[PGT] 1-1 series. Off to Colorado.

[Robo]

I think that was the single worst game I have seen Brodie play other than that though it was a fun game to watch it's going to be a fun series

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Robo

I think that was the single worst game I have seen Brodie play other than that though it was a fun game to watch it's going to be a fun series

It was a great game to watch, just was a crap result.
Things being taken far too seriously by some.
Flames will be much better next one.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

People think playing MacKinnnon and Rantanen for 25 minutes a game is going wear them out?

Nah son, getting cycled hard in their own zone for 25 minutes a game is going to wear the FLAMES out.

Especially their 36 year old goalie who needed a second wind just to get back to playing like an NHLer again.

I still think the Flames take this series, but seriously, I think the player suffering most from the Avs stars getting double-shifted is Mike Smith.

[Beninho]

If you look around the league, most teams who lost in game 1 tend to play desperate hockey in game 2. The flames did not match the Avs desperation and I’m sure they are aware of that. Some rough hot takes in here, Flames were outplayed but it wasn’t some ass whooping some are making out to be.

I’d like the flames to stop worrying about which line goes up against the Mack line. Backlund looked tired last game, it should be a platoon effort to stop him and that way the flames can better effectively use their depth.

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[thefoss1957]

I didn't get a chance to see the game, but, am familiar with the feelings of some of the fans here. Going 1-1 in a series isn't insurmountable, and, frankly, if a team is incapable of winning a road game or two, then that team isn't really good enough to make a deep run in a playoff.


Now, your guys winning one in Denver is critical. In watching my team over the last decade, it always seemed that it is game FOUR that is the "must win" game, that is the most likely game to take, on the road, if the series splits to start. So, there is still no need to panic.


Reading about the game, your guys got good enough goaltending, and generated enough chances. So, it is a matter of keeping the consistency, and finding a way to steal Home Ice back.


Looking at the talent on your squad, this is doable.

[skcli]

Flames was dominated by Avs last night. Brodie just made the worst mistake in the PP. The speed of the Avs are terrifying and zone entry was as easy as buying a donut from Tims. I hope Peter will adjust the game plan for game three. The Avd outplayed the Flames and deserved the win.

On to game three, Go Flames!

[troutman]

Originally Posted by skcli

Flames was dominated by Avs last night. Brodie just made the worst mistake in the PP. The speed of the Avs are terrifying and zone entry was as easy as buying a donut from Tims. I hope Peter will adjust the game plan for game three. The Avd outplayed the Flames and deserved the win.

On to game three, Go Flames!

Brodie had a bad night, but Rasmus put him in a tough spot on the PP with a weak pass. Brodie should have bailed out then, instead of pinching.

[Bourque's Twin]

Colorado has been on a hot streak the last several weeks, has the best top line in the NHL and a hot goalie. It’s not an easy series. The Flames are the better team, but anything can happen in the playoffs. Lots of hockey left.

[heep223]

Bump Rasmus up with Gio permanently.

[oldschoolcalgary]

easier to say than do, but I really believe they need to hit/chip mckinnon more... he's taking over games and letting him waltz around like he is

[2macinnis2]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

easier to say than do, but I really believe they need to hit/chip mckinnon more... he's taking over games and letting him waltz around like he is

If the McKinnon coming out party continues, this won't end well for the Flames. Despite Backlund playing a good game 1, McKinnon was still way too much of a puck possession factor through both games. This simply cannot continue. Obviously he is a terrific player, but I argue it is now time for Peters to take the old Bill Belichick 'make them beat you left-handed' approach.

I would propose a significant change to how the Flames defend McKinnon. Rather than line-match (which is hard to do on the road anyways, and no line on the Flames can/should play 24 minutes a game), I would 'shadow' him. This was a technique more employed in the 90s-early 2000s clutch and grab era (see Devils and even Red Wings), but I think it could also work well for this team and frustrate the Avs' star player. The good news for Calgary is that they have players on all their top 3 lines that could serve as good shadows (I would also argue the Janko-Neal-Frolik should be the 4th line and avoid the Avs big line wherever possible).

The basic premise for those who don't remember, one guy's job is simply to follow him around wherever he goes, particularly when the Flames are on the attack/have the puck and in the neutral zone. He's never really open in the case of turnovers or on break-outs. A stick is in his stick every time he gets near the puck. Yes, this is disruptive to your forecheck and offensive game, but I think negating McKinnon right now is more important than adhering to a strict offensive system, especially on the road. On line 1, this is Lindholm; line 2, Backlund; line 3, Ryan. It needs to be a fresh player since McKinnon's conditioning is superb. Sure, maybe he finds a way to track open now and then, but I think if the shadow did their job well, this could totally disrupt the Avs offense (not to mention get totally under his skin) and force them into significant adjustments, which I'm not sure if they are capable of.

[Erick Estrada]

The 3M line really struggled matched up against the McKinnon line. They were better when Peters put Lindholm on the line. Overall the Avalanche have been the quicker, harder working team and are a little unlucky not to be up 2-0 so far. I know it's Peters first playoffs but this isn't the regular season and he needs to wake up some players quickly they aren't going to win the series playing like they did in the first two games. Being on the road probably is a good thing as the players need to get back to basics and not worry about impressing the home crowd.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

In no universe is a team who got shutout 4-0 in game 1 “unlucky not to be up 2-0”. That’s asinine.

[ComixZone]

Random thoughts...

Sam Bennett with three apples in two games. This guy just gets to it come playoff time.

Sean Monahan isn’t engaging in battles the way he needs to. We all know he’ll be invisible from time to time and then pop up with a goal, but usually when he’s “on”, you see him engaged along the boards. He isn’t working hard enough in those areas on the ice. I expect him to be much better in Game 3.

Brodie had a real rough night. His speed should be a huge asset, but unfortunately his decision making skills with the puck is well below where it should be.

Mikael Backlund had a bad game.

I still think NHL referees are the worst part of the game. Call the rule book, stop managing games inconsistently.

Mike Smith is a beast.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

In no universe is a team who got shutout 4-0 in game 1 “unlucky not to be up 2-0”. That’s asinine.

60% of this thread is asinine

[CroFlames]

Flames are objectively the better team, but that doesn’t count for crap if the other team wants it more. Then you have MacKinnon who has found that rare extra playoff gear and the Avs have a chance.

Flames need to regroup and play like they can.

MacKinnon was absolutely flying out there last night. One of those playoff performances that you don’t easily forget.

The C of Red did their part, credit where it’s due.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

I can't watch game (out of country), but from the highlights, Smith stood tall, Brodie making mistakes on the two regulation colorado goals, Calgary couldn't finish their chances in OT, and MacKinnon could. That about sum it up?

Brodie had a rough night but that goal was all on Andersson not Brodie. He can’t be chipping the puck back towards Brodie 3 feet in the air when he’s standing at the blue line and the only man back.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by troutman

Brodie had a bad night, but Rasmus put him in a tough spot on the PP with a weak pass. Brodie should have bailed out then, instead of pinching.

Exactly this, Rasmus decision to chip the puck to Brodie there was the catalyst for that goal. You don’t chip the puck to your partner when the opposing player is already skating towards and is a stride away from Brodie, who is on the blue line. It was as weak of a play by Rasmus as it was a bad attempt to keep the puck in from Brodie.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

In no universe is a team who got shutout 4-0 in game 1 “unlucky not to be up 2-0”. That’s asinine.

Game one was all Mike Smith. If he's not in god mode and the Avs get the lead in the first half of the game it's highly doubtful the Flames win that one. The Avs have been the better team for 5/6 periods in this series. This is the playoffs and you can make all the excuses you want for the Flames but if they continue playing like this we will be discussing post-season Flames in two weeks. I'm not saying they are going to lose the series because I think they can play a lot better but if they don't they will not make it into the 2nd round.

[Rubicant]

I thought the flames were the best team in game 1, and by far the second best team in game 2.

The avs were skating and winning puck battles and their first line completely dictated play. It looks like our first line in particular wants to plant flowers, not pull weeds and that’s not how to have success in the playoffs.

If our big guys can get engaged and show some urgency, with and especially without the puck then we will be in good shape. It was my main worry coming into the playoffs aside from goaltending (thanks Smith, you’ve been awesome!) as they have been fairly pedestrian since the all star break. We have superior depth, but as cliched as it is, a team only goes as far as their top players take them.

I still think we take this. These playoffs might turn out to be one of the better chances for our team to do something big. Tampa might shockingly go out early, the west is wide open, and it appears Smith is ready to rock. I really hope they don’t squander the opportunity.