[PGT] Flames beat Toronto, Rittich 3-2 in OT!

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by 81MC

Word. Don’t want to watch, don’t. But this way, if you do enjoy an evening or hockey, there’s something worth cheering for.

Rooting for a loss in sports is not sporting.

My apathy reached its apex this season. I've never cheered for losses, but I've just been so disgusted with the effort level and performance of top players this season that I just detached myself from it. Losses = higher pick, so I was indifferent. I was just hoping for change one way or the other.

The last couple performances, coupled with the billion games vs the Habs coming up has sucked me back in and I'm actively engaged again. I'll never abandon this silly little club of ours wholly.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Overall they have been better since changing the lines - I'd personally say it's actually the better balance in the d-pairs that's making the bigger difference though.

Anderson-Hanifin - 55.1% xGF
Tanev - Gio: 55.9% xGF
Valimaki-Stone: 50% xGF

The forward lines have been more of a mixed bag:

Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk: 36.7% xGF, 45% Offensive Zone
Mangiapane-Monahan-Dube: 60.2% xGF, 50% Offensive Zone
Lucic - Backlund - Nordstrom: 62.9% xGF, 21% Offensive Zone
Ryan - Ritchie - Leivo: 62.6% xGF, 57% Offensive Zone

So as much as the narrative has been "Gaudreau is back" away from Monahan it's not neccessarily the case.

That line has been outshot, and heavily out chanced at 5v5, and i'd say Gaudreau looks the same as he did with Monahan. Personally I think Monahan looks better with Mangiapane and Dube than he did with Johnny though.

The top 2 lines certainly both look to have more energy. But that’s maybe to be expected for a short time. Just like the coaching change, we need to see a little more. That said, I like the chemistry better even on paper. The Lindholm line has the 3 most creative guys, whereas the Monahan line has diggers, decent speed aside from the centre, and 3 guys who like to take the play to the net.

I suspect the fancy stats will always favour Monahan’s line because overall it has better defence, faceoffs, and forechecking.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by 81MC

Word. Don’t want to watch, don’t. But this way, if you do enjoy an evening or hockey, there’s something worth cheering for.

Rooting for a loss in sports is not sporting.

Besides, watching Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto coast to the playoffs is no fun.

Putting a fire under the Habs and Oilers and making them sweat to keep their playoff berths in the final stretch is much, much more fun.

I'd love to see the Oilers goaltending pick right now to crater on them.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Besides, watching Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto coast to the playoffs is no fun.

Putting a fire under the Habs and Oilers and making them sweat to keep their playoff berths in the final stretch is much, much more fun.

I'd love to see the Oilers goaltending pick right now to crater on them.

Yeah, was gonna say, tanking would be a lot easier to take if every game wasn’t against the Oilers, Jets, Canucks, Leafs (Habs and Sens don’t bother me as much).

[Fighting Banana Slug]

The lines look better at this point. In particular having EatBread and Dube together is really fun. Great to see them getting a chance at good minutes and buzzing around.

The Backlund line was suprisingly effective last night. I do wish Backs had a bit more help offensively though, as I think it will be tough for them to generate much in the way of offence.

Crazy to see Stone really settle down the D pairings. I think this is the line up, until they are eliminated.

[djsFlames]

Somebody going to make a GDT for tonight or?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

It's kinda his thing. He won 2 cups on that( technically should be 3) . La was down in round 1 and 2 3-1 their first cup win after seeding 8th...

What are you talking about? LA had a 3-0 lead in their first round in 2012, and were 8-1 through the first two.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[BarDown]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, was gonna say, tanking would be a lot easier to take if every game wasn’t against the Oilers, Jets, Canucks, Leafs (Habs and Sens don’t bother me as much).

This. 100%. I can certainly see the big picture and the benefits of getting a higher draft pick out of this season. However, having to see the Flames continously lose against the leafs and oilers in particular is just way too unpalatable.

As another poster said, I have no control over the standings, draft order, etc., and cheering for wins is a whole lot more fun than hoping they lose. I was actually surprised how engaged I was in the game last night.

On a different note, congrats to Lucic. He has had a great career to date and has played well during this mess of a season.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Overall they have been better since changing the lines - I'd personally say it's actually the better balance in the d-pairs that's making the bigger difference though.

Anderson-Hanifin - 55.1% xGF
Tanev - Gio: 55.9% xGF
Valimaki-Stone: 50% xGF

Gio-Anderson just didn't work and it was cratering this team. Much better balance in the top 4 now though.

The forward lines have been more of a mixed bag:

Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk: 36.7% xGF, 45% Offensive Zone
Mangiapane-Monahan-Dube: 60.2% xGF, 50% Offensive Zone
Lucic - Backlund - Nordstrom: 62.9% xGF, 21% Offensive Zone
Ryan - Ritchie - Leivo: 62.6% xGF, 57% Offensive Zone

So as much as the narrative has been "Gaudreau is back" away from Monahan it's not necessarily the case.

That line has been outshot, and heavily out chanced at 5v5, and I'd say Gaudreau looks the same as he did with Monahan. Personally I think Monahan looks better with Mangiapane and Dube than he did with Johnny though.

Lindholm - Gaudreau - Tkachuk were pretty great in the third (first shift) and into OT. Created dangerous chances almost every shift and were out against Marner - Matthews quite a bit. Yes they were out for tying goal but they had great quality, especially third period.

PP goal was nice connection between those three too.
I think Darryl has used multiple combo in forwards but top 6 F also playing effectively- Mangiapane and Dube getting in there with Monahan playing well too. It's too early to say anything about F but Lindholm group was incredible in my books. Gaudreau - Tkachuk connection growing and made some great passes to start transition from own zone.

Agreed with top 4 D but I think Andersson can be even better (he was better against EDM than TOR but not saying he was bad).

Darryl's practice days during VAN postponement are helping team play better/faster. But task ahead tall.

[SuperMatt18]

Oh for sure it's only two games and Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk has shown flashes, but still room for improvement and have had some issues defensively.

I still think overall that Tkachuk is the top forward on this team that's been the most disappointing and he's the one that really needs to get going here.

[GioforPM]

I wonder if, had he won, Rittich had plans for Muzzin to hug and lift him Tkachuk -style. There's a pretty good chance he did.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Oh for sure it's only two games and Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk has shown flashes, but still room for improvement and have had some issues defensively.

I still think overall that Tkachuk is the top forward on this team that's been the most disappointing and he's the one that really needs to get going here.

Even he was better - no weird between the leg passes to the middle of the ice in his own zone, no drop passes to the opposition's best cherry picker. And a nice set-up of Lindholm, who I must admit, looks better in that high slot powerplay spot with his ripper than Monahan and his more careful shot.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Merely flipping their record vs the Sens puts them head and head with MTL for the post season.

Actually Ottawa has 9 points to Calgary's 5 points.

Giving Calgary 4 more points leaves them 2 points behind, with Montreal having 3 games in hand. So, about 5 points behind when you account for games played.

Of course, there is no reasonable basis for flipping the Ottawa/Calgary records.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I wonder if, had he won, Rittich had plans for Muzzin to hug and lift him Tkachuk -style. There's a pretty good chance he did.

That would be kind of ######y IMO.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That would be kind of ######y IMO.

I could see Rittich thinking it was hilarious.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That would be kind of ######y IMO.

Really? I think it would've been hilarious

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

The lines look better at this point. In particular having EatBread and Dube together is really fun. Great to see them getting a chance at good minutes and buzzing around.

The Backlund line was suprisingly effective last night. I do wish Backs had a bit more help offensively though, as I think it will be tough for them to generate much in the way of offence.

Crazy to see Stone really settle down the D pairings. I think this is the line up, until they are eliminated.

I would like to see Ruzicka get into some games down the stretch.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Really? I think it would've been hilarious

Agreed, Tkachuk is known for agitating, probably isn’t so bad at trash talking

Rittich took some trash talk on the plane

These guys have senses of humour

It would have been funny for sure

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Really? I think it would've been hilarious

The Muzzin incident seemed to be a bit of contentious thing with Tkachuk. Maybe he's moved on and would laugh about it but it's really hard to say as I'm just not sure he would be pleased to see Muzzin sticking it to him once again.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The Muzzin incident seemed to be a bit of contentious thing with Tkachuk. Maybe he's moved on and would laugh about it but it's really hard to say as I'm just not sure he would be pleased to see Muzzin sticking it to him once again.

If he wants to play that game he needs to have the skin to go with it. Game has to recognize game.