[PGT] 6 in a row!! Flames defeat the Islanders 3-1

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Will he be better than Czarnik, who with an assist today now has 5 points in 6 games since replacing Neal?

Will he be better than Frolik, who is strong defensively and tenacious on the forecheck?

Will he be better than Mangiapane, who looks like he is breaking out offensively and has excellent underlying numbers?

Will he be better than Hathaway, who also kills penalties for us?

If not then Neal shouldn't play. Because he is not better than Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Lindholm, or Bennett.

Maybe, to all those questions. One can hope.

[Strange Brew]

I think most athletes play better with the intensity that comes with the playoffs. That’s certainly different than “saving themselves” during the season which I don’t believe many professional athletes do. Definitely not the good ones.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Will he be better than Czarnik, who with an assist today now has 5 points in 6 games since replacing Neal?

Will he be better than Frolik, who is strong defensively and tenacious on the forecheck?

Will he be better than Mangiapane, who looks like he is breaking out offensively and has excellent underlying numbers?

Will he be better than Hathaway, who also kills penalties for us?

If not then Neal shouldn't play. Because he is not better than Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Lindholm, or Bennett.

We will have to wait and see. Patience is a virtue.

You’re a big Smith fan , right?

[fire_starter]

Just got back to our hotel from the game.

Wow great atmosphere. No issues with Isles fans at all and some were really complementing the flames. I loved the "Yes" chants too (even though they had scored)

[chummer]

Originally Posted by fire_starter

Just got back to our hotel from the game.

Wow great atmosphere. No issues with Isles fans at all and some were really complementing the flames. I loved the "Yes" chants too (even though they had scored)

Always wanted to see a game there, you’re lucky.

Looked like a great atmosphere, New Yorkers are fun.

[midniteowl]

What I don't understand is, why are people harping on James Neal after a win that Neal didn't play in. Yes, Neal hasn't live up to his contract, but he is here to stay, that's a given. Why continue to harp on it especially after a win. It almost seems like people would pick a player, say negative things about him, and will hijack any thread to do it. First it was Jankowski and then it was Sam Bennett and now James Neal. I don't know, I find it weird.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Bunk

The miles Neal has put on in these many long playoff runs certainly has taken a toll. Combine that with a player that already isn't fast, in a league that is playing much faster and that has caused him trouble. Combine that further with not terribly good chemistry with different linemates, a super low shooting percentage, some bad luck here and there, diminishing confidence as a result and he's at where he's at.

Hopefully the injury can bring him back rested and mentally refreshed. The playoffs too are a different style of play and a reset. So there is a chance things can turn around for him - at least to a degree where he's on like a 1 goal every 4 game pace during the playoffs. That would be good. We'll see.

Honestly, I never got this argument about long seasons.

How is a 2-4 week injury going to help him when a 3 month summer didn’t?

(Obviously he was in a funk and I expect better based on a stupidly low shooting percentage, but the rest thing seems like more old wives tale than logic)

[AC]

Stole this from a Sharks fan on Reddit:

The Calgary Flames are getting depth scoring and that's scary for every team in the West.

Rasmus Andersson, Matthew Tkachuk, Mikael Backlund got goals tonight vs. the Islanders

Against Ottawa, Backlund and Austin Czarnik.

Against Anaheim, TJ Brodie and Andrew Mangiapane

Against the Islanders back on the 20th, Backlund, Hamonic, Czarnik

Against Arizona, Derek Ryan, Mark Giordano, Czarnik, Michael Frolik and Backlund

Against Pittsburgh, Mangiapane, Frolik, Czarnik, Hamonic, Sam Bennett

[timbit]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

What I don't understand is, why are people harping on James Neal after a win that Neal didn't play in. Yes, Neal hasn't live up to his contract, but he is here to stay, that's a given. Why continue to harp on it especially after a win. It almost seems like people would pick a player, say negative things about him, and will hijack any thread to do it. First it was Jankowski and then it was Sam Bennett and now James Neal. I don't know, I find it weird.

Can’t pick on Smith or any other player tonight.

Let’s go after the injured players.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

What I don't understand is, why are people harping on James Neal after a win that Neal didn't play in. Yes, Neal hasn't live up to his contract, but he is here to stay, that's a given. Why continue to harp on it especially after a win. It almost seems like people would pick a player, say negative things about him, and will hijack any thread to do it. First it was Jankowski and then it was Sam Bennett and now James Neal. I don't know, I find it weird.

Smith is playing well, people need to shift their focus to a different over 30 year old to be mad at.

[Johnny Makarov]

Sorry 2nd derail. Trump is going down live right now on CNN!!! What a night!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Sorry 2nd derail. Trump is going down live right now on CNN!!! What a night!

for the third time this week? for realz this time super serious?

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

What I don't understand is, why are people harping on James Neal after a win that Neal didn't play in. Yes, Neal hasn't live up to his contract, but he is here to stay, that's a given. Why continue to harp on it especially after a win. It almost seems like people would pick a player, say negative things about him, and will hijack any thread to do it. First it was Jankowski and then it was Sam Bennett and now James Neal. I don't know, I find it weird.

A poster noted that the team played so well tonight (and in recent times) that who from this line-up do you take out when Neal is healthy.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by AC

Stole this from a Sharks fan on Reddit:

And Quine, Dube, Lazar are the 14th, 15th and 16th forwards. All can very likely chip in given the chance. And 13th forward Czarnik subbed in and put up 4 goals in 5 games, not too shabby.

The Flames' second line doesn't produce like a 1b line like some contending teams have (unless Tkachuk is feeling it), but their third and fourth lines are playing like most teams second lines since the calendar turned and they have extras that are better than most teams regular fourth line players.

Not to mention having 10 NHL caliber defensemen.

Flames are diving pool deep.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

A poster noted that the team played so well tonight (and in recent times) that who from this line-up do you take out when Neal is healthy.

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

He’s 10th on the team in hits, has had 0 fights and hasn’t even looked the remotest bit physical this season. I wish people would stop pretending he’s a beefy player. Slow, yes. Beefy, no.

Actually THIS is what started my debate with you...don't pretend you weren't trying to pile on Neal

I think he will play physical and "beefy" in the playoffs...he has in the past. I bet he picks it up a notch when he starts going to the hard areas.

nobody is excusing his season but who on this team has the playoff experience he does??


If Mike Smith can turn it around anyone can lol

[timbit]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

A poster noted that the team played so well tonight (and in recent times) that who from this line-up do you take out when Neal is healthy.

Things change in a hurry. Right?

[djsFlames]

Also special mention to Zebulon for his two assists today and his continuously magnificent season, now at 71 points and a +30.......

Treliving may very well have swapped Dougie Hamilton for a 35-40 point top four d-man and a 90 point top two way winger that does everything, the way things are shaking out. Quite the acquisition.

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Actually THIS is what started my debate with you...don't pretend you weren't trying to pile on Neal

I think he will play physical and "beefy" in the playoffs...he has in the past

What? My contribution to this thread is debating your ‘curious’ notion that Neal isn’t trying his hardest.

The Neal topic came up because a poster asked the question about who comes out for Neal.

What are you talking about?

Regardless...I’ll copy your ‘Neal not trying his Hardest’ comment into an existing Neal Thread and debate it there.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

A poster noted that the team played so well tonight (and in recent times) that who from this line-up do you take out when Neal is healthy.

Thanks for clarifying, but the way I saw that was you said something then dino reply something out of the ordinary, instead of letting it slide you piled on Neals and at the same time piled on dino. So, it's back and forth, on and on. I don't know, personally, I don't like this style of exchange, that's all.

[dino7c]

I guess we will find out in the playoffs...pretty confident we will see a different Neal

and I don't think the coaches will hesitate to take a bottom six guy with no playoff experience out of the lineup for Neal. In fact that I will guarantee it happens if Neal is healthy


Anyway another great win 87 points in February lol