[GDT] 2020 WC Play-In Round: Calgary Flames (8) vs. Winnipeg Jets (9) Flames 2-1

[CASe333]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't think the Flames starter has been announced yet, has it?

No you are right no announcement but I'm still surprised the poll went the way it did and my sentiment is that Rittich is our best chance of going all the way so you start with your best foot fwd.

My gut says starting Talbot would be akin to starting Smith.... Not that Smith was the reason the oilers lost but he certainly didn't help. Anyways doesn't matter in the end if we win!

[David Struch]

Who was in net when the Flames won seven in a row?

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by David Struch

Who was in net when the Flames won seven in a row?

Kiprusoff?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't think the Flames starter has been announced yet, has it?

It was proven to Ward that the %XGF goes way up going with 6 skaters.

The Opposition position time is minimal. They shoot as soon as they get the puck ..... and from low scoring chance areas.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Kiprusoff?

Yeah, start that guy.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

That sounds like the right call to me.

I wouldn't want to fall back on Rittich.

Either Talbot the entire way, or Rittich and if he faulters than Talbot.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

It was proven to Ward that the %XGF goes way up going with 6 skaters.

The Opposition position time is minimal. They shoot as soon as they get the puck ..... and from low scoring chance areas.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by CASe333

I'm curious why not go with the future starter right from the get go?

Talbot played better against Edmonton, so let him keep playing. If he keeps playing well, keep him in. If he has a bad game, give the other guy a shot.

Pretty simple.

Why start the guy who played worse in the last game out? It's not like this is game 1 of the regular season.

[Meers]

Sadly, neither of our goaltenders stack up to Hellebuyck.

To win, the Flames are just gonna have to flat outplay the Jets by a wide margin outside of the crease. It's certainly not impossible, but it will require tremendous effort and attention to detail from every player.

[united]

This should be a fun series between two teams whose top lines thrive on the rush. Obviously, one has the huge advantage on the blue line while the other the huge advantage in goal.

As much well-deserved criticism as Monahan gets for his indifference to play in his own end by way of conserving energy for offence instead of fully committing to both ends of the ice, Scheifele is even worse in that aspect of the game - one of the worst defensive centres in the league behind the Oilers' duo. So poor, in fact, I'm comfortable in the Flames matching either the first or second lines head-to-head with the Jets' top trio - the Monahan line can hang playing run-and-gun, while the Backlund line can easily frustrate Winnipeg's group. Regardless of which line coach Ward gives the assignment, the other group should be able to handily outplay whatever depth group they face on the other side.

The one thing that can cause the Flames significant issues, just as it did last year, is the Jets' counter-attacking speed. Continuing the trend of last year's playoffs disaster, the Flames ranked 31st in the NHL this season in rush goals against, while the Jets ranked 1st in rush goals for (per Sports Logiq). Last year, the Flames' forwards - in particular the top line - cheated for offensive even more than they usually do and got burned by a lack of positional discipline by the third forward (third man high). The wave of resulting odd-man rushes, combined with the Avalanche's explosive speed, compounded in the Flames' defenders collapsing to their own crease destroying neutral zone structure. Though while the Flames finished last again, both coach and GM have spent the past four or five months preaching positional discipline with a focus on the top line. I believe that with that hammered home, we'll see the top line with a new disciplined focus, although relying on a historically poor unit to change their game against the best counter-attacking team in the league is perhaps a bit much to ask. However should things start poorly, coach Ward can easily match Backlund's line, and their superb positional awareness, into the matchup. Regardless, recognizing switches and maintaining tactical discipline will be critical when the Jets' top line is out there.

On the back end, everybody knows that the Flames hold an enormous advantage, with all three Flames' pairings being better than their Jets counterparts for my money - and further, I like the Flames' 2nd pairing more then the Jets' 1st. The Jets defenceman, as a group, are immobile, poor defensively, and poor puck movers. In particular, they are heavily susceptible to a relentless forecheck as they often punt when pressured - if not turn the puck over outright. Luckily for the Flames, lines 2-4 are all strong forecheckers who will be able to have tremendous success against the Jets breakout so long as the third forward high tracks appropriately, which is especially important against breakout and neutral zone machine, Nik Ehlers.

The Jets, of course have the advantage on the powerplay but the Flames (aside from 93) are fairly composed and disciplined.

All that said, controlling play is one thing. Scoring is another. Even the biggest Flames fanatics can't help but admit that goaltending is the most one-sided aspect of this series, on paper. The series will likely play out as the Flames throwing the kitchen sink at the Jets with wave after wave entering the Jets' zone, but Hellebuyck has the ability to repel all that which can easily frustrate the Flames forwards.

Flames in 4.

[1qqaaz]

Great analysis. You make a lot of good points.

[Inferno]

I hope we see alot of low blocker shots on Hellebuyck. That seems to be the spot that the Jets fans I do know complain that he struggles with.

[EVERLAST]

Any rebounds from Hellebuyck will be rare.

If we actually aren't shooting from thr perimeter only and actually screen, bump and deflect shots we win this series.

I've seen us do this but not consistently to be comfortable saying I know this is how we will dominate .

We need Bennett, Dube, Eat Bread , Rinaldo Reider and Lindolm to be our fierce forechecks and our other forwards to back check hard and play good 200 ft games .

If our D has the forwards doing the above for them we win because if our D can be activated and contribute to our offence well score way more ....seeing Gio or any of our defense scoring goals means we are playing right.

And if all of the above is happening it shouldn't matter who is in Net.....1 hour to puck drop

[WinnipegFan]

Looking forward to fun series, my two favourite teams playing each other. Win win for me in the end, but gotta cheer for my boys Go Jets Go!

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames starting Cam Talbot in net tonight for game one vs. Winnipeg.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by WinnipegFan

Looking forward to fun series, my two favourite teams playing each other. Win win for me in the end, but gotta cheer for my boys Go Jets Go!

It will not be fun for Winnipeg or their fans.

[WinnipegFan]

Originally Posted by MrMike

It will not be fun for Winnipeg or their fans.

We shall see, we shall see.

[dammage79]

Knew it was gonna be Talbot. Give em heck!

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg
@Fan960Steinberg
Lineups are in. Zac Rinaldo will sit as a healthy scratch. Mark Jankowski in. #Flames

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Knew it was gonna be Talbot. Give em heck!

Yea, it's not at all surprising. He was pretty solid in the exhibition game, while Rittich looked shakey.