seen Florida play?

I was just going to post that. I was at the Panthers game last night and it was 5-0 by 3 minutes into the 2nd period. 5 goals on 14 shots for a whopping .643 save percentage for Roberto Luongo. The team looked awful in front of him too. Montoya was good the rest of the way and the team played a lot better after pulling Luongo, but it was an ugly, ugly night. Zero speed, zero system play, horrible compete level, no physicality, no battle for pucks, poor defensive coverage in front of the net. I mean it was just a crap fest.

At the very least I saw the Flames skate incredibly hard, battle for pucks and compete all game long, get some good chances and lay some hits. The Blues are just flat out a much better team by a large margin, and there's no shame in losing to them in these circumstances (on the road, team with flu, pumped and angry Blues team looking for their first win of the year). Hitchcock knew the Flames were going to come hard and he prepared his team so they weren't surprised by us. Whenever that happens this year, we're going to lose those games, but I just want to see the Flames work hard and not give up, no matter what the score. I'll be satisfied if that happens.

Could be worse, could be the Panthers. The scores were similar tonight, but the teams are nowhere near each other. The Panthers are bad, bad, bad, but I hope they get better too.

[fanman]

Unfortunately there are going to be a lot of games like this throughout the year.

I think the Flames will keep a lot of them close through hard work and I'd like to see them keep up the never give up attitude, but they just don't have the horses to really compete yet.

Many of the young prospects still need a bit more seasoning, Gaudreau included. It looks like he's adjusting to the speed of the NHL game, which shouldn't be unexpected.
Patience.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

Lets not forget Byron. Easily the most consistent forward night in and night out.

Agreed.

[boddygill]

Byron has looked awesome this year so far.

[heep223]

I have yet to say this to this point, but holy crap Wideman looks horrible.

[Ashasx]

Scoring chances last game: http://flamesnation.ca/2014/10/11/post-game-out-gunned

Wideman: +6 -12
Smid: +5 -15
Engelland: +0 -9

Monahan: +2 -8

Gaudreau: +2 -2

Brodie: +6 -3
Giordano: +6 -2