[GDT] Flames @ Toronto, 5:00 PM SNW

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Johnny, Tkachuk, Monahan, Lindholm.

Those are the 4 that need to step up if this team wants to make the playoffs. Not just once in a while, but every game. We'll see who steps up tonight.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by 868904

If they go 3 and 1 for the rest of the season, they make the playoffs.

The goal when Sutter started was 20-10 and that would get them the playoffs.

We started 3-1.

So now it's just 17-9 the rest of the way.

Win 2 out of every three games. That's the goal.

[sa226]

I don't know if he does it consciously or sub consciously, but there's seemingly a message in everything he says in the media.

Praising the Leafs just looks like a nice sound bite prior to the game, but it hearkens back to his message that the skaters, namely centers have to look across the ice and outplay their counterpart.

I love it.

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think the Habs have a softer remaining schedule overall, and are still favored in simulations by a big margin.

Flames need to collect at least 6 out of every 10 possible points the rest of the way.

I think the simulations are much less accurate for this season, since every team in the division only ever plays every other team in the division. Wild swings from top-to-bottom are a lot more likely this year.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think the simulations are much less accurate for this season, since every team in the division only ever plays every other team in the division. Wild swings from top-to-bottom are a lot more likely this year.

Yep Montreal plays Edmonton 3 times next week...somebody is losing

Flames are 9 points back of the Oilers...most years that is impossible with two months left. 3 games in hand plus 4 head to heads.

If the Flames play really good hockey they will pass somebody, its up to them though.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Johnny, Tkachuk, Monahan, Lindholm.

Those are the 4 that need to step up if this team wants to make the playoffs. Not just once in a while, but every game. We'll see who steps up tonight.

All I want to see is Gaudreau and Monahan winning shifts at even strength.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

All I want to see is Gaudreau and Monahan winning shifts at even strength.

Yeah that's been an issue for sure. If they see themselves as a #1 line those two need to play like it 5vs5 way more. I don't think too many teams around the league fear that line at all. If anything, with how poor they are in their own end I'm guessing there a lot of teams that love to see them out there taking a faceoff in their own end.

[hwy19man]

Pregame links
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...review_13.html
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...ummary_13.html
https://scores.nbcsports.com/nhl/pre...&home=21&vis=3


The game is also on TVA Sports in french nationally.

[FanIn80]

Did anyone else watch Sutter's presser after the blowout? To paraphrase:

We have more skill than the 04 team, but not enough skill to beat the other teams in this division with offence. Look at tonight, shots were even but they scored 7, we got 3. These guys need to learn that we don't have the firepower to beat teams on the scoreboard. We have to beat them on defence. We're not playing the rest of the NHL, just the teams in our division. We have a lot of skill, but not as much as the teams we're playing against.

Another tidbit, again paraphrased:

Not for one second did I think of pulling him. I've had a lot of great goalies, and I've trusted them to battle through it. Pulling a goalie is like benching them. I don't pull my goalie. This one's a great goalie, just like the other ones I've had, and he's gonna have to battle too.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Yeah that's been an issue for sure. If they see themselves as a #1 line those two need to play like it 5vs5 way more. I don't think too many teams around the league fear that line at all. If anything, with how poor they are in their own end I'm guessing there a lot of teams that love to see them out there taking a faceoff in their own end.

Not making excuses for them but, to be fair, they have been playing with a 4th liner on their RW all season.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Did anyone else watch Sutter's presser after the blowout? To paraphrase:

We have more skill than the 04 team, but not enough skill to beat the other teams in this division with offence. Look at tonight, shots were even but they scored 7, we got 3. These guys need to learn that we don't have the firepower to beat teams on the scoreboard. We have to beat them on defence. We're not playing the rest of the NHL, just the teams in our division. We have a lot of skill, but not as much as the teams we're playing against.
.

I completely agree with him, but my concern is Johnny can't play the type of style he's eluding to, nor can Monny in my opinion. Looking back at our '04 team...was there a single player like these two guys? Oleg? Lol.

Or Sutter's teams in LA...all his skill guys were also either physical, or full two-way players. None of the soft offensive types like JG and Monny.

That's what concerns me.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I completely agree with him, but my concern is Johnny can't play the type of style he's eluding to, nor can Monny in my opinion. Looking back at our '04 team...was there a single player like these two guys? Oleg? Lol.

Or Sutter's teams in LA...all his skill guys were also either physical, or full two-way players. None of the soft offensive types like JG and Monny.

That's what concerns me.

Marian Gaborik was neither physical, nor a full two-way player.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by direwolf

How the Flames respond in this game will be very telling. A bounce back win would be nice and would obviously help restore everyone's faith that Sutter can turn this team around.

some peoples' faith has not wavered

[Monahammer]

3-1 in the sutter era still. And he knows how to get this team there. All that remains to be seen is who is willing to follow. I personally think Johnny and Sean are capable of playing that game, but we better be ready as fans for them to produce at .6 ppg only (or .8 ppg if we can score a better RW.) Sutter is ready for it.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

2-1 in the sutter era still .

3-1 with a chance to go 4-1. I think everyone on this board would have been ecstatic if they were told 10 days ago we'd win 4 of 5 to start under sutter.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Edit nm

[Harry Lime]

Monahan has been playing better defense all year, and it looked like that was a personal decision. Now that Sutter is there, the concentration on 2-way play by him should really pay off.

I see it as waiting until his comfort level reaches a natural point playing that way, and then his offensive game will come back with a vengeance, once he stops thinking about it.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Marian Gaborik was neither physical, nor a full two-way player.

Exactly.

I think Sutter is just fine with players, especially his top end guys, not dumping the puck if there is an opportunity to carry the puck into the zone with a high probability of maintaining possession. I think Gaudreau is just too quick to dump the puck in at the moment. Still trying to figure out his leash in this regard.

What Sutter won't appreciate from his players, are turnovers at either blue line, failing to get the puck out due to soft play.

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It is more likely that it is because everyone is afraid of you.

Because he can be a real Knut sometimes...