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.
You're expecting logic from the illogical. They cheer for the oilers.. that should tell you everything you need to know
__________________ TC
The Following User Says Thank You to -TC- For This Useful Post:
People keep complaining that the Flames lack any sort of identity.
But they do have a few relatively consistent strengths:
-The Flames are clearly one of the better defensive teams in the division. Right now, they're second in GAA after Montreal, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Flames overtake the Habs in this regard. Within the division, the Flames' identity may be that they actually care about keeping the puck out of the next. This quality is hugely valuable in the playoffs, because it's something teams have more control over.
-The Flames are, and have been, a strong third period team. They lead the league in third period goal differential (+23). Montreal is 3rd with +15. These stats are from before tonight's game. This has been a trend for years now.
-Drawing penalties. Since entering the league, Johnny Gaudreau is 1st in the NHL in terms of penalties drawn to penalties taken differential. But a huge margin (mentioned in tonight's game). Tkachuk leads in penalties drawn. Some teams like Winnipeg and Vancouver tend to be sloppy. Calgary can take advantage of this.
Hopefully, at some point, the Flames realize what their clear strengths are, and learn to capitalize on it. This might actually lead to some more consistency on a game by game basis.
The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to 1qqaaz For This Useful Post:
Lucic actually has been pretty good this season. I still see people criticizing him but he actually has been pretty effective and usually puts in a decent effort for the most part. I like him and what he brings to the team.
Seriously, chipping in his timely goals every second or third game is extremely valuable, on top of shielding the puck along the boards on his line's shifts very effectively.
He's easily earning half his salary currently, which is significantly better than what Neal is doing.
Yeah I was surprised to hear that they're the top third period team in the league.
Also one of the most stingiest in terms of goals allowed.
Those are things you can build an identity off of.
I get Nashville vibes from their stretch of competitive years the over the last decade. You'd have to work very hard to put up a few on Rinne on any given night. Great defensive group top to bottom with some nice stay at home and puck moving guys. Decent offense, won't score a ton, but opportunistic and can lock down a one goal game effectively.
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.
Was just going to say...
Both a Canuck and Oiler fan calling a one timer on the PP from a great setup ....cherry picking?
Glad the team won but this game had it's shares of frustration. Started out being angry at the 1st period and at the very end. But overall the team played much better. Markstrom will continue to be my Lord and saviour.
The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Huntingwhale For This Useful Post:
Did I miss the gif of Valimaki going up over the boards to avoid a penalty?! How were there not replays of that. Biggest effort I’ve seen for anyone this season!
Did I miss the gif of Valimaki going up over the boards to avoid a penalty?! How were there not replays of that. Biggest effort I’ve seen for anyone this season!
Post 212 has it. It just isn't a windowed player so it's easy to miss.
The Following User Says Thank You to Jetfire For This Useful Post:
Also, if Lucic keeps up this pace, hot damn. Like a 38(ish) point pace if this was a regular length season, that's not bad at all for the big man. He's been a real solid third liner for us and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Keep that line together
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to btimbit For This Useful Post:
A win is a win, but the same problems exist. Need 60 minutes of effort. Need better decisions and adjustments in game. The short handed goal against with the goaltender pulled was a microcosm of everything that is rotten on this team. No one prepared for what was about to happen or knew their assignments, played a half-assed passive defensive scheme, let the Canucks dictate the play, and achieved a predictable result. Wasn't mad, just laughed at them because it was so damn predictable.
Thought the standouts were Andersson, Dube, and Mangipane. Mackey impressed for the second game in a row. Monahan gets way too much flak for what he does. People demanded he play better defensively and more physical, so there had to be a impact to his game elsewhere, and that means less goals because he isn't up ice as much and is not finding the soft areas of the ice because he's recovering from a hit or a bump. I think his game is much improved and he deserves credit. Shout out to Ward putting the playoff line together and for them stepping up. He should leave that alone for a while and see if it continues. The biggest negative of the night IMO, Matthew Tkachuk. Time to throw his mug on a milk carton or send out an amber alert. Outside of stirring up #### after the whistle he's MIA. Going forward I might be inclined to roll these lines.
and if that 4th line continues to suck get crazy and give the kinds from the minors a chance and go with Phillips-Gawdin-Robinson, just to see if they spark something.
I like the wins as much as anyone else but if Rittich starts the 5 games instead of Markstrom they probably lose 4 of 5. They aren't playing sustainable winning hockey. To me Ward has this team playing not to lose and you can get away with that for a while as long as your goaltender is bailing out the team but it's not a recipe for long term success. There is no excuse for letting the Canucks tie up the game while killing a penalty but that's the kind of stuff that happens when you play not to lose. This team can't afford to start Rittich the way they are playing right now.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Erick Estrada For This Useful Post:
I like the wins as much as anyone else but if Rittich starts the 5 games instead of Markstrom they probably lose 4 of 5. They aren't playing sustainable winning hockey. To me Ward has this team playing not to lose and you can get away with that for a while as long as your goaltender is bailing out the team but it's not a recipe for long term success. There is no excuse for letting the Canucks tie up the game while killing a penalty but that's the kind of stuff that happens when you play not to lose. This team can't afford to start Rittich the way they are playing right now.
Once they get in the o-zone things are well, but the breakouts that have been just terrible
I like the wins as much as anyone else but if Rittich starts the 5 games instead of Markstrom they probably lose 4 of 5. They aren't playing sustainable winning hockey. To me Ward has this team playing not to lose and you can get away with that for a while as long as your goaltender is bailing out the team but it's not a recipe for long term success. There is no excuse for letting the Canucks tie up the game while killing a penalty but that's the kind of stuff that happens when you play not to lose. This team can't afford to start Rittich the way they are playing right now.
Agreed. If Markstrom gets injured this team is in for a world of hurt because they are not playing very good hockey at the moment. Not sure if it's the team, the coaching, or both. Hopefully Markstrom bucks his career trend and manages to stay healthy, because he is clearly the teams MVP. There is nothing wrong with having a great goalie, but elite teams don't have to rely on their goalie as much as the Flames do.
It masks a lot of weaknesses, and allows coaching and management to sit on their hands and not make needed adjustments until it eventually all comes crumbling down.
Happy for the win though, just because I don't think this team has what it takes to win anything of importance, doesn't mean I don't want them to prove me wrong and succeed.
