Isn't that the second time this week you've called me dramatic?
I never said I don't have faith in Peters, I never said there wasn't some method to his madness, never said they couldn't change them mid game, never hinted they wouldn't change them mid game.
Just said the lines don't look good to me.
The rest flipped out of your grey matter.
You could have fooled me after inferring that 3/4 lines have been unjustly torpedoed by Peters. Its quite a reach to suggest that in calling these lines 'an abomination' you actually just meant you simply didn't like them. You would be the first person to call a poster out for doing exactly what you just did.
These changes make perfect sense given how poorly Monahan has been playing and this is exactly where an elite coach makes his presence felt. There's every reason to believe a prideful Monahan will be kicked right into high gear by this and start playing like a top line player again. Until then, Ryan deserves a chance to run with this based on the last 25 games he's had, even though it will surely be short lived. He's certainly far better than just a 4th line centre on this team.
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Last edited by Hot_Flatus; 03-27-2019 at 02:32 PM.
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I know a lot is being made of the lines ahead of tonight’s match, but what about the d-pairings? Feels like we have given up a ton of odd man rushes lately whether it be 5v5 or the PP. Wonder if we could stand to use a shake up there also or see some new blood draw in before the season ends?
I know a lot is being made of the lines ahead of tonight’s match, but what about the d-pairings? Feels like we have given up a ton of odd man rushes lately whether it be 5v5 or the PP. Wonder if we could stand to use a shake up there also or see some new blood draw in before the season ends?
I don't think it has been bad. The Flames surrendered only three high-danger scoring chances in Monday's game. They have won the scoring chance battle in four of their last five with a 44–30 HDSC split overall, and they have limited HDCS against to single digits in each of those games. That is quite good.
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Anyone who calls Ryan a fourth-line centre is wrong and has always been wrong. He's been playing in that role here, but he would be in the top-nine on most teams and honestly should be here, too -- he's far better than Jankowski.
100% agreed. Well maybe 80% agreed, he isn't far better than Jankowski, but that's another debate. Anyway the same poster had a take on Monahan yesterday that was downright puzzling as well.
It doesn't matter what line Ryan played on previously and I couldn't care less if Frolik was a healthy scratch this year, or that he asked for a trade. All that matters is how they're playing well.
The "top line" has been average 5on5 the entire season regardless and I believe Gaudreau is such a fine offensive player that he can carry two lesser players even strength the way Kane does in Chicago. Doing this opens up the lines all the way down the roster. Still allowing the big guns to reunite on the power play.
I don't even care if we win, I just want Monahan to break out of his funk and start looking like an NHL center again.
This is what I've grown to love about Peters. He knows when to go for broke or mix the bag with his team.
He doesn't sit around with his hands at his sides like so many of the Gulutzan esque stooges do and hope things turn around. Coaches who are too scared to try something new or are unwilling to trust young players with significant roles get you nowhere in today's league.
My money is on a pretty notable resurgence for this team tonight given the message being sent via lineup changes and opportunity the team has to lock the division down.
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Typically odd man rushes are the forwards fault. There is the odd bone headed pinch by a dman, but usually it's a case of forwards getting caught deep and/or being out of position. Particularly in this system where the D are highly encouraged to pinch and jump, the forwards have extra responsibility to cover.
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Typically odd man rushes are the forwards fault. There is the odd bone headed pinch by a dman, but usually it's a case of forwards getting caught deep and/or being out of position. Particularly in this system where the D are highly encouraged to pinch and jump, the forwards have extra responsibility to cover.
Exactly. In this system you have to live with some odd man rushes in order to get the reward we have enjoyed all season. The D have been fine for the most part and I doubt we see any changes until someone is banged up or the division is locked down.
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Exactly. In this system you have to live with some odd man rushes in order to get the reward we have enjoyed all season. The D have been fine for the most part and I doubt we see any changes until someone is banged up or the division is locked down.
I guess I should have been more specific. I meant 2 on 1’s in particular and cases where we have bad pinches or mis-play the puck at the blue line. I get team defence is the responsibility of all 5 guys on the ice, but I feel like our d has gotten a bit sloppy coming back into our zone. Perhaps we executed the d pinch to keep the puck cycling in the offensive zone so well most of the year that these breakdowns were bound to eventually occur?
Either way, Go Flames Go! Here’s to a good team effort tonight.
At risk of being a positive Peter, imagine if Ryan does the absolute business tonight (and the rest of the season) and eventually solidifies himself as a second-line-level centerman. We'd have him as $3-odd million per season for the next two, at either playing an important role for us, or he suddenly becomes incredible trade bait.
Ryan will be an upgrade given the funk that Monahan is currently in.
Frolik is also a good compliment -- provides some energy when he's skating, forechecks well, and has some finish. I remember him scoring against LA in the second (?) game of the season last year, on a nice give and go with Gaudreau:
As for Johnny, this is a guy that helped Josh Jooris score 12 goals in his rookie season. Ryan and Frolik just need to keep their sticks on the ice and not miss the open net.
I haven't really thought about it that way, but the simple 'be in the right place' linemates might be exactly what Johnny needs. While Frolik and Ryan seem like odd options on the 1st line, 'people that keep their sticks on the ice' might be all Johnny needs around him to get going right now. It might be that simple to help them stop overthinking the game, and 2 guys that have been thinking the game very well might give Johnny options all night.
Monahan also might just need to play a few less-pressure games to get back into his grove and get back to making life easy for Johnny. Given what the 1st line could do, and what the 2nd line more than likely will do... he could be finding some open space he hasn't seen in a while.
What he does tonight matters, make no mistake about that. What doesn't matter is everything he's done before this season. The Flames have a chance to go on a deep run and do something special and they aren't doing it with a player like him, playing the way he has for this long.
You're right, this isn't about proving anything, it's about getting this guy to be a productive member of the team again. Offensively, defensively, it all needs to improve. If this doesn't light a spark under him, I would be very surprised and concerned.
This is bang on, except for the last sentence. Monahan himself mentioned he's not confident right now, and his slump has been going on for about six weeks, so his staying mired in it wouldn't be a surprise, nor would it be much more cause for concern that some fans (myself included) and maybe the team already have.
Otherwise, yeah, the idea of him "proving" something tonight is irrelevant, and his past success only matters inasmuch as we know what Monahan is capable of. I don't know that that's very important right now. These days, he's not producing, full stop. The only thing of immediate and near-future relevance with respect to Monahan is whether he can get going again.
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