[PGT] Anemic offense, Flames lose 2-1

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

The Flames are going up the boards with the puck because the Stars have absolutely dominated the neutral zone and the Flames are trying as hard as possible to limit Dallas' defenders ability to shoot from the middle of the ice surface because that's where Dallas keeps scoring from.

Agree with this. The Flames would love to go up the middle of the ice and stay away from the perimeter obviously.

But watch what happens when a Gaudreau starts stickhandling away from the boards. He's swarmed. Seems like compared to our competitors in the playoffs, there's a lack of puck handling, speed and tape to tape passes. I just don't know if you can pin it on one guy, since it seems so easy for them to key on Gaudreau.

Ward is doing what most coaches would do when facing a superior opponent. It's the hockey version of the rope a dope. Limit the damage, and look to land a punch once in a while.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

What's taking so long for the next day schedule to be announced, they gotta see who's eliminated today?

Especially since it’s the only western game and Canadian game tomorrow. They have the day and broadcast completely open.

[Manhattanboy]

Any idea as to game time tomorrow? Need to plan post win drinks.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Any idea as to game time tomorrow? Need to plan post win drinks.

Even if they win tomorrow (noon-Calgary I think btw) I wont be celebrating.

This one is going the distance. Tension is high.

[Elkyiv]

is it possible the Flames are holding this up and requesting a full 7 days for Tkachuk to be able to meet concussion protocol and be able to return?

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Any idea why tomorrow's game time hasn't been decided on yet? Thought they were just waiting for the Blackhawks game last night to be completed.

[chockfullofgoodness]

Nm

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Elkyiv

is it possible the Flames are holding this up and requesting a full 7 days for Tkachuk to be able to meet concussion protocol and be able to return?

Or he was already injured (playing through it) before the hit occurred and it aggravated the injury.

(this is my guess)

Basically wondering if its not an concussion.

[dino7c]

League is waiting for the Carolina/Boston game to finish before releasing the schedule

[GullFoss]

Things Johnny won't do in the playoffs:

- Block shots or cover the point or win board battles. Literally just floats around the defensive zone.
- Backcheck with consistency. Remember when he use to backcheck with speed and force the defense to giveaway the puck to him.
- Forecheck with consistency. Literally just floats around while Monahan and Lindholm retrieve pucks and win board battles.

None of these issues have anything to do with "talent", "skill deterioration" or "post-apex". They are 100% mental. Simply put, Johnny isn't willing to work hard enough or sacrifice enough to win. With Johnny, it's pretty clear that if he can't win "Johnny Style" he's not going to try very hard to find a way. Instead, he's happy to take a little bump, pretend his arm is broken on the bench and sulk.

It's one thing if Johnny isn't getting on the score sheet 5-on-5. It's another issue if he's a completely liability 5-on-5, which is exactly what he is. Lindholm played substantially better after getting moved off that line. The defensive pairing playing with the first line is hemmed in the entire shift when Johnny is on the ice. At this point, the flames would have a better chance of winning if Ward decided to sit Johnny 5-on-5 and only play him on the PP.

I'm not sure about you guys, but watching Johnny in 2020 has been the exact same as watching James Neal in 2019 for me. Absolutely embarrassing to watch the guy represent the flames this year. He's out there, just bumming around the ice, with no drive or determination 5-on-5.

[Flash Walken]

Did we ever get an explanation for why Gaudreau was kept away from the main group when hockey resumed?

[jayswin]

So there's only one west game tomorrow and we still don't have a start time? I don't understand this.

[agulati]

They were playing some interviews with flames players and discussing not knowing the game time. One of the players (I believe it was Monahan) mentioned that they think it would be the later game.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Things Johnny won't do in the playoffs:

- Block shots or cover the point or win board battles. Literally just floats around the defensive zone.
- Backcheck with consistency. Remember when he use to backcheck with speed and force the defense to giveaway the puck to him.
- Forecheck with consistency. Literally just floats around while Monahan and Lindholm retrieve pucks and win board battles.

None of these issues have anything to do with "talent", "skill deterioration" or "post-apex". They are 100% mental. Simply put, Johnny isn't willing to work hard enough or sacrifice enough to win. With Johnny, it's pretty clear that if he can't win "Johnny Style" he's not going to try very hard to find a way. Instead, he's happy to take a little bump, pretend his arm is broken on the bench and sulk.

It's one thing if Johnny isn't getting on the score sheet 5-on-5. It's another issue if he's a completely liability 5-on-5, which is exactly what he is. Lindholm played substantially better after getting moved off that line. The defensive pairing playing with the first line is hemmed in the entire shift when Johnny is on the ice. At this point, the flames would have a better chance of winning if Ward decided to sit Johnny 5-on-5 and only play him on the PP.

I'm not sure about you guys, but watching Johnny in 2020 has been the exact same as watching James Neal in 2019 for me. Absolutely embarrassing to watch the guy represent the flames this year. He's out there, just bumming around the ice, with no drive or determination 5-on-5.

I really hope for you're sake this is a joke

[AC]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Did we ever get an explanation for why Gaudreau was kept away from the main group when hockey resumed?

I think it's almost a guarantee that Robinson and Dube tested positively or at least showed symptoms initially, which is why they were not allowed to practice.

Meanwhile the group of players that were still practicing but were isolated most likely were in contact with Robinson and/or Dube, but weren't testing positively or showing symptoms.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by CGY12

I really hope for you're sake this is a joke

? Retrieve pucks along the boards is basically the only thing Monahan did right last game. IMO.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by AC

I'm a big Monahan fan, but also a big Gaudreau fan. Maybe I'm biased lately because of my frustrations with Gaudreau's play in the playoffs. However my analysis was based on what I've seen, yes. I haven't seen Gaudreau outwork the Stars to put his teammates into good situations in the same way that Monahan has, even if that has been painfully subpar as well. Gaudreau's "good rushes" that have been talked about during the games usually consist of him skating through the neutral zone nicely, but ultimately turning it over.

I flat out said Monahan has been a disappointment, I'm just more willing to forgive a player that seems to be doing a lot of the small things right at both ends of the ice compared to someone who hasn't really been able to do much right at either end of the ice 5v5. Gaudreau had the one nice pass to set Monahan up in Game 4, and Monahan returned the favour with that 2 on 1 play as well as the one-timer from the slot in OT. Are there some prime examples of Gaudreau creating offense you can recall from these games? I'll pull them.

Either way, my point was that I don't think the 2 players work as a pairing in the playoffs based on the games we've seen. Gaudreau isn't the same player in tight checking playoff hockey, so he can't get the puck to Monahan consistently the same way, and Monahan isn't the right type of centre for Gaudreau in the playoffs either obviously.

I mean it wouldnt be hard to go back into your posts and see you continuously blasting Johnny and pumping up Monahan but really what would the point be? You are trying to sell that Monahan would be doing better offensively if he was away from Johnny where I believe if Johnny had a threat playing with him as his center it would be different. Key on Johnny because his center and other winger are completely lost offensively right now.

Gaudreau has also backchecked and broken up plays in these playoffs. He has also had many shifts where he isnt handling the puck like a live hand grenade and has looked dangerous offensively.

You take a look at what Backlund and Bennett are doing as centers for this team and then look at Sean Monahan. He cannot touch any facet their games with a ten foot pole. To pile on Gaudreau and then try to say Monahan is doing things well despite being saddled with Johnny is disingenuous. Even the examples you dug up to sell that Monahan is playing well are fairly questionable to me but whatever.

They are both totally underwhelming together.

Sean Monahan is the real problem on our first line IMO.

Johnny Gaudreau is the real problem on our first line in your opinion.

We will agree to disagree.

Lets both hope that our first line shows up tomorrow and we can talk about how great they were together.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

to who?

I would have gone Tkachuk. Or Monahan (lol I will get sewered for this one!)

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Wtf? I can't post my own articles? Why not? That's dumb.

Is AC self-promoting when he posts his videos?

I am not so sure it was really a beak. Only select few get the honor of a haiku.

[I_H8_Crawford]

I really wonder what happened during the break in 2019... something must have happened off-ice as Monahan/Gaudreau/Lindholm were unstoppable, and they turned into... this over that one week break. I believe that is when the Purple Gatorade stopped too.

Did Monahan bang Gaudreau's gf or something?

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

I really wonder what happened during the break in 2019... something must have happened off-ice as Monahan/Gaudreau/Lindholm were unstoppable, and they turned into... this over that one week break. I believe that is when the Purple Gatorade stopped too.

Did Monahan bang Gaudreau's gf or something?

Tinfoil hat theory, but I don't remember anyone mentioning Johnny had a gf (or heard of him acting like he had one...) before around that time. Now he mentions her frequently as "someone who cares about me back home" (this was from that video of him on his bday.)

To me, his heart just isn't anywhere near Calgary anymore even though his body is.