[PGT] Flames show up 50 minutes late, lose 3-2 to Montreal

[Jimdon]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

When the team is consistently unprepared to play a big game is that still not a coaching problem?

Sorry the soft gloves don’t work with this team. Bring in a tougher coach and get results.

If players need someone to come in and whip them every day or they don't show up, that says more about the players than it does about the coach. Winning games isn't enough motivation for them?

[Dion]

Everytime this team makes us believe they are going to take it to the next level they pull off a stinker like this. We're better than this win a few lose a few syndrome. Makes wonder what kind of leadership we have on this team or if we have any.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

Yikes, Anaheim could pass us in the standings tomorrow and Colorado could be 2 points back with one game in hand heading into the break. Colorado also plays the Coyotes on the 27th, so before we play our next game on the 28th, we could find ourselves 12th in the conference with two tough back to back games against the sharks and the ducks. hold onto your hats boys, it could get much uglier before it gets better.

After tmr, EDM will be three points back.

[Karl]

You know what really sucks for the Flames? It is the fact that all the 4th liners on this team are absolute dog crap. They can't do anything remotely good offensively anymore aside from once in a blue moon. Basically completely unplayable. Just so, so, so no good.

I think it's time to call up two Stockton guys. Fire Freddie & Lazar on waivers, and pressbox Stajan & Brouwer.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

What seems to be getting lost is the upward trend this team was heading into tonight and sure enough after a disappointing loss, more knee jerk reactions. But let's break it down from December to illustrate how they were turning a corner.

Dec 2-Deplorable effort, embarrassed on home ice to Edmonton. Comeback meant nothing. Tire fire of defence cotinued.

Dec 4-Come off a bad effort with another poor one at home to a Philly team coming in on a 10 game losing streak. Played better for much of the game, but lost in a short period of time in the second. Defence looked shaky again.

Dec 6 and 7-Two great effort in Toronto and montreal taking home 3 of 4 points and defence looked very strong.

Dec 9-Boring game versus Van until the final 10 mins and a nice comeback win. Defence didn't give up much.

Dec 12-Very good road game in Minnesota. If not for missed empty nets, Flames would have had 2 points but instead lost in shootout. Another solid defensive game.

Dec 14-Tight game versus division rival in San Jose. Defence looked good, but lost late in the third. Tough pill to swallow.

Dec 16-I don't care what anyone says, they deserved a lot more in that Nashville game. Out chanced them, 4 posts. Couldn't buy a goal. Defence didn't give up much.

Dec 17-Played a bad Vancouver team and beat them like they should have. Didn't give up anything.

Dec 20-2-1 win versus STL in a scoreline that flattered the Blues. Defence strong again.

The common theme leading up to tonight was how the defense has clearly turned a corner. It's absolutely undeniable.

Tonight's result is a step back in terms of effort, but it's not as though the Habs were peppering Smith all night. My point being that even with a poor effort(and it was really poor tonight), they have a system in place right now that is not giving many grade A scoring chances to the opposition. Go back and watch some of the first 15-20 games, it's night and day.

I put tonight on a lack of effort, but also a lack of focus. Plenty of distractions which is a bad excuse to have, but it's also the truth.

You throw this game tape out the window, focus on the defensive game that is turning this team around.


There are a lot of games left in this season. They lost one of those tonight, not 20.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Jimdon

If players need someone to come in and whip them every day or they don't show up, that says more about the players than it does about the coach. Winning games isn't enough motivation for them?

Well the team has lost 6 straight to the Oilers, were swept in the playoffs last year, and are pathetic on home ice. Sure that could be a player problem. Bit wasn’t it largely the same roster that won a round in 2015 and won several big games without their captain? The roster has improved but now the team chokes when it matters?

I am sorry but I blame the coach for not having this team ready. Why are they so nervous and tentative when the game really matters?

[killer_carlson]

My favorite part of the game was that really strong 4th line shift with under 5 minutes left in the game. Really chewed up the clock and kept Montreal from scoring.

Of course we were actually down by 2 at the time and at no point were near to generating a chance ourselves during that shift ... but we really Corsi'd that moment!

[zamler]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

My favorite part of the game was that really strong 4th line shift with under 5 minutes left in the game. Really chewed up the clock and kept Montreal from scoring.

Of course we were actually down by 2 at the time and at no point were near to generating a chance ourselves during that shift ... but we really Corsi'd that moment!

You have it all wrong. It's the players sitting on the bench they need to make a difference.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

Yikes, Anaheim could pass us in the standings tomorrow and Colorado could be 2 points back with one game in hand heading into the break. Colorado also plays the Coyotes on the 27th, so before we play our next game on the 28th, we could find ourselves 12th in the conference with two tough back to back games against the sharks and the ducks. hold onto your hats boys, it could get much uglier before it gets better.

Anaheim is also in Pittsburgh tomorrow, and the Sharks could lose to the Kings and then we could pass them next Thursday with a win.

Too many ifs and way too early to get overly concerned.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I am sorry but I blame the coach for not having this team ready. Why are they so nervous and tentative when the game really matters?

That wasn't the case tonight. They were flat and not interested in playing the game.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Our 4th line would have a tough time cracking the top-6 of an AHL roster.

Quoted for truth.

It's high time for the 4th line to get an overhaul. Bring up a couple of Stockton guys, waive Freddie & Lazar and press box Stajan & Brouwer.

[kukkudo]

Team is not going anywhere with a pathetic 9-11-0 at home so fans need to stop making excuses with the oh its just one game bs. Game 40 is slowly approaching, either fire somebody or make the classic panic trade.

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by Jimdon

If players need someone to come in and whip them every day or they don't show up, that says more about the players than it does about the coach. Winning games isn't enough motivation for them?

I keep reading this over and over but I disagree.

There are very few workplaces that would function properly without a boss or supervisor. Especially a workplace filed with 20 year olds, how much they make is irrelevant.

A good leader/manager in the workplace can be the difference between a productive operation or A poor one, a positive environment or a poisonous one.

Bosses matter. And the coach of an NHL team is the players boss. He most definitely can impact the players' readiness for a game. This combined with how he conducts himself throughout high pressure scenarios which in this example is a game, gives us a good insight into whether he is a good boss or not.

He may be a good boss for the employees, but I don't think that he is a good boss for the company.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Dion

That wasn't the case tonight. They were flat and not interested in playing the game.

You really don't attribute any of that to coaching? And if it's not on the coaching staff then what? What can be done?

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Am I the only one thinking they shouldn't have called that timeout after the icing? They had them tired and on the ropes, and you hand them a chance to catch their breath in exchange for some Dave Cameron golden wisdom. Derp.

baffling decision.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Well the team has lost 6 straight to the Oilers, were swept in the playoffs last year, and are pathetic on home ice. Sure that could be a player problem. Bit wasn’t it largely the same roster that won a round in 2015 and won several big games without their captain? The roster has improved but now the team chokes when it matters?

I am sorry but I blame the coach for not having this team ready. Why are they so nervous and tentative when the game really matters?

Didn't that mainly same roster also also miss the playoffs badly the year after with the same coach that got them there??

2015 was an anomaly. A very fun year, but it was a bad team that caught some magic, but it was never going to last.

[Brick]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

What seems to be getting lost is the upward trend this team was heading into tonight and sure enough after a disappointing loss, more knee jerk reactions. But let's break it down from December to illustrate how they were turning a corner.

Dec 2-Deplorable effort, embarrassed on home ice to Edmonton. Comeback meant nothing. Tire fire of defence cotinued.

Dec 4-Come off a bad effort with another poor one at home to a Philly team coming in on a 10 game losing streak. Played better for much of the game, but lost in a short period of time in the second. Defence looked shaky again.

Dec 6 and 7-Two great effort in Toronto and montreal taking home 3 of 4 points and defence looked very strong.

Dec 9-Boring game versus Van until the final 10 mins and a nice comeback win. Defence didn't give up much.

Dec 12-Very good road game in Minnesota. If not for missed empty nets, Flames would have had 2 points but instead lost in shootout. Another solid defensive game.

Dec 14-Tight game versus division rival in San Jose. Defence looked good, but lost late in the third. Tough pill to swallow.

Dec 16-I don't care what anyone says, they deserved a lot more in that Nashville game. Out chanced them, 4 posts. Couldn't buy a goal. Defence didn't give up much.

Dec 17-Played a bad Vancouver team and beat them like they should have. Didn't give up anything.

Dec 20-2-1 win versus STL in a scoreline that flattered the Blues. Defence strong again.

The common theme leading up to tonight was how the defense has clearly turned a corner. It's absolutely undeniable.

Tonight's result is a step back in terms of effort, but it's not as though the Habs were peppering Smith all night. My point being that even with a poor effort(and it was really poor tonight), they have a system in place right now that is not giving many grade A scoring chances to the opposition. Go back and watch some of the first 15-20 games, it's night and day.

I put tonight on a lack of effort, but also a lack of focus. Plenty of distractions which is a bad excuse to have, but it's also the truth.

You throw this game tape out the window, focus on the defensive game that is turning this team around.


There are a lot of games left in this season. They lost one of those tonight, not 20.

They will need to get at least 56 points out of the remaining 46 games to total 95 points to squeak in to the playoffs. To date they have only achieved 39 points from 36 games. If that trend continues they will end up with around 89 points and out of the playoffs. Too many paper bag nights this season.

[868904]

I don't think i've seen a Flames team check out that badly before a Christmas break than that.

Complete lack of focus, lack of concentration and intensity.

Most of the players were already thinking about Christmas dinner and seeing their families.

Very unprofessional.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

There are a lot of games left in this season. They lost one of those tonight, not 20.

I bet by the end of the season if I add up the number of times you've posted this or something similar we'd be 15 points up in the standings. Game tonight was winnable have to take advantage.

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by 868904

I don't think i've seen a Flames team check out that badly before a Christmas break than that.

Complete lack of focus, lack of concentration and intensity.

Most of the players were already thinking about Christmas dinner and seeing their families.

Very unprofessional.

I'm not sure that this is the case or not but in a sadistic way I hope that they enjoy it all a little less with the weight of this performance hanging over them. Perhaps they might come back miserable and on a mission.