[PGT] Canucks 5 Flames 3

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by camm13

Honestly at this point something needs to give, 15 games in and the flames still only have 1 even strength goal from their bottom forwards. We're one year removed from having the most players on a team with 10 or more goals.

I think this indicates that this is indeed a funk that they will work their way out of. Nothing else has changed, so it's not gonna stay like this the whole season. Bennett, Jankowski, Jagr, Versteeg and Brouwer all had really good looks tonight, it's just a matter of time.

[Itse]

Gah, frustrating game :/ Flames the better team by far, should have won that. I think maybe that got in the Flames heads too, because they were at times soft and sloppy when the Canucks had the puck, kind of just waiting for the game to go back the other way. Which it mostly did, but that's still going to hurt you.

Still, I felt the Flames played a good game overall, and are moving in the right direction offensively. Just a little sharper in their own end the next time.

[united]

The Flames completely dominated tonight but ultimately lost. One of the games where you just say #### happens and move on. At some point the Flames are going to win a game in the fashion the Canucks did tonight and we'll be treated with the narratives about leadership, culture, character, never quit, etc., but the bottom line is the Canucks were extremely fortunate, just as the Flames will be in a game they win later in the season.

That in mind:
Why is Gulutzan so enamored with deploying the fourth line with the third pairing during controlled situations (faceoffs)? It makes absolutely no sense and again they got burned in a critical point in the game. This has been a common observation and complaint going back to last season yet he keeps doing it. It is truly bizarre.

Bennett, aside from his nice play on the boards before Hamilton's goal, was awful. I still think he turns into a top six winger, but perhaps it's time for him to watch a game from up top. All he needs is some confidence to explode, but maybe a game off, watching things develop much slower, helps him out. He really needs to get it going.

The 3M line is so goddamn good. Once again the fewest offensive starts on the team but the top possession players. Terrific patience and timing on the breakout, smart in the neutral zone, ability to carry the puck in as opposed to chip-and-chase turnovers, unreal on the cycle. Model two-way players, all three of them.

Likewise, the Giordano-Hamilton pairing runs show. If they're on the ice, the opposition is usually back-peddling. Fantastic chemistry.

Glad to have Jagr back. Guy seemingly plays the game in slow motion but his computer is on another level - so so smart out there, particularly in the offensive zone.

Bartkowski is not an NHL defenceman. We've come to know Gulutzan loves his veterans, but when it comes down to playing someone you know is terrible (Bartkowski) vs. someone who may or may not be terrible (Andersson), the choice is obvious...or at least should be. Bartkowski has no ability to hit the tape on breakouts or in transition which causes nothing but turnovers and chaos in the Flames' end.

Stone struggles in a top four role. He's a good dude by all accounts, he has a heavy shot, and he isn't prone to catastrophic mistakes like Wideman was, but he's far overpaid for his roster position and ability. Hopefully Hamonic is back soon.

Lazar is all effort, no result. As much heat as Bennett gets, what has Lazar done? As much as the Flames preach culture and work ethic, trading a second-round pick for a guy with questionable dedication to fitness and little offensive ability remains a total blunder. What were they thinking?

[Flamesfan2010]

Originally Posted by bax

Courtesy of Steinberg... 5v5 possession of 62.2% for the Flames and high danger chances were 15-8 in favour of the Flames.

But I thought the cansucks played the better game?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Flames had the edge in play the first 2 periods. A couple of breakdowns cost them in the third, but the one thing missing I thought was the push in the third.

There were some times in the third where they were on the right side of the pressure, but it was measured, not relentless. Even with 7 minutes left and 2 goals down, there was no sense the game was recoverable, no sign of the 'find a way' flames that Hartley stirred up 3 seasons ago.

That is what disappoints me about this team as is. Sometimes the game is over too early in the third and there is no general sense that it can be won, though the clock and goal differential say it is possible.

[N-E-B]

Cooled off a bit. Really frustrating game to watch. Calgary played great. Should have won but sometimes you lose games you should have won.

I am, however, 100% sick and tired of the lack of production from the 3rd line. They score one goal and all of the sudden it's a different game. The only guy I'm cutting some slack is Jagr since he was hurt. I'm glad they're getting chances but holy god they need to capitalize on some. It's been 15 games and only Versteeg has a goal, and he was playing on the top line when he got them. I'm honestly shocked they're over .500, that's a testament to how good our top-six has been. Gaudreau is a treat to watch.

[The Familia]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Why is it some of you are only interested in participating on this forum when you have things about which to complain? It is your prerogative (I suppose), but it doesn’t exactly qualify as a constructive contribution.

My mistake, let me try this again...

Sam Bennett is a high caliber player who has contributed immensely to the team this year. He has been instrumental in multiple wins and will have an outside shot of bringing home the Hart and Art Toss trophy this year. His trade value is sky high and he will be our franchise player for years to come. There will be a spot in the Saddledome rafters 15 years from now for his retired jersey.

There is that better? Have I been accepted by the CP police?

Also, do you stalk my posts and see how often I contribute?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by badradio

Just finished the game... Frustrating. GG reminds me of Brent Sutter with his stubbornness to try and fit square pegs into round holes. Flames get scored on so he puts out the Brouwer line and our worst defensive pair against the Sedins... A sucker for punishment? How is that going to spark a comeback? The fact Bartkowski is even on this team is a huge failure by the GM, but the fact that he gets played so much is on the coach. Also, Sam Bennett has low hockey IQ, reminds me of Taylor Hall with less skill, but I do think he will get better with time, just like Hall did, it's just a matter of how patient they want to be.

I'm not sure why they spend so much on elite defencemen if they don't use them... They could have 2 cannons from the point on two PP lines, but they use Brouwer and Versteeg instead? Not to mention they would be more defensively responsible by having 2 Dmen out there. Frustrating game.

I have to admit I'm kind of concerned about Gulutzan. It's not that he's a terrible coach but he simply doesn't learn from mistakes and I don't think he's ever going to change or adapt his approach to become a better head coach. Easily the most stubborn head coach I have ever seen. He seems to have no ability to adapt in game for situational play. His coaching is basically scripted regardless of the type of game or situations that arise.

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Haven't read the thread yet but I have to get this off my chest...

The game is 3-3 but the Flames have been dominant and are playing well. The Nucks get a good break and score the go ahead goal - a potential momentum changer. SO what happens next?...

The Nucks send out the Sedin line, who, frankly, haven't been very good and are vulnerable. WHat does Gulutzan counter with? The fourth line and the 3rd defensive pairing. Despite the fact that there had just been a Vancouver PP and the top line was rested.

I turned to the guy beside me and said 'the Flames will lose the game on this shift'. Thirty seconds later, the game was over.

I have been patient, but I am done with Gulutzan. Horrible, horrible bench management. And no passion. Teams take on the personality of their coach. And the Flames have definitely taken on his persona.

They are wasting a year in which they could be competitive.

Very well said, sums up quite nicely how I feel. Team has all the talent but they and the coach have the personality of a potato.

[Resolute 14]

Last night was more of the same problem that has plagued this team under Gulutzan: We're too easy to beat. People looking for a meaningless moral victory will point to our Corsi domination, but that lacks any value when you look at how this team repeatedly gave Vancouver easy goals via stupid play. I guess that was something of a departure from our usual stupid and uninspired play that has told the story of most of the rest of our losses this year.

Like we always do under Gulutzan, we started the game chasing the opponent. And like we so often do, we ended it with a whimper. Everybody knew the game was over the second we gifted Vancouver those two third period goals. The middle part would have been alright if not for the fact that Brodie especially turned into a gibbering idiot at the worst possible time.

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Haven't read the thread yet but I have to get this off my chest...

The game is 3-3 but the Flames have been dominant and are playing well. The Nucks get a good break and score the go ahead goal - a potential momentum changer. SO what happens next?...

The Nucks send out the Sedin line, who, frankly, haven't been very good and are vulnerable. WHat does Gulutzan counter with? The fourth line and the 3rd defensive pairing. Despite the fact that there had just been a Vancouver PP and the top line was rested.

I turned to the guy beside me and said 'the Flames will lose the game on this shift'. Thirty seconds later, the game was over.

I have been patient, but I am done with Gulutzan. Horrible, horrible bench management. And no passion. Teams take on the personality of their coach. And the Flames have definitely taken on his persona.

They are wasting a year in which they could be competitive.

Yup exactly my thoughts.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Bonded

It's gross the Canucks are ahead of us

but I respect the fact they're making chicken salad out of chicken s**t.
it's ugly, but they're managing to get it done.

[howard_the_duck]

Got to take in my first two flames games in person in quite some time this week.

The thing that stood out to me was effort. And I thought to myself, how many of the 15 games this year have the flames out worked their opponent? It was clear last night the Flames are the better team than the Canucks, but A big part of the the Flames' historic identity as a franchise is rolling up their sleeves and out working their opponents. You don't see that from this group too often.

[---Hatrick---]

Can't even read through the whole PGT. Just painful.
Yeah guys it's sure GG's fault we lost this one. Never mind the fact that the Canucks were getting very lucky and Smith let in 5 goals on 21 shots...
All glue guns fault. Fire him!!

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It is honestly baffling that he and Jankowski are still both pointless. They both did a lot of good things tonight—although Bennett really needs to figure out how to stay on his skates (is there another player who falls down as frequently as him?), and Jankowski needs to get his shot off faster.

Watching him tonight I had a flashback to Niklas Hagman. Lots of speed and effort followed by falling to the ice with little to no contact. Very frustrating to watch.

[flambers]

Flames have a serious lack of finish while they are playing even strength..

This is a game where the Flames should of created a large lead going into the 3rd....

Really hoping the 3rd and 4th Lines can start to chip in a goal here and there.

Will really help.

[nemanja2306]

Why did Bartkowski play over Andersson?

He keeps forcing the LHD - RHD pairings, this was the perfect opportunity to play Andersson as we're missing a RHD and he is a RHD. We know how terrible Bartkowski is (and he reminded us again), could Andersson be any worse?

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by ---Hatrick---

Can't even read through the whole PGT. Just painful.
Yeah guys it's sure GG's fault we lost this one. Never mind the fact that the Canucks were getting very lucky and Smith let in 5 goals on 21 shots...
All glue guns fault. Fire him!!

Canucks score the 4th goal. They send out the Sedins, GG sends out our 4th line and third paring (Kulak-Bartowski). 30 seconds later, 5th goal and game over. So, yes, it is GG's fault. Even if you think he has a good system, the guy cannot manage a game.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by flambers

Flames have a serious lack of finish while they are playing even strength..

This is a game where the Flames should of created a large lead going into the 3rd....

Really hoping the 3rd and 4th Lines can start to chip in a goal here and there.

Will really help.

At least - and differing from the rest of the season thus far - we didn't make the bad goalie look good by firing 20 pucks directly into the logo. If nothing else, we made Markstrom earn his saves last night.

[---Hatrick---]

I think some people get so invested into losses around here. They feel the need to pin point one or two players or the coach, and the sky starts falling on them.
The realty is, some nights when you deserve to win (last night most certainly being one of those nights) things just don't go your teams way.

Tanev doesn't make that save with his head, and Ferland keeps his foot back an another inch to stay on side, they suddenly had 5 goals. Smith isn't going to let in that many goals very often, especially on 21 shots.

Would have loved to take that W, but life goes on. They won their 3 prior to that one. Move on