[GDT] Flames at Leafs - Does anyone care?

[CalgaryFan1988]

Well, I still care.

I don't hate the lines, but I would put Lindholm back on the top line to get them going. Getting tired of the blender.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Mangiapane
Lucic - Bennett - Dube
Nordstrom - Gawdin - Leivo

I would also fire Simon and Nordstrom to the sun, once Ryan is back.

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Well, I still care.

I don't hate the lines, but I would put Lindholm back on the top line to get them going. Getting tired of the blender.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Mangiapane
Lucic - Bennett - Dube
Nordstrom - Gawdin - Leivo

I would also fire Simon and Nordstrom to the sun, once Ryan is back.

This is such a no brainer to try given their tailspin. Embarrassing.

[Aarongavey]

A bit of a trap game (series) for the Leafs, they played a potential first round opponent on Saturday and then they have a 3 game series against the Oilers (another potential first round opponent) after us. Hopefully that lulls them into taking their foot off the pedal.

[1qqaaz]

I wonder what, if any, adjustments will be made to the powerplay.
Isn't it only 2 for the last 22 or something?

[CalgaryFan1988]

^^ No idea what the numbers are, but their PK has been brutal as well.

[Rubicant]

I’m just here so I don’t get fined.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Infinit47

This is such a no brainer to try given their tailspin. Embarrassing.

Well there’s a rational reason, so not a “no brainer”, just a debatable move.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Well there’s a rational reason, so not a “no brainer”, just a debatable move.

What is the rational reason for never trying it?

[skcli]

I don’t care if they lose 10-1 but they need to start skating hard into the offensive zone. No more standing around at the blue line and wait for the pass. Keep skating and keep us entertained.

[AustinL_NHL]

Wow. The lines actually look good.

Expecting that to be a troll from Ward and seeing the worst line blender yet for the start of the game.

[SeanCharles]

I’m happy Kylington is getting in.

While I like him, Nesterov is a bit overrated on this site. I think it’s because he had such a good start..

He makes a tonne of ill advised pinches and now that teams are back in full swing and the rust is gone he is being more exposed IMO.

[bubbsy]

I've come to terms that the team is what it is, a the 4th/5th best team in the Canada division. If they win, great it's the standard flames best case scenario (barely get into the playoffs, get ass-kicked in first round) or miss and get that exciting 15-20th place pick in the draft.

At least there isn't any real expectations, yet again. Can't be disappointed when you didn't expect much in the first place.

Go flames Go, you don't deserve the time and $ I spend on you, but I'm here every year, just as you are....

[nik-]

I predict a patented Flames "random win out of nowhere in the midst of a tire fire stretch" for tonight.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

What is the rational reason for never trying it?

What do you mean never trying it? They had that line for two years. And this season is only 1/4 old.

The thinking is that they need Lindholm at centre because they don’t have one elite centre. Lindholm on the top line is like when McDavid and Draisaitl play together - you needn’t worry about scoring from any other line and it’s way easier to match against, especially when the Flames are on the road. No one is scared of Backlund’s line - they can get the odd goal but you aren’t game planning for them, especially when Backlund is going to be busy matching against Matthews. Lindholm centring a line means you can match against both Matthews and Tavares with a centre who is good at D.

I don’t argue it’s not a possible option. I argue against the “no brainer” or “irrational” descriptions because there’s a perfectly rational reason to do it.

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

What do you mean never trying it? They had that line for two years. And this season is only 1/4 old.

The thinking is that they need Lindholm at centre because they don’t have one elite centre. Lindholm on the top line is like when McDavid and Draisaitl play together - you needn’t worry about scoring from any other line and it’s way easier to match against, especially when the Flames are on the road. No one is scared of Backlund’s line - they can get the odd goal but you aren’t game planning for them, especially when Backlund is going to be busy matching against Matthews. Lindholm centring a line means you can match against both Matthews and Tavares with a centre who is good at D.

I don’t argue it’s not a possible option. I argue against the “no brainer” or “irrational” descriptions because there’s a perfectly rational reason to do it.

We have had issues scoring all year. It is irrational to go back to 3 lines that have had success in the past. This "he has to play centre" is bogus. He has to play where we have the best chance to win. Right now that is on the top line. Period.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

What do you mean never trying it? They had that line for two years. And this season is only 1/4 old.

The thinking is that they need Lindholm at centre because they don’t have one elite centre. Lindholm on the top line is like when McDavid and Draisaitl play together - you needn’t worry about scoring from any other line and it’s way easier to match against, especially when the Flames are on the road. No one is scared of Backlund’s line - they can get the odd goal but you aren’t game planning for them, especially when Backlund is going to be busy matching against Matthews. Lindholm centring a line means you can match against both Matthews and Tavares with a centre who is good at D.

I don’t argue it’s not a possible option. I argue against the “no brainer” or “irrational” descriptions because there’s a perfectly rational reason to do it.

I get the reasoning behind splitting them up, but right now neither line is producing. Seems like every line is in the blender, but Monahan/Gaudreau and Tkachuk/Lindholm are the mainstays.

[bubbsy]

I personally think Lindholm at C looked good for the 1st period of the 1st game of the year. Other than that, I haven't found it effective at all.

I just don't see any real chemistry between Tkachuk and Lindholm. The lack of a better winger on the monahan/gaudreau line hasn't let it POP, as it should be. Gaudreau has been amazing this year, imagine they had another finisher there.

The fact that simon/leivo have been completely useless hasn't helped this experiment. Clearly the flames decided not to upgrade their biggest gap over the past few post seasons as far as their forward scoring, and instead tried to tweak around the edges, and go to the clichee of "better slotting" by moving Lindholm down.

But they do NOT have 4 solid lines, heck they don't have 2. They do not have a top line either. Hence, I also agree it's time to go back to having Lindholm back on the top line, once Monahan is back at least.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Infinit47

We have had issues scoring all year. It is irrational to go back to 3 lines that have had success in the past. This "he has to play centre" is bogus. He has to play where we have the best chance to win. Right now that is on the top line. Period.

Well if you say so that makes it true.

He’s arguably already on the top line BTW.

ETA: they’ve played 18 games and scored 3 or more in 9. This is a high scoring division, so they could use more but league wide, they are pretty average. I’d say their bigger issue is in their own end. They are pretty good in shots for but bad in shots against.

[shadowlord]

I'm only here to support my fellow CP peeps. Let's share in our suffering together.

[Buff]

Bold prediction. We win both games against the Leafs. Then we go 1-3 against Ottawa.