[PGT] 12 straight opening night losses

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It matters not how they came to the outcome as it is the final outcome that only matters. The final outcome was 5 - 2 beatdown on the scoreboard. There are no participation points in professional sports, just the final results on the scoreboard. Sounds like a Coyotes forum or something where fans are happy that the team played well in a 3 goal loss.

We are on a message board where we discuss the games. Nobody is expecting the NHL to give the Flames 2 participation points for their effort.

The fans are discussing that they played well which is the truth. They play like that most nights and they win. No participation points needed.

[Robbob]

I don't understand the kneejerk reaction after one game, which I didn't think was that bad. Is asking too much to give this team 10 games to see how things look. I don't think it is. I get it that the loss was extra salty because it was against the Oilers, but I think that there were a lot of positives. I look forward to the game on Monday. Glad meaningful hockey is back.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Of course how they played matters. If you’re working towards improving the team, playing well matters even in a loss.

Does not fit the doomsayers agenda though. Nothing this roster does will be good enough. Even if they won they would have still came out with some negative spin. It is just the way a handful of posters are on here.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I don't think it's moral victories to point out how the actual game rolled out.

When I try and assess a team and where it's going I like to look deeper than the final score.

The Flames played pretty well in my mind, better than the score suggested.

That doesn't mean anything on this night, they didn't get the two points, but it sure as hell gives me more optimism that they could have a decent season if they put efforts/game plans like that together consistently.

That isn't negative so has no room on CP.....paste eater.

[NewFan]

I think Gaudreau and Tkachuk needs to play in a different lines. Tkachuk-Lindholm-Coleman, Gaudreau-Monahan-Mangi, Lucic-Backlund-Dube.

[howard_the_duck]

That looked like a carbon copy of a game after DS took over last year. Played quicker, put pucks on net, but it’s all on the perimeter. Easiest 40+ save game Smith will have this season.

The Pool party goal was a back breaker and you need that save from your $6M goaltender.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Gaudreau and Tkachuk needs to play in a different lines. Tkachuk-Lindholm-Coleman, Gaudreau-Monahan-Mangi, Lucic-Backlund-Dube.

I feel that any line with Monahan on it is deadweight at this stage.

Gaudreau - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Dube - Backlund - Coleman

That’s our best shot.

[Knightslayer]

Haven't seen many people mention the refereeing. It was awful and Elliote friedman nailed it right on the head. Refs were looking to make calls. NHL has a huge reffing problem. Time for the old boys club to be taken down.

Also turtle Kassian sure was acting like a coward last night.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

That looked like a carbon copy of a game after DS took over last year. Played quicker, put pucks on net, but it’s all on the perimeter. Easiest 40+ save game Smith will have this season.

The Pool party goal was a back breaker and you need that save from your $6M goaltender.

That was an absolute snipe. Not many goalies are saving that if any.

[Knightslayer]

Watching the 4th goal again, that was definitely on Backlund and Zadorov. Zadorov should see the middle open like that and not worry about Ceci on the outside.

Backlund was coasting and asleep that whole shift.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

Watching the 4th goal again, that was definitely on Backlund and Zadorov. Zadorov should see the middle open like that and not worry about Ceci on the outside.

Backlund was coasting and asleep that whole shift.

Backlund was coasting all game every shift. So lazy.

[Brouhaha]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

Haven't seen many people mention the refereeing. It was awful and Elliote friedman nailed it right on the head. Refs were looking to make calls. NHL has a huge reffing problem. Time for the old boys club to be taken down.

Also turtle Kassian sure was acting like a coward last night.

I'm not going to say poor officiating is what sank the Flames last night, but some of those calls and non-calls are definitely head-scratchers. Some consistency would be nice. Two refs are supposed to be better than one, right? The quality of the officiating seems to have severely deteriorated. However, you won't find too many fanbases that like the reffing.

Concerning Gudbranson, I was quite pleased with his overall performance. He and his defense partner did well in their roles in game 1. It's a long season so let's see how this goes. At least, he's off on the right foot. I too did not understand or agree with the signing this summer. My hope was that he would be our new version of Deryk Engelland, a big solid D-man who played within himself, took take of his teammates, play physical and limit scoring chances, limiting his own mistakes in the process. Being a veteran player and playing the way he has during his career, I'm sure Sutter's message to him and his expectations were clear. Now, he could crap the bed and be a liability on most nights, but playing within Sutter's system may just be right up his alley. Only time will tell.

Overall, I thought the guys did some really good things 5 vs 5. The PK will have to perform better than it did last night. Looking forward to see how they do with a more complete lineup. I would love nothing more than to see Tkachuk show that he is well worth 9+ mill/season. It will take more than what he showed last night, but it is still only 1 game. I look forward to see how this plays out.

Go get 'em on Monday!

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

Watching the 4th goal again, that was definitely on Backlund and Zadorov. Zadorov should see the middle open like that and not worry about Ceci on the outside.

Backlund was coasting and asleep that whole shift.

What do you think Tanev's role was on that play?

Puljujarvi was Tanev's man.

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

That looked like a carbon copy of a game after DS took over last year. Played quicker, put pucks on net, but it’s all on the perimeter. Easiest 40+ save game Smith will have this season.



The Pool party goal was a back breaker and you need that save from your $6M goaltender.

The Flames shooting percentage went up after Sutter took over last season...

I agree about the Puljujarvi goal though. Nice shot but it sealed the game and the Flames needed that save.

[Enoch Root]

I think the fact that they ran with 3 lines really hurt them.

Normally, it should be no problem to go one game with 11 forwards. But it was game one of the season for them, after a week off. And it wasn't game 1 for the Oilers. And it was an extremely intense and physical game - for the first half at least.

In the 3rd, the Flames were out of gas.

[Enoch Root]

I am not worried about Johnny, he was working hard, it just wasn't happening for him offensively last night. But it will.

My biggest concerns were Lindholm and Monahan.

Lindholm seems to get a pass with fans for the most part, but I think there is a lack of intensity there, too often. I thought he was invisible last night.

As for Monahan, i thought he started out great, which was very encouraging. But after those two hits, he was timid and useless. So the question is: was he hurt or was he a shrinking violet. Obviously the latter would be extremely concerning, but the former isn't great news either.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I am not worried about Johnny, he was working hard, it just wasn't happening for him offensively last night. But it will.

My biggest concerns were Lindholm and Monahan.

Lindholm seems to get a pass with fans for the most part, but I think there is a lack of intensity there, too often. I thought he was invisible last night.

As for Monahan, i thought he started out great, which was very encouraging. But after those two hits, he was timid and useless. So the question is: was he hurt or was he a shrinking violet. Obviously the latter would be extremely concerning, but the former isn't great news either.

There’s more than enough evidence to conclude Monahan is, in fact, a shrinking violet.

[dino7c]

If the Oilers are actually the contenders for the division everyone thinks they are the Flames are fine.

On the road, hadn't played in 8 days (or a real game at all) didn't get the bounces or the calls. Also missing an important player.

Losing sucks but the Flames dominated 5 on 5. Take the good and clean up the bad.

You won't win 82

Jets are 0-2 vs. SJ and Anaheim

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Rinse and repeat.

Every year we hear the same things from the players, management, and most fans: if they play like this every night, they'll win more than they lose.

It's BS, and the reason you can tell it's BS is the same end of year results most every year.

Pretty much this.

A good effort is just the minimum requirement to be competitive.

The good teams will come at you with a good effort AND talent.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I am not worried about Johnny, he was working hard, it just wasn't happening for him offensively last night. But it will.

My biggest concerns were Lindholm and Monahan.

Lindholm seems to get a pass with fans for the most part, but I think there is a lack of intensity there, too often. I thought he was invisible last night.

As for Monahan, i thought he started out great, which was very encouraging. But after those two hits, he was timid and useless. So the question is: was he hurt or was he a shrinking violet. Obviously the latter would be extremely concerning, but the former isn't great news either.

Lindholm is over a PPG in his Flames career vs the Oilers. It wasn't his best game but he scored 1 of the 2 goals