[PGT] Flames 2 Sens 1

[Enoch Root]

no - 9 and 4

they are 18 points shy of 96

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

78 plus 16 is 94.

Ha. Nice ninja edit.

Not quick enough for you haha

[Robbob]

In his defense I still think that the playoff line will come down to 94 when all things are said and done.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I liked this one from unnamed Oilers fan.

Bennett: 21 years Old. 69GP - 26 Points. $1.95M

Lucic: 29 Years Old. 67GP - 32 Points. $6.0M

Those 6 extra points of his are pretty expensive.

Gun to your head which would you prefer?

[CaptainCrunch]

You know, my mamma always told me to say something nice about someone even if they're no good. Its tough with the Oilers of course, because there's nothing nice to say.

But with all of the complaints about Sam Bennett, I see the biggest improvement in terms of his overall strength. He's stronger now then at the start of the year, he's winning board battles more frequently and he's driving and winning a lot of those battles to the net.

I tend to think with Bennett, that its a matter of confidence and being too young when he came to the NHL. He had that teenager strength, which is find in impressing girls by curling 6 packs of beer, and skipping rocks across the body, but in the last half of the season, he's starting to be able to battle more experienced NHL players and he's not giving up a huge advantage in terms of strength and leverage.

I still think that this kid can succeed in the NHL, maybe he's not going to be that number 1 center that everyone salivated over. But he's going to be a top 6 winger with an edge that might not light it up with 30 or 40 goals. But he's going to be that indispensable piece in the top 6 that doesn't hurt you up front, brings a edge, and chips in.

[TheIronMaiden]

7-2-4 feels more doable than 9-4

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Locke

I liked this one from unnamed Oilers fan.

Bennett: 21 years Old. 69GP - 26 Points. $1.95M

Lucic: 29 Years Old. 67GP - 32 Points. $6.0M

Those 6 extra points of his are pretty expensive.

Gun to your head which would you prefer?

I think that’s actually misleading as far as making Lucic look better in comparison to Bennett than he actually is. Bennett has scored 1.76 P/60 at 5v5 (23 in under 800). Lucic has scored 1.50 P/60 at 5v5 (23 in over 900 minutes, 409:24 with McDavid).

I think Bennett has been a much better player this season.

[Kovaz]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

You know, my mamma always told me to say something nice about someone even if they're no good. Its tough with the Oilers of course, because there's nothing nice to say.

But with all of the complaints about Sam Bennett, I see the biggest improvement in terms of his overall strength. He's stronger now then at the start of the year, he's winning board battles more frequently and he's driving and winning a lot of those battles to the net.

I tend to think with Bennett, that its a matter of confidence and being too young when he came to the NHL. He had that teenager strength, which is find in impressing girls by curling 6 packs of beer, and skipping rocks across the body, but in the last half of the season, he's starting to be able to battle more experienced NHL players and he's not giving up a huge advantage in terms of strength and leverage.

I still think that this kid can succeed in the NHL, maybe he's not going to be that number 1 center that everyone salivated over. But he's going to be a top 6 winger with an edge that might not light it up with 30 or 40 goals. But he's going to be that indispensable piece in the top 6 that doesn't hurt you up front, brings a edge, and chips in.

I tend to agree. Bennett still brings a lot of good things even when he's struggling offensively. His biggest problem aside from confidence is understanding exactly what he's capable of at this level. It's one of the things Backlund is great at - he always makes a choice that he'll be able to execute, and he realizes when there isn't an open pass or skating lane, so he takes a safe dump-in. Bennett does still tend to force plays that aren't there but he's improved dramatically in that regard. I'd also say having linemates like Jankowski and Jagr/Lazar/Hathaway helps a ton because they can all win physical battles on a dump-and-chase play, so it's not as much of a waste compared to Versteeg and Brouwer.

It also makes me wonder if his ice time plays a role. I think it's harder not to force things when you're getting fewer shifts, since you feel like your next chance might be a period away or more. If you know you'll be out again in 2 minutes it might be easier to accept a dump-in and line change.

[Rejean31]

This is a preseason game disguised as an NHL game.

Well, lets face it, an Oiler fan would know a little about pre season games, what with being pre season champs and all. Sure would be nice to be playing meaningful games in March though, hey Oily fan?

[blender]

I think any GM in the league would take Bennett over Lucic at any salary right now.

[442scotty]

I hope the team has a run the table mindset. Don't want them thinking that they can afford to lose a few cause then sure as $@&# they will

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

You know, my mamma always told me to say something nice about someone even if they're no good. Its tough with the Oilers of course, because there's nothing nice to say.

But with all of the complaints about Sam Bennett, I see the biggest improvement in terms of his overall strength. He's stronger now then at the start of the year, he's winning board battles more frequently and he's driving and winning a lot of those battles to the net.

I tend to think with Bennett, that its a matter of confidence and being too young when he came to the NHL. He had that teenager strength, which is find in impressing girls by curling 6 packs of beer, and skipping rocks across the body, but in the last half of the season, he's starting to be able to battle more experienced NHL players and he's not giving up a huge advantage in terms of strength and leverage.

I still think that this kid can succeed in the NHL, maybe he's not going to be that number 1 center that everyone salivated over. But he's going to be a top 6 winger with an edge that might not light it up with 30 or 40 goals. But he's going to be that indispensable piece in the top 6 that doesn't hurt you up front, brings a edge, and chips in.

I’d like to see Bennett back on the left wing with Backs with Chucky on the right wing (he has said he can play both wings). I think other teams would go nuts. Move Frolik to Janko’s line. He can play either side so we can trade for another winger to go with this combo.

[Patek23]

Realistically we only have to play better then the Ducks going forward. 9-4 is great and probably gets us in but if the Ducks go on a slide it’s going to take us a lot less.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

Realistically we only have to play better then the Ducks going forward. 9-4 is great and probably gets us in but if the Ducks go on a slide it’s going to take us a lot less.

It doesn't get more Calgary Flames than backing into the post season.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It doesn't get more Calgary Flames than backing into the post season.

I hate this phrase. No team "backs in" to the playoffs. Every team that makes the playoffs gets enough points over the 82-game season to get into the playoffs as compared to the other teams.

If you have played all your games and are in a playoff position, and one team needs to win to pass you, and they don't, you did exactly what you needed to do to get in, and they didn't.

It does not matter if that key game was game 3, game 45 or game 82.

Now, you may not be on a hot streak going in, and that may cost you, but you don't "back in".

/end rant

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

7-2-4 feels more doable than 9-4

Points in 11 of the next 13 feels more doable than points in 9 of the next 13?

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

Realistically we only have to play better then the Ducks going forward. 9-4 is great and probably gets us in but if the Ducks go on a slide it’s going to take us a lot less.

The Ducks aren't going to slide. They never do. It's one of the many reasons I hate them so damn much. Flames are just gonna have to take care of their own business, as I don't see LA or the Sharks falling out either.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by direwolf

The Ducks aren't going to slide. They never do. It's one of the many reasons I hate them so damn much. Flames are just gonna have to take care of their own business, as I don't see LA or the Sharks falling out either.

Disagree. Out of all the teams we’re chasing I think the Ducks are the most vulnerable. They’re not what they used to be

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It doesn't get more Calgary Flames than backing into the post season.

I don't think you know what backing into the playoffs actually is.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

I hope the team has a run the table mindset. Don't want them thinking that they can afford to lose a few cause then sure as $@&# they will

Agreed. They should feel the knives at their backs every single game.

The race is too tight and the first one to stumble is the first one trampled by the rest of the pack.