[PGT] Leafs 4 Flames 1

[BruceCody]

Originally Posted by NewFan

all D except Kulak look very bad

fixed

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by dieHARDflameZ

I agree. The fourth line is there to create energy and build momentum. Whether that be with a big hit, a scrap or a hard working grind it out shift. Right now I feel like they go on the ice and we proceed to spend the next 45 seconds + defending in our own zone.

the personnel in place on the 4th line are not those kind of players. I'm with you, that's why i'd like to see hathaway get his shot, especially with versteeg out at the moment.

Hathaway - Lazar - brouwer, should be capable of playing that "energy" line kind of role....

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Having a hard time pinpointing the defensive issues with this team.

Gio-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone

It's not hard to pinpoint - two of the top four are poor without the puck. Brodie because he's really weak down low and along the boards, and Hamilton because he's not interested in hockey unless he has the puck on his stick.

[bax]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I almost hope it happens so some of you realize the NHL isn't the AHL

Haha well yes I’m being hyperbolic to an extent, but this team won’t find much sustainable success until we get a bottom six that can contribute. Why not give Hrivik a shot at 4th line center?

I know Flames management thinks highly of him and Stajan/Lazar/Hamilton can’t seem to hold down the spot

[dammage79]

Sounds like goals #1 and #3 were fluke goals. Hockey's a game of good bounces and bad bounces. I think we know how the bounces went tonight.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

the personnel in place on the 4th line are not those kind of players. I'm with you, that's why i'd like to see hathaway get his shot, especially with versteeg out at the moment.

Hathaway - Lazar - brouwer, should be capable of playing that "energy" line kind of role....

Agreed. We’re just getting absolutely nothing out of the fourth line this season. At least the third line has shown glimpses and seems to be building some chemistry.

[NewFan]

Originally Posted by bax

I’m not one to be negative after a loss, but that was ugly. Our needs to tighten the screws and our bottom six needs to start producing.

Let’s see something like this:

Bennett - Jankowski - Mangapane

Brouwer - Hrivik - Hathaway

I think Brouwer should sit a game or too. Very bad for clearing puck, can't make pass, soo slow and his shot is so soft.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sounds like goals #1 and #3 were fluke goals. Hockey's a game of good bounces and bad bounces. I think we know how the bounces went tonight.

how the pucks ended up in the net were unlucky, however, why the puck was even in a spot to be directed to the net, were often straight off turnovers by the flames.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

the depth issues this team has, will not be fixed by game in and game out substitutions of Stajan/Lazar/Hamilton on the 4th line, just like the issues the bottom 4 D seem to be having won't be resolved by swapping in Bartkowski for kulak every now and then.

the coaches need to coach and break up the lines and pairings. the only thing that has worked all year is the first line, the first d-pair (according to the advanced stats) and the starting goalie. Why this team has been so rigid in changing the other lines/pairings doesn't make sense.

You are absolutely right. It's time for the coaches to deviate from the sacred rules that they seem to live by game in and game out. I believe that this team MUST have some kind of production from Sam Bennett to compete. Getting him going needs to be a priority. Why not break up the 3M line and get Bennett with Tkachuk? Tkachuk will almost certainly be able to drag him into the game.

Also, Hamonic and Brodie have been much worse that Stone and Brodie. I know it's Gulutzan's fantasy for that pair to work but it doesn't!

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sounds like goals #1 and #3 were fluke goals. Hockey's a game of good bounces and bad bounces. I think we know how the bounces went tonight.

All three goals (excluding empty-netter) were directly from wingers not getting the puck out when they had it.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Did Babcock out coach everyone 2 years ago with they finished dead last?

players play...and its 95% on them

No, but his GM out tanked nearly everyone to get Matthews.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Did Babcock out coach everyone 2 years ago with they finished dead last?

players play...and its 95% on them

Im just curious what you feel is the issue with the team?
Do you feel that they are playing to potential and GG is getting the best of out this group?

Either this group isn't as good as it looks on paper, and no other coach can change it = on the GM. Or, they are better than this and the coach isn't getting the best out of them.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by bax

Haha well yes I’m being hyperbolic to an extent, but this team won’t find much sustainable success until we get a bottom six that can contribute. Why not give Hrivik a shot at 4th line center?

I know Flames management thinks highly of him and Stajan/Lazar/Hamilton can’t seem to hold down the spot

I would consider bringing up one guy (hathaway) but you don't just take 3 or 4 of the top guys from the AHL team and call them up expecting results.

Janko absolutely dominated the AHL this season and has been average with a few flashes in the NHL. Its a big step up

Lack is 1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .920 save percentage call him up!


I get the frustration with the bottom 6 though

[Tinordi]

There is no getting Bennett going, what you see is what you get, ie. A more gritty less offensive Yakupov.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Matthews didn't have a shot for the first time in his career

suck it Leafs!

That's honestly the annoying part, their best player was invisible and they still won. How many times this season have the Flames won when Gaudreau has been held pointless? The Avs game and maybe one or two more. Lines 2-4 are not getting it done and our offensive Dmen are playing blindfolded in their own zone. Frustrating

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

There is no getting Bennett going, what you see is what you get, ie. A more gritty less offensive Yakupov.

I really, really hope you're wrong but I'm starting to think that it's possible that you might be right.

He was the right pick at the time and I loved it but I'd sure like to go back now and draft Ehlers or Nylander instead.

[Flash Walken]

Rough night for ferland, can't clear the puck and then it's his man who scores later in the shift as he's in no man's land. Backbreaking

Any news on Bennett?

[Tinordi]

And it's a serious lol that we're paying Brouwer $4.5. Treliving should be ashamed. I said day 1 of this signing that it would be terrible.

[MisterJoji]

If they can tread water until they inevitably pick it up around Christmas, we’ll be alright. The team does this every year. Bad to start and things finally starts to click in December. We’re already ahead of where we were this time last year so we won’t need a 10 game miracle run just to squeak into the playoffs. Play slightly better than .500 hockey until late December and then hopefully they start hitting their stride as they historically have.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Racki

I really, really hope you're wrong but I'm starting to think that it's possible that you might be right.

He was the right pick at the time and I loved it but I'd sure like to go back now and draft Ehlers or Nylander instead.

Even Virtanen is entering the discussion as the better pick which is big time baghead emoji.