[PGT] Flames fall 3-0. Ducks lead series 2-0

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Calgary competing turned a 6-1 blowout into a 3-0 blowout that could have been signficantly worse were it not for Ramo stealing the show.

Not to single you out but this makes me think you didn't actually watch the game and you're just blowing smoke in here. The only reason I care is because it's not really a fair assessment for those who didn't watch the game and come to CP to get caught up.

Yes Ramo kept us in it in the first. In the last two periods at worst it was even and at best the Flames had the edge. Blowout? You're being dramatic. Bruce Boudreau was quoted as saying the 3-0 score flattered the Ducks and it was a 1-0 game for 50 minutes. C'mon man...clean it up!

[sa226]

Its getting into dead horse territory but.....Year 2 of the rebuild.

I hope Treliving stays the course and doesn't go all Darryl Sutter post 2004.

We talk about how Anaheim, Chicago, NY are all "built" for the playoffs. The Flames aren't even "built" at all. They are a thrown together bunch of rookies, left over veterans and UFA's signed to plug holes. Think about that when you assess the rest of the final 8. Those teams are built.

The experience gained by the emerging core is invaluable. I'm sure the organization is taking note of who is adapting, who is rising to the occasion, and who isn't. Whats exciting is that this must be fast tracking Bennett's development. His first real taste of the NHL is the playoffs. He is getting a crash course in what it takes.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Backlund also had a bunch of nice turnovers that led to good scoring chances, against.

I thought he looked awful and aside from a couple of games, has looked awful for most of the playoffs.

He's just too soft. Clearing attempts are too soft, passes are too soft, shot is too soft.

I know it goes against the popular narrative, but he just doesn't bring enough offense to make his defense worth it. Too inconsistent, too soft.

It's one of those things advanced statistics don't compensate for: the moment. The moment to put a team away, the moment to go up by a goal early, the moment to scramble a key draw. When I see backlund wiffing on 2-1s, not clearing the puck after an icing, turning the puck over on the half-wall etc, I just cringe.

Calgary is desperate for offense right now and Backlund just doesn't provide enough of it.

I agree he had a couple turnovers that ended up in our net, no question. And I agree that he doesn't provide enough offence. But what I was saying was that he was our best forward, despite some poor moments. And when that happens, you will lose. I saw what you saw, and cringed as well, but I also saw him as the only guy actually directing traffic towards the Ducks net at even strength. Who would you say of the forwards did that better? Or played better overall? Some guys didn't have the glaring turnovers he did, but they also didn't do much of anything else. Gaudreau, for example, didn't cause any goals against from what I saw, but he was literally a non-factor. As was Monahan and Hudler. Bennett has some nice moments, he's great on the wall and on the forecheck, but he's still too raw to execute his plays consistently.

Again, by no means was he "good", but he was the best forward in my eyes.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by heep223

Not to single you out but this makes me think you didn't actually watch the game and you're just blowing smoke in here. Just like you were when you called the Saddledome the "quietest building in north american professional sports", and yet you hadn't been to a game this year. The only reason I care is because it's not really a fair assessment for those who didn't watch the game and come to CP to get caught up.

You're thinking of a different poster.

Yes Ramo kept us in it in the first. In the last two periods at worst it was even and at best the Flames had the edge. Blowout? You're being dramatic. Bruce Boudreau was quoted as saying the 3-0 score flattered the Ducks and it was a 1-0 game for 50 minutes. C'mon man...clean it up!

Anaheim had 8 scoring chances on their first 10 shots, not including the post Kesler hit.

They had 20 shots in the first period.

I watched the game and it was Ugly. Calgary came out on fire in the first 10 or so minutes of the 2nd period, but after that it was men against boys again.

Anaheim may not have taken their foot off the pedal, but they were no longer stomping on it, they had the game firmly in hand inspite of the score.

I'm all about Calgary and their ability to come back from being down in the 3rd period, but they are completely outclassed by Anaheim.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I agree he had a couple turnovers that ended up in our net, no question. And I agree that he doesn't provide enough offence. But what I was saying was that he was our best forward, despite some poor moments. And when that happens, you will lose. I saw what you saw, and cringed as well, but I also saw him as the only guy actually directing traffic towards the Ducks net at even strength. Who would you say of the forwards did that better? Or played better overall? Some guys didn't have the glaring turnovers he did, but they also didn't do much of anything else. Gaudreau, for example, didn't cause any goals against from what I saw, but he was literally a non-factor. As was Monahan and Hudler. Bennett has some nice moments, he's great on the wall and on the forecheck, but he's still too raw to execute his plays consistently.

Again, by no means was he "good", but he was the best forward in my eyes.

I actually thought Raymond looks pretty good out there. Skated hard, had some good shot attempts.

That's not saying much, but I'd say Raymond had a better game than Backlund and Raymond didn't have a stellar game.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I actually thought Raymond looks pretty good out there. Skated hard, had some good shot attempts.

That's not saying much, but I'd say Raymond had a better game than Backlund and Raymond didn't have a stellar game.

Yes that's true. I agree that Raymond had a good game and earned a spot in the lineup next game, and I am not a Raymond fan at all.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

You're thinking of a different poster.



Anaheim had 8 scoring chances on their first 10 shots, not including the post Kesler hit.

They had 20 shots in the first period.

I watched the game and it was Ugly. Calgary came out on fire in the first 10 or so minutes of the 2nd period, but after that it was men against boys again.

Anaheim may not have taken their foot off the pedal, but they were no longer stomping on it, they had the game firmly in hand inspite of the score.

I'm all about Calgary and their ability to come back from being down in the 3rd period, but they are completely outclassed by Anaheim.

No they did not.

It doesn't matter AT ALL how many chances they had in the 1st period. It was a one-goal game. The Flames were one shot from changing the dynamics of the series entirely. And the Ducks knew it.

Suggesting otherwise is, frankly, ridiculous.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

You're thinking of a different poster.

Indeed. I apologize about this, it was CliffFletcher. I'll edit

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yes that's true. I agree that Raymond had a good game and earned a spot in the lineup next game, and I am not a Raymond fan at all.

I thought Raymond was good last night too.

And the one thing that seems to cause the Ducks grief is speed.

Byron and Bouma coming back would change the feel of this series.

[Flames89]

Another bright spot this playoffs has been the recent play of Colborne. It's like he has finally figured out how he should play.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

They are both similar IMO.

When on their game both are really strong, issue is inconsistency and for both of them when they are bad...they are really bad.

Hiller was great in games 1-5 in round one and went into a lull, Ramo has been hot and cold all season too.

Ramo is in just his second full season in the NHL and is getting better; Hiller's career is clearly heading downhill. I think that's what you look at when you're looking at next year and beyond. Although I agree it was pretty much a wash between them this season, Ramo has more upside.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

That makes no sense. It wasn't 3-0 for the 40 minutes of even hockey that Weitz was referring to.

The game was 1-0 for 2 and a half periods. No team let's their foot off the gas in a one-goal playoff game.

Seriously, just think about it.

Eh, based on my analysis and the people I watched the game with we thought they let up a bit. Maybe not purposefully but as you said they were playing so well previously.

Just seemed they were not pushing the offense as much, fore checking, hitting everything that moved etc..

Just my thoughts.

[hockey.modern]

Just happy with the Flames goalie future. Ortio and Gillies, yet we even have McDonald coming in the long run

[polak]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

so morning after, my thoughts gravitate back to the fact that the western conference has some ultra-elite teams, that frankly have it all. Chicago, Anaheim, St. Louis and Minnesota are just complete teams built for the 7 game playoff layout. In the west, everyone else is just a tier (or two-three) below. I think a flames series against any of these 4 teams would look about the same as what we are seeing so far in the second round.

It's kind of a eye opener to the fact that though we all should be super proud of how far this team has come along, in order to really become an upper echelon team that is in the same group as the above, there is still a lot of work to be done. Need 2 lines that can be counted on for offense, need defense that is 8 deep (having 3rd pairing guys in the playoffs playing under half a dozen mins isn't going to work). On top of that, need the size to be able to play playoff grind hockey throughout the lineup.

Really shouldn't be all that upset about the domination so far. The rebuild is coming around really well and there's plenty to be excited about. This series should be an excellent learning lesson for not only the player's growth, but also a great mechanism for management to get a feel for what is needed to evolve to not just a bubble team but to a contender.

The good news is, we can add a big name UFA D-man to round out the D and even add a top 6 winger and still have no cap troubles. This doesn't have to be a rebuild for much longer.

Then add a full year of Bennett and Ortio and I think we'll have a pretty complete team.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by polak

The good news is, we can add a big name UFA D-man to round out the D and even add a top 6 winger and still have no cap troubles. This doesn't have to be a rebuild for much longer.

Then add a full year of Bennett and Ortio and I think we'll have a pretty complete team.

I don't think so.

Look at Anaheim's core contributors, especially on the defense.

3 guys playing 20 minutes a night 23 years old or younger.

Individually, Brodie may be the best player of the 3, but they have 3 to Calgary's 1.

This series is exposing a lot of the weaknesses of this Flames roster. I don't want to sound doom and gloom, because I think Calgary has a puncher's chance to get to the conference final and beyond, but when you see that monster that is the Ducks team clogging up every passing lane and every inch along the boards, it is impressive and humbling.

Big high coming off the Vancouver win, but the Ducks are a real contender, not a pretender and it is showing.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Eh, based on my analysis and the people I watched the game with we thought they let up a bit. Maybe not purposefully but as you said they were playing so well previously.

Just seemed they were not pushing the offense as much, fore checking, hitting everything that moved etc..

Just my thoughts.

Flames played much more controlled in the final 40/

First period was more about what the Flames were doing wrong, more then what the Ducks were doing right. Teams just don't "create" that many odd man rushes all on their own.

First period the Flames played bad hockey. Running around, poor positionally, bad pinches, and poor decisions all around.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I don't think so.

Look at Anaheim's core contributors, especially on the defense.

3 guys playing 20 minutes a night 23 years old or younger.

Individually, Brodie may be the best player of the 3, but they have 3 to Calgary's 1.

I agree, that is what the flames are missing. Question is, how does Treliving get us our versions of Lindholm/Vatanen/Fowler. We have nothing like them (at that age) on our team or in our system except Brodie. I really hope we see dman taken with our top pick this year. Getting a young, impactful top 4 dman will be crucial to taking the next step as Giordano and Wideman get older.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

so morning after, my thoughts gravitate back to the fact that the western conference has some ultra-elite teams, that frankly have it all. Chicago, Anaheim, St. Louis and Minnesota are just complete teams built for the 7 game playoff layout. In the west, everyone else is just a tier (or two-three) below. I think a flames series against any of these 4 teams would look about the same as what we are seeing so far in the second round.

It's kind of a eye opener to the fact that though we all should be super proud of how far this team has come along, in order to really become an upper echelon team that is in the same group as the above, there is still a lot of work to be done. Need 2 lines that can be counted on for offense, need defense that is 8 deep (having 3rd pairing guys in the playoffs playing under half a dozen mins isn't going to work). On top of that, need the size to be able to play playoff grind hockey throughout the lineup.

Really shouldn't be all that upset about the domination so far. The rebuild is coming around really well and there's plenty to be excited about. This series should be an excellent learning lesson for not only the player's growth, but also a great mechanism for management to get a feel for what is needed to evolve to not just a bubble team but to a contender.

Perfectly stated ^

[SuperMatt18]

This Anaheim team was built to beat the L.A. team that won 2 out of 3 cups.

They are strong, fast, and physical. Just happened that with the way the division played out, they didn't even have to go into war with L.A.

Impressive team.

[FlamesAddiction]

I thought our guys played OK for most of the game after the brutal 1st period, but it was still frustrating to watch Anaheim kill the creativity. They are just so effective at breaking things up.

If I was an Anaheim fan, I would probably be pretty happy, but as an opposing fan, it is really hard to watch.

Was the 2nd goal scored on an offside? I missed the replay. Not that it matters. You don't get outscored 9-1 in two games because of officiating.