[GDT] Flames vs Ottawa, 7:00 PM

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't believe this is what he is doing. He is going back to a top-three configuration that has been used pretty consistently on home ice, and has looked quite good there in every game save for the last one v. the Canucks. In theory, this should work.

Are you thinking that, on the road, Monahan and Gaudreau without Lindholm get exploited in their own zone, but that problem is less at home?

I get it but why not Dube with Monahan and Leivo with Lindholm?

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Flames had 2 days between games, meaning they got an actual practice in. And whenever that happens, they bring their safe, stand-around brand of hockey.

That being the case, I predict they are down 2-0 before they generate a good scoring chance.

Prove me wrong, boys.

This is what I'm (deeply) afraid of.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

https://twitter.com/user/status/1367534660448890884

Back to the gym Bennett!

[868904]

Wow, Ward just doesn't get it does he?

A game or two certain lines and then blend it up again.

There's no consistency in the play of the players because they have no chemistry. They are playing with different linemates ALL the time. Lucic has mentioned this a few times in interviews.

Not only that, a bubble guy has a decent game, OUT the next game. Ritchie had a couple of good games, back to the press box! Simon actually had some flashes early on in the season, then sat immediately. Same thing with Leivo.

Let's not even talk about Bennett.


It takes many games to develop or redevelop chemistry. You can't keep changing these lines constantly every time you face adversity. This is why you see so many passes to no one. One day Tkachuk is playing with Lindholm, he needs a few games to remember where Lindy goes, he finally gets back that feel and boom, back on Backlunds line! This is why these guys look so discombobulated.

The lack of effort is a big thing, but fix one thing at a time. Keep the lines together for a long stretch and just focus on getting these guys to work hard and battle.

This coach is terrible.

[GioforPM]

I hope they're just saving Markstrom for Edmonton and it's not a worse injury that can recur. Has he had concussion history?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Are you thinking that, on the road, Monahan and Gaudreau without Lindholm get exploited in their own zone, but that problem is less at home?

I get it but why not Dube with Monahan and Leivo with Lindholm?

I don't know, honestly. But I do think it is clear that the coaching staff would prefer—and seem pretty determined—to solidify these pairs. I actually think the home ice success has more to do with how much better the third line has looked in these games.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 868904

Wow, Ward just doesn't get it does he?

A game or two certain lines and then blend it up again.

There's no consistency in the play of the players because they have no chemistry. They are playing with different linemates ALL the time. Lucic has mentioned this a few times in interviews.

Not only that, a bubble guy has a decent game, OUT the next game. Ritchie had a couple of good games, back to the press box! Simon actually had some flashes early on in the season, then sat immediately. Same thing with Leivo.

Let's not even talk about Bennett.


It takes many games to develop or redevelop chemistry. You can't keep changing these lines constantly every time you face adversity. This is why you see so many passes to no one. One day Tkachuk is playing with Lindholm, he needs a few games to remember where Lindy goes, he finally gets back that feel and boom, back on Backlunds line! This is why these guys look so discombobulated.

The lack of effort is a big thing, but fix one thing at a time. Keep the lines together for a long stretch and just focus on getting these guys to work hard and battle.

This coach is terrible.

I know they want Ryan in and maybe Bennett is taking another hit for his lazy game on Monday - or maybe he's being traded and this is a request by the recipient. And I get why they want Lindholm to centre a top 6 line. But I think at this point the lines look like desperation.

TBF, Tkachuk has played with Lindholm all but the last two games, no? So I don't think lack of consistency applies there.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I hope they're just saving Markstrom for Edmonton and it's not a worse injury that can recur. Has he had concussion history?

He is the backup so he must be fine

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by 868904

Wow, Ward just doesn't get it does he?

A game or two certain lines and then blend it up again.

There's no consistency in the play of the players because they have no chemistry. They are playing with different linemates ALL the time. Lucic has mentioned this a few times in interviews.

Not only that, a bubble guy has a decent game, OUT the next game. Ritchie had a couple of good games, back to the press box! Simon actually had some flashes early on in the season, then sat immediately. Same thing with Leivo.

Let's not even talk about Bennett.


It takes many games to develop or redevelop chemistry. You can't keep changing these lines constantly every time you face adversity. This is why you see so many passes to no one. One day Tkachuk is playing with Lindholm, he needs a few games to remember where Lindy goes, he finally gets back that feel and boom, back on Backlunds line! This is why these guys look so discombobulated.

The lack of effort is a big thing, but fix one thing at a time. Keep the lines together for a long stretch and just focus on getting these guys to work hard and battle.

This coach is terrible.

To be honest I don't think it matters what Ward does anymore there will be fans that bash him. They just got dummied by the Sens.....if he kept the same lines intact there would be people here saying he's an idiot. Put the lines in a blender, he's an idiot. It doesn't really matter anymore. Just have to hope something clicks and they can pick up points against a team they should be better than. If Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm and Tkachuk can play the way they can it shouldn't matter what the lines are. If those four, heck even one or two of them, decide they're taking the night off again it won't matter what the lines are.

[Red]

First game back after a road trip.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I hope they're just saving Markstrom for Edmonton and it's not a worse injury that can recur. Has he had concussion history?

It's interesting that he is dressing but not starting - I am assuming that means that they would like him to get in a bit more practice time before he starts.

I wonder if Ward throws him in for the 3rd, if it isn't a one-goal game.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

To be honest I don't think it matters what Ward does anymore there will be fans that bash him. They just got dummied by the Sens.....if he kept the same lines intact there would be people here saying he's an idiot. Put the lines in a blender, he's an idiot. It doesn't really matter anymore. Just have to hope something clicks and they can pick up points against a team they should be better than. If Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm and Tkachuk can play the way they can it shouldn't matter what the lines are. If those four, heck even one or two of them, decide they're taking the night off again it won't matter what the lines are.

So you're saying Ward is NOT an idiot?

Just want to be clear.

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

time for some Pickle Power:

Hmm, Pickle Power was my college nickname.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Looch City

Either we blow them or get blown, it should be a fun time either way!

Never failed to be a fun time.

[MikeMc]

People lit Gulutzan up for never changing his lines. Now people light up Ward for changing them too much.

We've been through a bucket of coaches (sure maybe none are top tier). At some point it's on the players. At some point it's on the culture of the organization.

Effort. Pride. Blah blah blah.

I'm fine if Bennett never dresses for Calgary again (because my option matters haha).

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

To be honest I don't think it matters what Ward does anymore there will be fans that bash him. They just got dummied by the Sens.....if he kept the same lines intact there would be people here saying he's an idiot. Put the lines in a blender, he's an idiot. It doesn't really matter anymore. Just have to hope something clicks and they can pick up points against a team they should be better than. If Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm and Tkachuk can play the way they can it shouldn't matter what the lines are. If those four, heck even one or two of them, decide they're taking the night off again it won't matter what the lines are.

I agree that people will bitch regardless. More importantly, I agree that the lines shouldn't matter.

But that's the problem, IMO. If the line combos don't matter, stop changing them! Give the players one less thing to think about. Focus on the issues that might actually help.

IMO, the blender sends the wrong message - it comes across as guesswork at best, and desperate at worst. And it implies that he doesn't have any answers.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

So you're saying Ward is NOT an idiot?

Just want to be clear.

"Idiot" etc. gets thrown around a lot.

Ward is a substandard coach IMO, but he's also not an idiot, having been a hockey coach for a long long time, including on a cup winner. I also think he's a rookie HC who wasn't going to say no to an opportunity, but was put in a bad position with a really limited training camp after a decision to start a season, a tight schedule without much practice, and a team that has fundamental makeup issues.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Flames will win convincingly then get absolutely curb stomped by the Oilers Saturday because that’s what they do.

I'll take the alternate even if it means further shame for losing to Ottawa.

Even if we end up basement dwellers we must take BOA.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

https://twitter.com/user/status/1367535238482718723




Bennett's a healthy scratch. Playoff lines are disbanded, reverting back to the Lindholm at C configuration from the previous ~20 games. Not sure either move makes any difference.

So Ward is actually saying that Nordstrom is a better choice for the 4th line LW than Bennett? I know Bennett has been disappointing at times, but Nordstrom has been the worst player on the ice most games. Yet another head scratcher.

[The Boy Wonder]

Mangiapane has been our only player actually trying...

What is with Ward and these lines?

This team is brutal