[PGT] Another Flames Honda Center loss. 6-1. Ducks lead series 1-0

[Erick Estrada]

It's been a long time since I can remember a team getting destroyed like that in a playoff game. In fact that was arguably their worst game all season. Things can only get better from here but it does look like they are outmatched against a clearly better team.

[Imported_Aussie]

Ortio needs to be considered for time in this series. Not brought in yet, but should get more practice time and be ready to go when needed. Biggest weakness both Hiller and Ramo have is rebound control, and against a team that plays big and hard, fighting to get inside, that is suicide. Hiller gets the benefit of the doubt, since he has taken the team so far, but the leash has to be very short now. Ortio absorbs the puck more, which would allow the Flames to stop and reset - and get Stajan out there for draws.

As a team, the Flames need to do a better job of keeping Anaheim to the outside and breaking the cycle. Engelland needs to be much better, as he is one of the few guys back there who can match up physically on the Ducks.

Improvement for game 2, even if it is a loss, is a must. Split would be amazing, but a big pushback to set up the homestand is the minimum. Game 3 will be critical, either consolidating an unlikely split, or fighting back to give themselves a shot.

If Ferland is out long term, with Bouma still on the shelf, his replacement could be Wolf, but with his lack of footspeed and stamina (when forced to play at the higher pace of the NHL) shows that this may not be the best move. Tough decisions coming up for Hartley.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

..
If Ferland is out I think they have to call up Wolf, he might be able to help fill that void. But it seems as though a few big hits aren't going to throw the Ducks off their game like it did Vancouver, need a new strategy.

Wolf won't help the Flames, if anything imo his poor skating will make things worse.

Flames need a new gameplan - there is no way they are going to match up with the Ducks physically like they did against the Canucks. They shouldn't fall into the same trap that the Jets did.

They need quick breakouts out of the zone and to rush the puck. Force the Ducks to skate rather than let them grind it out on the cycle.

And for the love of all that is holy, get the puck to the net and crash it! Stop trying for force those pretty passes - once the Ducks are set up in their zone they are going to block cross-ice passes and perimeter shots all day long.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by Property Manager DB

15 lbs average differential according to cbc. Flames have to use more of their speed to exploit the ducks defence

IMO

The Ducks' defense can match the Flames' speed any day of the week. Fowler, Lindholm, and Vatanen are like having three TJ Brodies. Depres and Beachemin are pretty solid skaters as well.

Even up front, they have a ton of speed. Etem and Cogliano are two of the fastest skaters in the NHL.


The only thing the Flames do better is work ethic. If Hartley can get this series to six or seven games, forget the Jack Adams... he'll be the first coach to receive the Conn Smythe

[ForeverFlameFan]

Calgary tried to be very physical against the Ducks like they were against the Canucks. The difference is the Canucks didn't retaliate whereas the Ducks will come back and hit you just as hard, if not harder.

We need to play our speed game, because we are a quick bunch. We didn't show up last night because we tried to match up with Anaheim physically. The Kings were able to that last year, our Flames can't. We need to go back to the speed game we know.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by boogerz

The Ducks' defense can match the Flames' speed any day of the week. Fowler, Lindholm, and Vatanen are like having three TJ Brodies. Depres and Beachemin are pretty solid skaters as well.

Even up front, they have a ton of speed. Etem and Cogliano are two of the fastest skaters in the NHL.


The only thing the Flames do better is work ethic. If Hartley can get this series to six or seven games, forget the Jack Adams... he'll be the first coach to receive the Conn Smythe

The Flames are no slouch in speed either. Speed vs speed will give us the best chance to win, not hits vs hits. Regardless if the Ducks are a fast team, we stand a much better chance if we get them playing OUR game, rather then theirs.

I think the Flames were relaying on Ferland to set a physical tone, and when he got injured that kind of put everyone in a lull and they didn't know what to do. I don't care if the Flames don't throw another hit all series. That's never going to win us another playoff game. But speed and skill will. If that means opening it up a bit and trading chances, then so be it. Otherwise Gaudreau might as well spend the rest of the series on the bench and smaller players like Hudler and Russell are going to be neutralized and it's going to be a brutal 3 remaining games.

[dissentowner]

This blowout result might have been the best thing that could happen. Not only should it kick the Flames into a higher gear of using speed and skill instead of trying to bang with the Ducks, it gives them lots of video to review their mistakes. I have no faith in Hiller though, he just is not good at recovering like Ramo is going side to side. Hoping Ramo starts game 2.

[normtwofinger]

If possible, switch to the NBC feed for game 2. Commentators were more professional, actual crowd sound instead of one fan banging the glass and better picture.

[polak]

We were absolutely destroyed out there. I don't think I've ever seen a team get that dominated in a play off game in my life. It wasn't even fair.

Opening game too. Sets a pretty bad pace for the series...

Not good.

Also Hiller is hopefully done for the series. Hell I'd rather we give Ortio a shot.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by goodyear

It looked like Canada vs Latvia out there last night.

Wasn't pretty.

I understand the sentiment but bad example--Latvia probably gave Canada it's biggest challenge in Sochi, we only won 2-1 as their goalie stood on his head.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

This blowout result might have been the best thing that could happen. Not only should it kick the Flames into a higher gear of using speed and skill instead of trying to bang with the Ducks, it gives them lots of video to review their mistakes. I have no faith in Hiller though, he just is not good at recovering like Ramo is going side to side. Hoping Ramo starts game 2.

Agreed. I think CP is going to be an "interesting" place for the next few days. I expect a better game 2 from the flames. However, that does come with the disclaimer that the ducks are an elite team. a lot of things would have to go right for the flames, as well as a lot of things going wrong for the ducks for calgary to have any real chance.

My only hope is that the flames go down swinging. It would suck to come all this way due to the 'never quit' and 'outwork the other team' mindset, only to have the season end with the team & fans wondering if the work ethic was there.

[northcrunk]

How does Gaudreau keep getting hit from behind yet there are no penalties or suspensions? Most frustrating thing about these playoffs so far. We need a nucular heavyweight to just start knocking guys out. Take the 2 min for instigating. These guys get off way to easy for cheap and dirty hits. Shore should have just started pounding the guy who hit Gaudreau.

[Mony]

So Bennett only has one game remaining to play I think until he burns a year. Game 3 (I mistakenly said 4) would be the burning.

IF we lose game 2, who would want to save Bennett from playing anymore? Never say die with this Flames team, and if they can somehow even it up at home then that's all well and good. But admittedly if we lose the next game it looks bleak. Also have to consider what message that sends to our guys - not icing the best roster.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Mony

So Bennett only has one game remaining to play I think until he burns a year. Game 3 (I mistakenly said 4) would be the burning.

IF we lose game 2, who would want to save Bennett from playing anymore? Never say die with this Flames team, and if they can somehow even it up at home then that's all well and good. But admittedly if we lose the next game it looks bleak. Also have to consider what message that sends to our guys - not icing the best roster.

I think that would look incredibly cheap and you can bet that Bennett and his agent will remember that come renegotiation time.

I hope the Flames don't do anything stupid like that. If anything, Flames should play him to burn a year as a reward for his efforts in Round 1.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Mony

So Bennett only has one game remaining to play I think until he burns a year. Game 3 (I mistakenly said 4) would be the burning.

IF we lose game 2, who would want to save Bennett from playing anymore? Never say die with this Flames team, and if they can somehow even it up at home then that's all well and good. But admittedly if we lose the next game it looks bleak. Also have to consider what message that sends to our guys - not icing the best roster.

Ignore the contract implications. As long as Bennett gives you the best chance of winning over someone else, you play him.

Contract status is a non-issue, people need to stop worrying about it.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by Mony

So Bennett only has one game remaining to play I think until he burns a year. Game 3 (I mistakenly said 4) would be the burning.

IF we lose game 2, who would want to save Bennett from playing anymore? Never say die with this Flames team, and if they can somehow even it up at home then that's all well and good. But admittedly if we lose the next game it looks bleak. Also have to consider what message that sends to our guys - not icing the best roster.

Sends the completely wrong message imo. If you've decided he's good enough to play then he plays, Hartley shouldn't be constrained by his or anyone's contract

[Poe969]

Bennett has been one of our best forwards so far this playoff, there is no reason not to play him. In all honesty, who cares about his contract? I think it's better to burn a year off of it since he's earned it with his play. The Flames also want to show that they're not trying "nickel and dime" him out of his contract and tell him that they want him here long term. Bennett will play as long as the Flames do.

[868904]

Flames need to go skill and speed against the Ducks.

As much as I have not been happy with Raymond, I think you put him and Poirier in and tell the boys to forget about the rough stuff and physical play and just keep skating and drawing penalties.

Maybe even Bollig should come out for a guy with some more speed (ie, Granlund).

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

The Flames are no slouch in speed either. Speed vs speed will give us the best chance to win, not hits vs hits. Regardless if the Ducks are a fast team, we stand a much better chance if we get them playing OUR game, rather then theirs.

I think the Flames were relaying on Ferland to set a physical tone, and when he got injured that kind of put everyone in a lull and they didn't know what to do. I don't care if the Flames don't throw another hit all series. That's never going to win us another playoff game. But speed and skill will. If that means opening it up a bit and trading chances, then so be it. Otherwise Gaudreau might as well spend the rest of the series on the bench and smaller players like Hudler and Russell are going to be neutralized and it's going to be a brutal 3 remaining games.

I'm not advocating that the Flames play a physical game either, since it's pretty clear that the Ducks have a huge (pun intended) size advantage.

It's going to be a brutal remaining three games no matter how the Flames player. I definitely do not envy Hartley right now.

At least it's a good experience for the young guys, and gives Treliving an idea what he needs to add in the off season

[polak]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

The Flames are no slouch in speed either. Speed vs speed will give us the best chance to win, not hits vs hits. Regardless if the Ducks are a fast team, we stand a much better chance if we get them playing OUR game, rather then theirs.

I think the Flames were relaying on Ferland to set a physical tone, and when he got injured that kind of put everyone in a lull and they didn't know what to do. I don't care if the Flames don't throw another hit all series. That's never going to win us another playoff game. But speed and skill will. If that means opening it up a bit and trading chances, then so be it. Otherwise Gaudreau might as well spend the rest of the series on the bench and smaller players like Hudler and Russell are going to be neutralized and it's going to be a brutal 3 remaining games.

Yeah I agree with this.

The Ducks are a fast team too but what are we supposed to do? Just give up?

Realistically there's no area where the Flames are clearly better than the Ducks so the only option is to play our game and hope for the best.