[GDT] Game 3. Stars @ Flames at 8:57 on CBC

[Erick Estrada]

They have done well to this point considering they are being carried by their 3rd line and their top defenseman looks like he's on a steep decline. It's time for the team's top players to step up and show that they really want to win this series. I know everyone is ripping Gaudreau but it wouldn't hurt for Monahan to maybe create a scoring opportunity on his own for once or do anything of merit.

[ComixZone]

No excuses for the top line anymore.

They need to be producing. This team is screwed if their top offensive players are getting destroyed night in and night out. Gaudreau, Monahan, Giordano, Lindholm, Backlund and Tkachuk (if healthy) need to execute tonight. They have to contribute during 5v5 play!

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I am confident the Flames win this one

And I think you go with BSD - not because Talbot was bad but because it's a back to back.

Agreed....and its an easy sell to both Talbot and the club for that reason. If Rittich flubs it up, then its also easy to go right back to Cam.

[TOfan]

Gio’s play has been concerning so far and last night’s game may have been his worst in recent memory. He is so far from a Norris caliber defence man.

[Puppet Guy]

Boys are gonna be tired, so they gotta wake up and get going:




...and an extra special wake-up call for the top line:

[SportsJunky]

I thought that Calgary showed some resiliency and mental toughness knotting that game at 4-4 last night. They had plenty of opportunities to take their ball and go home but they hung in there. I'm guessing they'll learn from how it ended.

This team needs to impose their will on Dallas early. I believe they win tonight 3-2 with BSD in net.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Gio’s play has been concerning so far and last night’s game may have been his worst in recent memory. He is so far from a Norris caliber defence man.

The guys on the morning show this morning say they feel he's trying too hard, trying to do too many things, noting that he wasn't very good against the Avs last season as well. While I think there is merit to that I think it's a combination of factors:

1. He's going to be 37 years old in October. It could simply be that he's hit the wall.
2. He seems to be a bit of a slow starter in the past few regular seasons and after the COVID break has yet to get into his groove.
3. Overthinking the game and trying to do too much.

[tvp2003]

Ward will need to do some shuffling now that Johnny has been sent home from the bubble for being too soft, Gio is now a member of the Kraken, and Monahan has become allergic to his helmet and can no longer buckle his chin strap at all.

Gaudreau, Gio, Monahan out
Rinaldo, Stone, Buddy in

Stars win 9-0. NHL awards them the series despite winning only two games.

It’s been a great playoffs boys, see you next year!

[skcli]

If they go out and compete this should be an even game. If they continue to skate in sand this series could be over tonight. Last but not the least, please limit Guadreau's ice time. He should only be used during PPs. We cannot afford to be playing in our D-zone whenever he is on the ice. The only time I notice him is when he rush to the bench for a line change.


Go Flames !

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I thought that Calgary showed some resiliency and mental toughness knotting that game at 4-4 last night. They had plenty of opportunities to take their ball and go home but they hung in there. I'm guessing they'll learn from how it ended.

Forbort's words from his intermission interview were ringing in my ears when the goal went in.

"You know, we gotta get back to our game, get pucks out... get pucks deep"

Sam Bennett tries a fancy pass coming out of the d-zone that ends up being turned over and back the other way. Didn't get the puck deep.

Dillon Dube has a chance to clear but doesn't do it well. Didn't get the puck out.

Bam, suddenly in the back of one's own net. Funny how that works, eh?

[TheSquatch]

It was hard to watch last night's game because it had the same feel (to me) as watching the Flames play the Ducks for the last decade or so, just the level of intensity wasn't matched, and the chippy dirty stuff went uncalled. And the Flames don't really have an answer for that, even with Lucic out there.

But the big problem was that the team didn't answer the Stars' transition game, and I don't even think the Stars are considered a fast team, but their breakouts were clean, lots of passing in the neutral zone, and then lots of zone time and pressure. Calgary was able to score, but it wasn't really from 5 on 5 pressure.

Top line super mediocre, just no quality time and generated nothing 5 on 5. Hard to watch.

So to me it felt like the "same old story" - team fails to find another gear just as other teams DO find that gear, and you know that means a first round exit.

I'm super excited about Dube and Mangiapane, and Bennett too - they have found something, they are moving fast and working hard and causing chaos. But Ryan, Jankowski, Gaudreau, Rieder, ... they're not getting anything done 5 on 5 (sure loved Rieder's breakaway goal). And I think our weaker defense pair is showing too. Ras and Hanifin look okay, but Gio/Brodie are clearly over-trying and I think Forbort just isn't quite as good as he needs to be.

So... we'll see what happens tonight. Can they get it together and play at that next level and control the game? Or did Dallas find a method and an execution that the Flames can't match? And I have no idea what the answer is, I still don't understand what this team is, what they are capable of.

[Geeoff]

Bishop is one of the best goalies in the league and he had an off night last night. This one is gonna be tougher to win than yesterday. Flames better bring it

[SportsJunky]

Ward last night:

“(Regulars) know they need to be on top of it because we’ve got guys that are ready to step in and play — we’ve got guys that are dying to step in and play,” he said. “They’re showing it in the way that they practise. I can’t say enough about the guys that are with our team but are not in the lineup yet … in terms of how important their role is. It’s made our lineup be better.”

[loob job]

I hope Rittich starts as well. I just don't see how we can win it all with Talbot. He's played good and we may need him again but I think it's time to see if Rittch can take the ball and run with it. He is the type that can get hot for a month and take us deep.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by loob job

I hope Rittich starts as well. I just don't see how we can win it all with Talbot. He's played good and we may need him again but I think it's time to see if Rittch can take the ball and run with it. He is the type that can get hot for a month and take us deep.

I don't think they can with Rittich either. He has his share of mental lapses too.

I'm not opposed to starting him tonight though. There's no excuse for Talbot to let in that third goal.

[The Yen Man]

Well, we got game 2 out of the way. Onto game 3. I have a good feeling about this one. Flames bounce back while Chucky is out, top line finally does something. 5-2 Flames.

[scobel]

I am interested the line up changes, if I was the coach and good thing I am not I would roll.

Gaudreau Monahan Robinson
Mangiapane Backlund Lindholm
Lucic Bennett Dube
Quine Ryan Rieder

Giordano Brodie
Hanifin Anderson
Forbot Gustafsson

Rittich

I think adding Quine and Robinson gives Calgary lots of options to move some players around. Of course this I assuming Tkachuk is out, which is a huge loss. I also liked what Bennett did on the top line and you could always move Ryan back to the third line, but really hate to break that up.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Ward last night:

Unfortunately it’s an empty threat for Johnny.

[troutman]

Is @NHLPlayerSafety going to review the spear? Send them a request.

[scobel]

I know I have Ryan on the fourth line but would not mind seeing him get a few more minutes I think he has just been a victim of the numbers game.