[GDT] Flames vs Senators, 7:00 PM, MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[GoFlamesGo89]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If they put Mangiapane with them ... maybe even Dube than they'd be a second line.

The way things are built though there isn't a 2nd line.

Coleman and Backlund are certainly not scoring like second liners but they're only a few points away from doing so.

Based on production / 60 the Flames break down as follows

1st Line
Gaudreau
Tkachuk

2nd Line
Lindholm (1 point short of top line)
Mangiapane (1 point short of top line)
Lucic
Dube

3rd Line
Coleman (1 point short of 2nd line)
Backlund (3 points short of 2nd line)

Then a huge drop off.

too lazy to look-- are these numbers based on PPG or absolute numbers? If the former, Calgary has played fewer games than most and I'm guessing those 1 point misses get bumped up a category.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo89

too lazy to look-- are these numbers based on PPG or absolute numbers? If the former, Calgary has played fewer games than most and I'm guessing those 1 point misses get bumped up a category.

It's points/60 so no the games in hand wouldn't factor in, they need to be one more point productive in the ice time they've had to date this year, for example.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

It's pretty apparent that the strategy is to try to get ahead early and just strangle the other team down with possession and good team defence. After the first line WOOF that's a lot of grinder/defence minded guys playing higher in the line up on this team then they would elsewhere. But as usual, in Sutter I trust. Might not make for exciting hockey but as long as we gain points in the standings I'm happy.

This team does play much, much more confidently when they score first.

They're good at managing any kind of lead.

Just starting from behind too often lately.

[NewFan]

Yes, Ottawa was one of the reason we missed the playoff last year. We should be looking for revenge. And they helped Oilers to make playoffs too.
No mercy!!!

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If they put Mangiapane with them ... maybe even Dube than they'd be a second line.

The way things are built though there isn't a 2nd line.

Coleman and Backlund are certainly not scoring like second liners but they're only a few points away from doing so.

Based on production / 60 the Flames break down as follows

1st Line
Gaudreau
Tkachuk

2nd Line
Lindholm (1 point short of top line)
Mangiapane (1 point short of top line)
Lucic
Dube

3rd Line
Coleman (1 point short of 2nd line)
Backlund (3 points short of 2nd line)

Then a huge drop off.

The team is missing a 2nd line center and a serviceable 4th line. That's really the issue.

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Gaudreau has been an elite top line this year.

The problem though is that I'm not sure we've used Mangiapane, Backlund, Coleman, Dube, and Lucic in a way that makes sense.

One thing they really should be doing is giving Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman more of a look.

In 120 minutes together they are 66% expected goals for, have 2 goals for, 0 goals against, but are shooting 3.0% when on the ice together.

They've been dominant though in terms of possession and chance creation (70% high danger corsi for).

Then the other thing in the interim is not playing Monahan with Lewis on the 4th line.

Monahan is 54.5% xGF when playing without Lewis, and 38.8% xGF when playing with Lewis. Monahan hasn't had the bounce back season we hoped, but that was never going to happen being saddled with Lewis and Richardson.

Ideally they bring in a forward at the deadline, and I'd like them to call up one of the prospects, but with the pieces they have on the roster right now the lines really should be:

Gaudreau - Lindholm - Tkachuk: 60.8% xGF in 387 minutes
Mangiapane - Backlund - Coleman: 66.3% xGF in 120 minutes
Lucic - Monahan - Dube: 64.2 xGF in 30 minutes

That's actually putting our best 9 forwards into our top 9.

Then between Lewis, Ritchie, Pitlick, Ruzicka, and Richardson (who shouldn't play) put together a 4th line.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by NewFan

Yes, Ottawa was one of the reason we missed the playoff last year. We should be looking for revenge. And they helped Oilers to make playoffs too.
No mercy!!!

No mercy.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Agreed. They could cobble together a Coleman - Dube - Mangiapane decent second line, but the bottom six would look really rough.

I hope Dube starts to show something, 2nd line may be reaching atm.

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[Bongsong]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Don't think you can say that without actually seeing it.

If you say screw the bottom six, and build that line how many more points would Backlund and Coleman have at this point if they're weren't lined up with one of Pitlick or Ritchie?

Guessing the production pops enough that they'd be an average second line.

I think that's the problem Pitlick and Ritchie being anywhere but the 4th line we need another top 9 winger to balance it out a little more. Possibly make 2 second lines if Monahan can pick it up a bit.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Bongsong

I think that's the problem Pitlick and Ritchie being anywhere but the 4th line we need another top 9 winger to balance it out a little more. Possibly make 2 second lines if Monahan can pick it up a bit.

Sutter puts a lot of value in rolling four lines.

So you're going to see some balance and not a huge drop off for the fourth line. An infusion of a bit of talent to give them more options would be great though.

I'm all for giving Phillips a look, I'm like some that don't expect a whole lot when he does but I'd love to be wrong!

Guessing they wait for an injury to do it though.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not sure the Flames have a second line.

Looks more like two thirds and a fourth to me.

That right side of the bottom 9...gah

Not exactly "The Right Stuff".

If we were going/tanking for Shane Wright, might be "The Wright Stuff"

[Bongsong]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Don't think you can say that without actually seeing it.

If you say screw the bottom six, and build that line how many more points would Backlund and Coleman have at this point if they're weren't lined up with one of Pitlick or Ritchie?

Guessing the production pops enough that they'd be an average second line.

Originally Posted by Bingo

Sutter puts a lot of value in rolling four lines.

So you're going to see some balance and not a huge drop off for the fourth line. An infusion of a bit of talent to give them more options would be great though.

I'm all for giving Phillips a look, I'm like some that don't expect a whole lot when he does but I'd love to be wrong!

Guessing they wait for an injury to do it though.

I'm sure something will happen by deadline, I'm just hoping its sooner than that. RW preferred or a C should add a little more balance. No matter what I will still be cheering for the good guys.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If they put Mangiapane with them ... maybe even Dube than they'd be a second line.

The way things are built though there isn't a 2nd line.

Coleman and Backlund are certainly not scoring like second liners but they're only a few points away from doing so.

Based on production / 60 the Flames break down as follows

1st Line
Gaudreau
Tkachuk

2nd Line
Lindholm (1 point short of top line)
Mangiapane (1 point short of top line)
Lucic
Dube

3rd Line
Coleman (1 point short of 2nd line)
Backlund (3 points short of 2nd line)

Then a huge drop off.

This really highlights for me the need for a second line centre... well a top line centre but I'm trying to be practical in terms of what might be doable.

[DoubleK]

Being a Tbay boy, I kinda want to pull for Matt Murray to resurrect his career.

Just not tonight.

Fill the net boys!!

[Zulu29]

Pretty excited to watch the game, feels like it’s been a long time since they’ve played! Calling a 4-2 victory tonight, go flames go!

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by NewFan

Yes, Ottawa was one of the reason we missed the playoff last year. We should be looking for revenge. And they helped Oilers to make playoffs too.
No mercy!!!

I’m glad they helped the Oilers get in the playoffs last year. It gave us that hilarious sweep, the subsequent bipolar Oiler tears, and those terrible Smitty and Nurse contracts!!

[Poe969]

And I took away their shot at another first overall.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I hope Dube starts to show something, 2nd line may be reaching atm.

Dube is the one middle six guy who struggled but hasn’t made any kind of progress at all IMO. Lucic has had a much better year, Monahan has improved his play in non-production areas, Coleman is starting to look like a threat. Dube just looks like he’s on the wrong side a lot and while he give a good effort, seems to play a less than hi IQ game (and this surprises me because I thought the opposite in junior and the WJC).

[hwy19man]

Pregame links

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/games/2367279
https://scores.nbcsports.com/nhl/pre...&home=3&vis=14
https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401349792
https://stats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl/matchup/140225
https://stats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl/preview/140225

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Dube is the one middle six guy who struggled but hasn’t made any kind of progress at all IMO. Lucic has had a much better year, Monahan has improved his play in non-production areas, Coleman is starting to look like a threat. Dube just looks like he’s on the wrong side a lot and while he give a good effort, seems to play a less than hi IQ game (and this surprises me because I thought the opposite in junior and the WJC).

Yeah I agree. I really had high hopes for him coming into the season, I expected him to take the opportunity and run with it, but he looks like a rookie out there. Still holding out hope...