[PGT] Anemic offense, Flames lose 2-1

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I think lines 2-4 are doing more than enough to win this series...that's just not enough in the playoffs against the 3 seed.

The book is certainly out on our top line: The complete lack of anything from Monahan at the center position aside from slamming home the odd 2 foot putt is putting a terrible strain on Lindholm and Gaudreau to find ways to pick up the slack. The top teams have a top pivot who can create, will play effectively down low and on occasion carry the puck for a zone entry or two.

Monahan is at best a highly flawed second line center who needs a lot of support to succeed. Until this is addressed by Treliving, this team is not going anywhere. Pile on Johnny if you want, but it's painfully obvious that the pint sized forward needs a little physical help from the guy riding his coat tails his entire career.

Monahan's only skill is that he can win faceoffs. He should be out there just to win the faceoff and then skate right to the bench. Maybe give him some fourth line minutes. He's made a living cherry picking in front of the net and even last game Johnny Hockey blew couple of opportunities trying to get the puck to this guy in front. I rather see Gaudreau shoot in those situations.

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[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by Makarov

That is a damning record. This franchise has been one of the worst, if not the very worst, in the entire league for the past 30 years.

Edmonton says hello!!

[I_H8_Crawford]

I honestly wonder if GG is the worst coach in Flames history.

Think of when he took over - Monahan & Gaudreau were looking like our Toewes & Kane. Bennett was looking like a superstar in the making.

GG gets his hands on them and now we have 2 1-way soft players, and a 3rd line C. Not to mention how he also tried to destroy Brodie.

I know it's hindsight, but Treliving almost deserves a firing for that hire as this is what it has left us. He better NAIL this next HC hire, but I am betting he goes the coward way and just keeps Ward.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

Edmonton says hello!!

Edmonton being trash doesn't mean we're not also trash.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

Monahan's only skill is that he can win faceoffs. He should be out there just to win the faceoff and then skate right to the bench. Maybe give him some fourth line minutes. He's made a living cherry picking in front of the net and even last game Johnny Hockey blew couple of opportunities trying to get the puck to this guy in front. I rather see Gaudreau shoot in those situations.

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Wouldn't it be nice, as fans, to be confident that Monahan is going to come out full force, with a chip on his shoulder and will the Flames to victory tomorrow night instead of expecting our pint sized top scorer to do all the work? Maybe take some heat off Gaudreau and Lindholm by battling his arse off every shift?

This playoffs has cemented him among the most overrated Flames of all time in my books.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

I honestly wonder if GG is the worst coach in Flames history.

Think of when he took over - Monahan & Gaudreau were looking like our Toewes & Kane. Bennett was looking like a superstar in the making.

GG gets his hands on them and now we have 2 1-way soft players, and a 3rd line C. Not to mention how he also tried to destroy Brodie.

I know it's hindsight, but Treliving almost deserves a firing for that hire as this is what it has left us. He better NAIL this next HC hire, but I am betting he goes the coward way and just keeps Ward.

GG was awful, but I don't think you can hang the lack of progression on him alone. Those players also stalled under Bob the year after they got to round 2.
But no question that what has ground progress of this team to a halt. The strategy hinged on the core continuing to improve and progress. Instead Johnny has regressed, Monahan arguably has as well. Sam stalled out. Even a guy like Jankowski, who looked like he could be an important piece at one point, may not even be in the NHL soon.

Way too many players stalled or regressed and not enough progressed.

Coaching is a factor as well, but it could also be that we all had a false perception of what the ceiling of these guys was and is.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

I honestly wonder if GG is the worst coach in Flames history.

He gets my vote. The other GG is right behind him.

[ben voyonsdonc]

It has been a rough few games.

I do think though that we are more than capable of winning two straight games.

The first line hasn't been good. Tkachuk is out. Gio has been far from Norris calibre. Forbort and Gustafsson have been brutal. In spite of all of this, we are only down 3-2 in the series.

I think we can do it.

[Flame On]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

What? Johnny's the only one that can't take or make a hit . Monahan and Lindholm have been fine defensively. Hard to play and offensive game when your top lw keeps tossing the puck away to every sound of ice being chipped by skates. Johnny gaudreau is that lines weakest link by a mile Monahan has been board battling, skated back and made strong defensive plays same as lindholm. AMonahans usually battling in the slot and Lindholm doea all the heavy lifting along boards. Johnny Gaudreau takes perimeter low along the board shots, ####ty wristers to the chest or passes the puck like a gernade as soon as a player takes a stride or two mear him.

He was great for a couple of seasons when guys gave him space but thats not him anymore. The teams just jave to advance on him knowing he will gernade the puck and its working year in year out now.

I'm not saying he's been great by any means and you're also quite right about the physical ability. But that's always been the case. I should have said "one of his problems". Cause whenever he streaks into the offensive zone, where are any of his linemates.. nowhere. If he gets Monahan the puck what happens, absolutely zero. No creativity, no cycling, no holding it in the zone and certainly no goals. The book is out on Sean's one trick pony slot move.
And is our bar so low for our "number 1 center" that he just has to battle along the boards to be contributing?
Mark my words when the Flames part ways with Johnny/Sean, Gudreau will be productive elsewhere and Sean will hand in more of the same.

[mdubz]

What time is the final flames game of the season tomorrow?

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Sean Monahan is not a 1st line centre on any team that wants to win a cup or go deep in the playoffs. Down 1 for almost the entire 3rd period he has 0 shots on goal, his skating is average he can't create his own space to even get a shot on net.

Hopefully this series puts a rest to the homers that can't stop proclaiming him a legit #1C every time he occasionally puts up a multi-point game. Fact is, he is not. I think that's more then obvious. So lame seeing a poster say he is, the post get 50+ thanks, only to see him do nothing when it matters most. No line driving, no extra gear. I do give him credit though, at least trying to change his game to suit the playoff style of hockey that needs to succeed. He's been the best player on his line these playoffs. But it's not good enough from your #1C. That line has sucked and he's been guilty of being a part of that.

Most concerning is his lack of shooting for most of the playoffs. I get that he's the trigger-man from Gaudreau's passing. But when Gaudreau ain't passing it, you still need to find a way to contribute on the scoresheet.

Sucks to say, but our big 2 aren't geared for the playoffs and likely never will be as long as they are the go-to guys in Calgary. I like to think that one day Monahan finds that extra gear like Backlund eventually found. But the clock is ticking. I don't imagine BT goes into next season banking on Monahan and Gaudreau suddenly 'finding it'.

[CroFlames]

I forget what a game 7 feels like.

Make me remember Flames.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Hopefully this series puts a rest to the homers that can't stop proclaiming him a legit #1C every time he occasionally puts up a multi-point game. Fact is, he is not. I think that's more then obvious. So lame seeing a poster say he is, the post get 50+ thanks, only to see him do nothing when it matters most. No line driving, no extra gear. I do give him credit though, at least trying to change his game to suit the playoff style of hockey that needs to succeed. He's been the best player on his line these playoffs. But it's not good enough from your #1C. That line has sucked and he's been guilty of being a part of that.

I'd liken him to David Backes at this point. And the Blues didn't have much postseason success with Backes as their number one center. Even when they went on a deep run, it was probably the Stastny line that really drove the bus for them.

The Blues moved on from Backes, and found not one, but two top six centres. I don't know if we can do that, but I'm happy with the play of Backlund and Bennett down the middle, so we just need to find one.

[IrishSpring2013]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

It has been a rough few games.

I do think though that we are more than capable of winning two straight games.

The first line hasn't been good. Tkachuk is out. Gio has been far from Norris calibre. Forbort and Gustafsson have been brutal. In spite of all of this, we are only down 3-2 in the series.

I think we can do it.

With all due respect it's been a rough few decades. Even with this group it's been a rough few years. Wilting and allowing the Stars to take the series lead is the most predictable Flames thing ever. The current group is just carrying on the proud tradition.

My love of Monahan has vanished, the guy hasn't progressed at all. Someone flaunted Sean's instagram pic of his massive muscles but where does that show on the ice? He should be a physical force. Monahan should be a physical board dominating winger at this stage. Yeah that's a bit of hindsight but he's game at center is weak.

Gaudreau is just... bleh. Honestly I'm not as down on him as others and don't doubt he can still be a 90 point winger but he can't be THE guy. Now the major symptom of this is not having a number one guy you can build around but these two players could win us a lot more games by showing up and being engaged 50% more than they are now. The current version of the Flames isn't a cup winning team but it should be able to win a round or two, make a push and excite.

Gio's age has caught up to him as well. Young and fresh goes away fast when you're approaching 37.

Treliving isn't above any of this by the way, his head is available for the axe. His inability to find a true number one goalie or a legit head coach speaks volumes.

We might very well win games six and seven but it's a long shot and things would need to do a complete 180.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

It was absolutely dreadful to watch the Flames from '06 to '12 trying for the quick fix over and over again. I do not want to see a repeat of that

Will ownership allow this?

[Shummy]

Im not sure how you can defend JG or Sean at this point anymore. Just take a look at their #'s in the playoffs. Numbers dont lie. I cant think of a single NHL team that every single time the playoffs roll around their 2 best players consistently disappear. Both of those guys should be embarrassed, we will never win anything with those 2. Not only are they not scoring but neither of them are doing the little things either. Not blocking shots, not backchecking, horrible defensively. Sometimes Sean wins a faceoff or two I guess. Brutal

[Toonage]

Ownership could be looking at 2 straight years of no playoff revenue. Now is the perfect time to retool.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Ownership could be looking at 2 straight years of no playoff revenue. Now is the perfect time to retool.

Also, a supposed deep draft here, plus our core players aren't carrying the mail here, but they are still good young players who could be slotted better on other rosters and still return some nice futures.

Would be a good off season to do a major core retool for futures, but I doubt it happens.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Flame On

I'm not saying he's been great by any means and you're also quite right about the physical ability. But that's always been the case. I should have said "one of his problems". Cause whenever he streaks into the offensive zone, where are any of his linemates.. nowhere. If he gets Monahan the puck what happens, absolutely zero. No creativity, no cycling, no holding it in the zone and certainly no goals. The book is out on Sean's one trick pony slot move.
And is our bar so low for our "number 1 center" that he just has to battle along the boards to be contributing?
Mark my words when the Flames part ways with Johnny/Sean, Gudreau will be productive elsewhere and Sean will hand in more of the same.

You absolutely cannot expect to compete in this conference, let alone the league with that kind of lackluster play from your top player at the most important position on the roster. The Flames are regularly going up against McDavid, Petterson, Kopitar in division and have to get through Mackinnon, Schiefle and O'Reilley on the other side. Monahan isn't even in the same area code as these players, and may not even beat out some of these teams 2nd line centers either.

It's a heck of a hole to put the rest of the offense in let alone all the heavy lifting these guys can do at the other end of the ice by creating turnovers and manufacturing their own offense. If Treliving can't see this and do something to correct it, he deserves to be punted as well. At least you can argue Johnny could get back to dominating with more support down the middle. Monahan peaked 2 seasons ago and will likely get even worse as his footspeed gets even more dismal.

[agulati]

Have they announced the start time for tomorrow's game? I'm not seeing it anywhere.