[GDT] WCQF-G4: (P1) Calgary –1 @ (W2) Colorado -2 ~ 8:00pm (CBC, SN, NBCSN, TVAS)

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Joborule

We can differ on the merits of saying same ole Flames over the time period we're applying it too, but with only two first round advances since '89, I feel it's applicable to say it since no matter the roster composition, the franchise generally can't get the job done in the playoffs.

I guess they're doomed.

It's time to turn in your fan cards, everyone.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I don't entirely disagree with that but its not like the Avs are battle scarred. The Flames should be the team moving on from this round. Going on and losing to a real contender would be a battle scar I could more easily accept, but coming in as the best in the west and losing to the Avs would be a bitter disappointment. I'm optimistic they can still get it together and take care of business.

I think the issue is, it can be both disappointing and a battle scar that could benefit IF they lose. It’s not that they have to lose to grow, but it also doesn’t have to be to a team you deem a contender to have value either. Partially because the new NHL is so tight every team is good, including the AVS,but also because there is growth opportunities regardless of opponent. This group has never dealt with being a large favourite in the playoffs before. Should they lose, players, coaches and the GM will all learn lessons that will help this team be better next time. And the nice thing this time around is time is more on our side than it was with the post lockout Iginla Flames.

[keeper34]

Ferland's trade looking pretty bad for the Flames now. Series will be over in 5 if they don't response.

[Sainters7]

I'm weirdly feeling good again today, after all the negativity the past couple days. Got the jersey on again today at work, think we can do this..if anyone should know how to slow down MacKinnon's transformation into McDavid, you'd think it would be McDavid's arch rivals...Just get a W and the 6-2 embarrassment will be forgotten and it's a whole new series. Let's do this thing!! GFG

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by keeper34

Ferland's trade looking pretty bad for the Flames now. Series will be over in 5 if they don't response.

???

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Makarov

To me, the key for the Flames is to win the majority of puck battles, especially in the offensive zone.

Lindholm was so good at this early in the season and it really unlocked that line. I expect something is up there.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by keeper34

Ferland's trade looking pretty bad for the Flames now. Series will be over in 5 if they don't response.

That's just not a thing

[ClubFlames]

Originally Posted by keeper34

ferland's trade looking pretty bad for the flames now. Series will be over in 5 if they don't response.

lol

[Buff]

Hopefully seeing MacKinnon in action is a learning experience for our top guns. If they're our top guns and they want to win they need to find the extra gear like MacKinnon has done.

I remember Gretzky saying how they lost their first cup final and they walked past the Islanders dressing room on the way out expecting to see them celebrating and partying, but they saw a group of guys still icing their wounds as they celebrate. It showed the Oilers that they needed to make more sacrifices in order to win.

In this case MacKinnon is good but he's scary good this series because he is driven and just playing hard. Our top players need to just play hard and not be scared to do so.

[bax]

Originally Posted by keeper34

Ferland's trade looking pretty bad for the Flames now. Series will be over in 5 if they don't response.

Now that's a hot take. Flames aren't losing this series because of lack of physicality

[Toonage]

lmao Ferland trade looks great still.

Flames finished 1st in the West.

[sa226]

The funny thing is, that when they are playing the type of game that brought them success this season, its exactly the type of game you need to play in the modern NHL to slow down fast teams.

Team speed is rarely about who has the fastest players. Its about what group of players can play a speed game together. Mckinnon is the outlier here, but there is no reason that the Flames can't match or exceed the Avs speed. We don't need Monahan to go crossover for crossover with Mckinnon. We need all lines to stop turning the puck over, stop getting caught deep. The Dmen need to tighten up their gap control, and the forwards to backcheck a lot harder.

When the Flames were player their game this season, you could start to see when the ice started to tilt. Quite often the game would start with a sort of back and forth feeling out period, maybe a chance here and there. But then they would start to cause turnovers in the neutral zone and send the play the other way. This is not happening right now, we are overcommitting everywhere and Mckinnon and co have free reign to just waltz through the neutral zone.

Another thing that is worth pointing out is that the top line is not a "cycle line". Their success generally comes off the rush, quick transitions and turnovers. Monahan isn't great at protecting the puck on a cycle, but he's among the best at getting open. Finding the soft spots in coverage. I think we saw that the other night. Gaudreau had tons of time with the puck, but his options were completely closed off. That leads me to Lindholm. Everybody is talking about Gaudreau and Monahan, but he is as big of a culprit for the struggles of the top line as anybody. What he did when arriving was create a secondary puck possession player, who could shoot, pass and hold onto the puck. Plus he plays a centre's game. With Ferland, that line was fairly one dimentional. If Ferland wasn't creating space, they had the same struggles. Respect Johnny's ability and just cover the other 2.

Its part of what has made this team a terror to play against. The variety of styles of play. The top line is a quick strike offensive powerhouse. The 3M line is a puck possession cycling nighmare with a dose of Tkachuk. The 3rd line is a more physical cycle line that should be able to wear you down, and the 4th line is a plucky group that will just flat out outwork you and create mismatches. None of this is the case right now.

We all rag on Monahan, but he really does play more of a wingers game. He is really good at what he does, but it can't be expected that he becomes something he isn't. Lindholm has far exceeded expectations this season, so he escaping much of the criticism, but his play is what elevated those other 2 to elite levels because of what he brings. He needs to get going.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by keeper34

Ferland's trade looking pretty bad for the Flames now. Series will be over in 5 if they don't response.

Lol wut.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

I was suffering greatly game one with a kidney stone so as enjoyable as it was it wasn't very enjoyable. However, I have been fine for the last two games and we have all seen how that has worked out. With this scientific evidence behind me I have decided to once again suffer the wraths of the kidney stone for the good of the team.

All bow down (and cry) at the might of the kidney stone.

Who needs Mark Stone when we have Kidney Stone

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Joborule

We can differ on the merits of saying same ole Flames over the time period we're applying it too, but with only two first round advances since '89, I feel it's applicable to say it since no matter the roster composition, the franchise generally can't get the job done in the playoffs.

Franchise is irrelevant is the point. People are relevant. These people are just starting to write their story, the fact that the Flames franchise has chapters before this group has 0 baring on whether this group will continue to add to your suffering or become s bright spot in your fan history.

This team is entitled to their learning curve and aren’t disqualified from it cause Fleury and Iginla let you down years ago.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by Kybb79

Peters needs to double shift that 1st line. 25 mins plus tonight, enough with 15 mins a game. Put Bennett on the 1st line would be nice also.

He can't. That line is a defensive liability.

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by keeper34

Ferland's trade looking pretty bad for the Flames now. Series will be over in 5 if they don't response.

I guess having a guy who netted more goals & points in his first year then what Ferland ever did in a Flames uniform is pretty bad for the Flames. Remind me what Ferland did in the last playoff series for the Flames.

They aren't missing his physical edge that he brought for one series.

[Puppet Guy]

This thread needs more levity - I summon POTATO POWER!!!!!

[AltaGuy]

Would love to see Czarnik, Dube, and Kylington or Valimaki in. Get a speed game going, stop looking for hits. Hope we see some tidy adjustments to play our style of hockey.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

At this point I don't think the top players on this team have any confidence, and I don't expect they'll get it back. They are a soft group still, and the only top player that can occasionally show up in a big moment is Tkachuck.

I suspect that there are two more games left in the season for the Flames. MacKinnon has become a man possessed, and the Flames top players look lost. You can't win when this happens.

You mean like the Oilers determined was the case with Eberle?

Don't get me wrong. Our top guys have played worse and worse as the series has gone on and they absolutely have to turn it around. But I think Peters has to figure this out too. This is his first time to the playoffs and the team is not performing. Trotz' team had Crosby playing like Monahan and Gaudreau, and Eberle playing like a consistent clutch performer.

Hopefully they turn it around tonight. But you still can't over-react. The same players respond differently in different circumstances. Hard to put a finger on what it takes.