How are you feeling about the flames so far?

[CaptainCrunch]

Lou Brown: [Lou's talk to the team before the opening day game] All right people, we got 10 minutes 'till game time, let's all gather 'round. I'm not much for giving inspirational addresses, but I'd just like to point out that every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. The local press seems to think that we'd save everyone the time and trouble if we just went out and shot ourselves. Me, I'm for wasting sportswriters' time. So I figured we ought to hang around for a while and see if we can give 'em all a nice big ####burger to eat!
[entire team laughs]

[NegativeSpace]

My biggest concern with the Flames coming into the year was the defence. I didn't like the make up of the top six but the progression of Kylington has resolved that issue. By "resolved", I mean that we appear to have a legitimate top six properly slotted. They are not going to be the most flashy defence group but they can do the job required.

The next concern is where the goals were going to come from. Sutter said that he thought last year's team needed a half-goal more in offence and a half-goal less in defence. I had no reason to disagree. I think like many we under appreciated the impact of Sutter's concerns about pace of play and conditioning of the players as an impact on both the defensive game and the offensive game. If conditioning was so poor, then I understand why he did not have as much of an impact last year. Hard to fix conditioning mid-season. The ability to turn pucks over with the pace of play led to both of Mangiapane's goals last night. Not sure we get those goals last year.

It is fair to assume that some players will cool off, but some players have yet to register a goal or are behind their typical pace. I am hoping that the team continues to grow in their pace and their details as the season goes along. I recall that the two seasons Sutter coached in 2004 and 2006 the team really did not have long bad stretches. I will be watching to see if that is the case this year.

I came into the season really hoping Sutter would have an impact and he's more than delivered.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Yes.. and?

Still a goal per game in the last dozen.

Oh, I thought it was positive. Those saying it's a hot streak forget that he's had a few months in between games. This may just be who he is.

[GreenLantern2814]

It’s the best they’ve looked coming out of the gate since I’ve been watching them.

They’ve still only beaten one playoff team, but the signs are encouraging.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It’s the best they’ve looked coming out of the gate since I’ve been watching them.

They’ve still only beaten one playoff team, but the signs are encouraging.

Rangers are a playoff team IMO
Devils might be
Caps are obviously

Combined record of Flames opponents is VERY high and 6 of 7 on the road isn't easy...last season is kinda irrelevant IMO

[the_only_turek_fan]

I predicted them to finish first in the division and I am sticking to that prediction.

105 points.

Sutter, healthy Markstrom, and Coleman all game changers.

[Mathgod]

I'm feeling quite optimistic. This team seems to have taken a big step forward ever since splitting up Johnny & Mony and pairing Johnny with Lindy. Since then, Lindy & Mangi have been on fire. Add Coleman to the mix, and suddenly this is a team that can find the back of the net when they need to. Provided that Markstrom holds up his end of the bargain, and this team continues to play solid defensively, I see no reason why these guys can't finish top 4 in the conference and make noise in the playoffs.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

This is still the biggest worry.

Mangiapane and Lindholm can't keep up this pace forever...need to get others finishing for when those two dry up.

Lindholm can’t keep this goal pace but Gaudreau and Tkachuk have 2 combined. This line can keep the pace for sure just will see a redistribution on the goals from Lindholm to Gaudreau and Tkachuk.

It’s more the 2nd line when Mangiapane slows down Dube and Ritchie have 0 goals. Dube might chip in some but I’m not holding my breath on Ritchie adding some. That’s why Monahan needs to step up. 0 goals on 4th line but he’s on the first PP. he needs to work his way on to 2nd line and chip in on pp to take pressure off Lindholm and Mangiapane as our 2 key goal scorers.

Tkachuk needs to start to finish on some of his chances too but to say the 1st is over achieving because Lindholm is a goal per game isn’t correct imo. They maybe are slightly above par overall. Still not out pacing the first line when Johnny got 99 points.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It’s the best they’ve looked coming out of the gate since I’ve been watching them.

They’ve still only beaten one playoff team, but the signs are encouraging.

A few of those teams could be playoff teams, and they're all in the top 16 of the standings.

So technically they beat playoff teams if you approach it from a current season perspective.

Oilers have beat largely doormat clubs, by comparison and IMO got us before we had our feet under us and worked out our D pairings / had Coleman.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Need to see how they deal with adversity. One of the issues, with the team, as I see it has been mental toughness. Need to see how they rebound after a loss. And how they perform in big games. That's been a big issue for a few seasons and I don't think that's been tested yet.

But you can't ask for a better start.

[Igottago]

Pretty happy because the results are in line with how they are playing on the ice, its not like they are sneaking out fluke wins. I said in the offseason I was slightly optimistic because I have full faith in Sutter as a coach, so I don't think you can overlook how important it was to get a coach of his caliber, it should have happened years ago. My concerns however still remain: will the blueline hold up as its currently constructed and will the core forwards finally figure out how to raise their level when it matters most? Those questions won't be answered this early, but right now signs are good. I am concerned about Monahan not being what he used to be, hopefully he can actually get it back and start building some confidence at some point.

I've always been of the belief that being great consistently in the regular season is a pre-cursor to being great in the playoffs, never was a fan of the "just get in and go on a run" mentality, so this start is fantastic. I hope they can challenge for the division.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by redmile04

Loving it doing get me wrong, a great start is rare here and is needed, has cost us positioning in the past.. however.. regular season really hasn't been the major issue here. 18/19, won the west, have made playoffs 2 of the last 2 seasons. Going back to 06- won the division. We have had nice streaks, 10 in a row the Brian Elliot year. What is the similarity with all those years? ZERO playoff wins. Again, happy they are playing well but lets see if they change the playoff fortunes, regular seasons have been decent and we have had streaks like this. GFG

That’s the thing though. This seems different because this style of play is actually conducive to winning in the playoffs. Sutter is going to have the team playing exactly the same way..

[genetic_phreek]

One of the things I've been guilty of is associating Sutter as a low scoring, blue collar, dump and chase coach but I'm actually pleasantly surprised how he is implementing his system.

I think he's just trying to simplify the mindset. For example, the dump and chase is a product of "simplifying" when you don't have space to carry the puck in otherwise, guys are still bringing the puck over the blue line to make plays.

The players are making quick decisions and committing to them which is allowing easier reads for their line mates.

It's not hard to feel good about this team when you win games in convincing fashion and lose games that you could have or should have won.

I like my crow cooked medium please.

[activeStick]

Very good start and to be quite honest, I think I've seen enough and it's pretty clear the Flames will win the cup this season.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Very good start and to be quite honest, I think I've seen enough and it's pretty clear the Flames will win the cup this season.

Tre better be planning a parade.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Very good start and to be quite honest, I think I've seen enough and it's pretty clear the Flames will win the cup this season.

Thanks, Mavid Snaples.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jethro Choicebro

(from reddit) https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm

MoneyPuck has us with the 2nd best odds to make the playoffs, and the best odds for the cup.

Not sure I'd go that far given the sample size but certainly a great proof of concept that if playing the right way this team compete against good teams.

I think the question will be once Lindholm's and Mangiapane's scoring pace slows to more normal if others can pick it up

I love this, solely because it will cause Oilers fans to lose their minds.

[Kidder]

Regarding Monahan. That was a nice heads up pass to a wide open Tkachuk on the 5th goal yesterday.

He made a similar clever seam pass to a sneaking in Killington against the Rangers that could have easily been another assist. And then he got a wide open chance later he couldn’t bury, but usually does.

His days of tap ins and easy assists are probably done now that he’s away from Gaudreau. But if he keeps up his heads up ability the points will come, just not as abundant as before.

What I like is he’s not pouting and is buying into the system as well. Hopefully he finds his groove on the second line at some point.

[Mass_nerder]

Best odds to win the cup? That's one of crazier things I've seen so far this season.
And here I am, just rounding the corner from skeptical to cautiously optimistic about our chances of making the playoffs...

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

Oh, I thought it was positive. Those saying it's a hot streak forget that he's had a few months in between games. This may just be who he is.

Username didn't check out, was deceived.