Up to the coaching staff and GM to find pieces that work to fill those three spots. Whether it’s among Ryan, Leivo, Simon, Gawdin, Phillips, Robinson, etc or by making a trade.
If they can make that work then this team would be able to roll 4 pretty dangerous forward lines at times.
Personally Leivo had worked with Tkachuk and Lindholm in small samples, and I think Ryan would work with Mangiapane and Backlund (id put Gawdin there in the meantime until he’s healthy) but they need to probably trade for somebody to put next to 13-23 though.
I like Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane together if we keep the Lucic-Bennett-Dube line in tact.
We all know Backlund doesn’t fit on wing so makes one wonder what to do with the lines when everyone is healthy..
All I hoped for was "better". Play better. Better effort. Better execution. Better results.
I would say that game was definitely better. Still needs some work obviously, but it was much better over all.
Good job on Ward for putting the best 5on5 line in the playoffs back together for this one. I don't think Dube has been this good since the playoffs - best game of the season for him I think. Bennett was good. Lucic was really good - hats off to him as he has stopped making as many mistakes and is playing his smart and underrated game again.
Impressive and gutsy - that's what I have to say about Ward's selection to start the OT period. All players on the ice a forward? I liked it. It would have been criticized to no end if it didn't work out, but I really liked that move. I don't like Ward the coach for the most part, but you have to pay the man his respect tonight I thought. Break-outs can definitely still use some tweaks though.
Know when this team always seems to win? When Gaudreau, Lindholm and Mangiapane are playing aggressive. They were all over the ice tonight trying to make things happen. Lindholm was playing angry - Mangiapane was the most consistently good forward on either team tonight.
Nobody likes Simon on the top line. I agree it is far from ideal, but I prefer him on that top line over Leivo (and definitely Nordstrom). His job is to dig pucks out. He needs to remember that his line isn't very good at digging pucks out from the corners, so stop ringing it around. However, he is solid along the boards, had a decent pass (not a playmaker - just a decent pass that he doesn't flub), and is good defensively. Again, not ideal, but he works with Monahan and Gaudreau for the most part, though I do think if he is always up on with them, the other team will basically stop paying much attention to him and double-team Gaudreau.
Valimaki on the PP - started off hesitant, but I think he warmed up. I am glad that Ward (is this my 3rd compliment tonight about Ward??) pushed him down the lineup and off the PP. I notice Anderson taking unnecessary risks at times - waits too long before passing the puck and turning it over, and out of all the D he does something that I have always hated to see - puck is dumped into the defensive zone, and Anderson has a solid chance to get to the puck first and clear it, but will probably take a hit after. Instead, he tries to match the forechecker allowing him to get to the puck first, and then hitting him. I noticed that happening the most with Rasmus. Just play the puck first, and take the hit for the team. He was better today (and a great fricken assist tonight taking advantage of that poor by Van). Anyway - Valimaki - I think he should practice the PP a lot. He has a good shot, and he is a way better skater than Andersson or Giordano, plus he is a great passer too. I think it won't be long before he is a fixture on the top PP unit (not this year, but he will be eventually).
Poor Mackey. 3 penalties against, but at least he got a point tonight. I like most of his game, but I think it is time for him to sit again and give Kylington a shot now. He has a decent overall game - I think those were nerves. Thought he played better in his first game than tonight, but he also had some seriously good plays too.
Giordano is looking more and more like his old self. That's huge for the team.
Not a perfect game, but they were better, and hopefully they will continue to be better with a few more wins resulting in a bit more confidence. Confidence is everything right now.
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On Johnny’s shots
This season he’s averaging 2 shots a game but has a whopping 28.6 shooting percent. Last season he actually shot more at almost 3 per game but with a sub 9% shooting percentage.
But boy it seems like he’s shooting more so perhaps it’s that he’s taking more advantage of grade a chances whereas last season he wasn’t?
Or it's something other than the narrative of not shooting enough. Enough people say the same thing over and over ... even if it's false. Rigged!
The Flames have won four of their last five games, and six of their last nine with seven of those games on the road (4-3-0). They and the Ottawa Senators are the only teams in the Canadian Division with a minus-3 differential in home and road games. Winnipeg is +5, Toronto is +2, Edmonton is +1, Vancouver and Montreal are -1.
All told, that looks like a pretty solid start for a team that has barely played any home games.
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Dealing with Everything from Dead Sea Scrolls to Red C Trolls
Quote:
Originally Posted by woob
"...harem warfare? like all your wives dressup and go paintballing?"
The Flames have won four of their last five games, and six of their last nine with seven of those games on the road (4-3-0). They and the Ottawa Senators are the only teams in the Canadian Division with a minus-3 differential in home and road games. Winnipeg is +5, Toronto is +2, Edmonton is +1, Vancouver and Montreal are -1.
All told, that looks like a pretty solid start for a team that has barely played any home games.
Only team that hasn't played the last place team yet when all others have multiple games
I like Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane together if we keep the Lucic-Bennett-Dube line in tact.
We all know Backlund doesn’t fit on wing so makes one wonder what to do with the lines when everyone is healthy..
You are giving Backlund no support then and I think this gives better balance. Putting Mangiapane with Backlund, and Tkachuk with Lindholm means you have two lines to take the tougher matchups.
Tougher Match Ups:
Tkachuk-Lindholm - Leivo
Mangiapane - Backlund - Ryan
Putting Dube and Mangiapane into the top 6 made the team too top heavy and our bottom 6 was getting eaten alive at times this year.
The Tkachuk-Lindholm line needs to be able to carry a player, and they would be able to since they have such strong 200ft games (when Tkachuk gets his swagger back). Leivo has been fine there in small samples (79% xGF in 20 minutes together)
And the Gaudreau-Monahan line has been staying afloat with a rotating cast of wingers there all season and filling that RW spot needs to be the focus before the trade deadline.
Up to the coaching staff and GM to find pieces that work to fill those three spots. Whether it’s among Ryan, Leivo, Simon, Gawdin, Phillips, Robinson, etc or by making a trade.
If they can make that work then this team would be able to roll 4 pretty dangerous forward lines at times.
Personally Leivo had worked with Tkachuk and Lindholm in small samples, and I think Ryan would work with Mangiapane and Backlund (id put Gawdin there in the meantime until he’s healthy) but they need to probably trade for somebody to put next to 13-23 though.
How would ice time break down? I love the look but need to distribute TOI so they each get into flow.
I love Lucic - Bennett - Dube : Nasty honey badger line. Would be great if they can figure out the rest of your lineup.
Team has so many great players. So much potential!!!
Right now at 5v5 Lindholm is averaging 13 minutes, Monahan 13, Backlund 12, and Ryan 8. So really it’s one shift less each for the Lindholm, and Monahan lines that both go to the new Bennett line to have more even TOI distribution.
Right now at 5v5 Lindholm is averaging 13 minutes, Monahan 13, Backlund 12, and Ryan 8. So really it’s one shift less each for the Lindholm, and Monahan lines that both go to the new Bennett line to have more even TOI distribution.
In theory, sure. And coaches like to see who is going on any given night and give preferential ice time
Imagine how confident and cerebral a coach must be to actually roll 4 lines equally ES
Friggin Oiler fans... how the heck is a one-time shot from the left circle on the powerplay considered "cherry picking?" Like I know those bozos are a little special up there, but come on... that's a whole other level of stupidity.
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