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

[Backstop]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

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

This 100%

A lifelong friend who happens to also be a total savant at 'get under your skin chirps' does absolutely appreciates a solid salvo back.

[Enoch Root]

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.

Have been saying all year it should be

Hanifin - Andersson
Giordano - Tanev

There have been multiple issues with the lineup this year, but Gio-Andersson was bad from the get go, and those are important guys. IMO, that was the first leak that eventually sank the ship.

It is almost certainly too late to right the ship now, but if they can somehow run the table on the Habs, then this season could become one for the ages. Because, as last night showed, when they play well, the Flames are still arguably the best team in this division. At least they are as good as any.

If ever there was a 'just make the playoffs and anything could happen' year, this is it.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

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

Absolutely

Plus I doubt he's still mad at Muzzin just because his wires got crossed 3 months ago

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Have been saying all year it should be

Hanifin - Andersson
Giordano - Tanev

There have been multiple issues with the lineup this year, but Gio-Andersson was bad from the get go, and those are important guys. IMO, that was the first leak that eventually sank the ship.

It is almost certainly too late to right the ship now, but if they can somehow run the table on the Habs, then this season could become one for the ages. Because, as last night showed, when they play well, the Flames are still arguably the best team in this division. At least they are as good as any.

If ever there was a 'just make the playoffs and anything could happen' year, this is it.

Frankly, Andersson was still subpar last night (Hanifin was excellent though).

[Rollin22x]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Absolutely

Plus I doubt he's still mad at Muzzin just because his wires got crossed 3 months ago

I think he is still a little mad. He took some shots at Muzzin after the whistle a couple times last night.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Frankly, Andersson was still subpar last night (Hanifin was excellent though).

minus one horrific giveaway (Hanifin) that coulda changed the outcome of the game

[Rick M.]

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.

Let Backs mentor Ruzicka.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Stanley

minus one horrific giveaway (Hanifin) that coulda changed the outcome of the game

Don't recall that one. I was thinking of his stuffing of a two on one when Valimaki and Andersson muffed a change, and his shutdown of a couple otehr breaks. Andersson made a couple really bad decisions in his own end, like when he inexplicably passed to Monahan who had been covering guys in front of the net

[The Cobra]

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.

But if he laughed about it, it would show that it doesn't bother him. Showing distaste for it feeds into Muzzin. Laughing does the opposite.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

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

Im Getting old ... 2014 in round 1 they were down 3-0 to the sharks . Mis remembering things.

[GioforPM]

Cool little note by Jen Botteril about Sutter conversing with Markstrom before OT, and likely telling him - don’t freeze the puck, leading to a goal.

[Tsawwassen]

Post game links
https://scores.nbcsports.com/nhl/rec...s=3&final=true
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...cap134257.html