[Game Takes] Stars 2 Flames 0 (Series Tied 1-1)

[Bingo]

Stars 2 Flames 0

Sorry it's late ... got caught in that traffic chaos north of the dome after the game. Brutal.

- Game two mirror image of game one
- Dallas scores in the first and that's all they needed
- Markstrom was great
- Flames out of synch and disconnected

[shutout]

Playoffs are where you determine if a player is worth paying big bucks to.
Has Gaudreau looked like a $10M player or an $8M player that is only good for the regular season?

[Erick Estrada]

Old habits die hard for this team. The players and coaches come and go but they always lose their season opener and they always lose game 2 of a playoff series so maybe we shouldn't be too surprised at what happened last night because this team seems incapable of changing how they play in these scenarios. The only thing more telegraphed than the loss was the fact that it was Pavelski that scored the game winning goal. The same guy that tilted the last Flames vs Stars series in the direction of the team in green. Sigh.

The reality is that six of the eight home teams have lost home ice advantage so the Flames aren't in a situation any more dire than most of the favorite teams. They just need to start playing their game not the Stars game as while the Flames have been able to adapt over the season to playing in low and high scoring games, playing low event hockey is going to favor the Stars over the course of a 7 game series. I think hitting the road will be good for the team so I hope they can get their legs going in Dallas.

[Gaskal]

Dallas scored their only goal on one egregiously stupid giveaway by Hanifin. Rasmus was sitting there behind the net waiting for the pass and gets stuck behind the net with Pavelski all alone in front after Noah blindly throws it up the boards instead of trusting his D partner.

Other than that, not a lot from either team. Like maybe 3 high danger chances each... same as game 1.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

"under 30% on the night; Brett Ritchie, Milan Lucic, Nikita Zadorov and Erik Gudbranson"


Makes me wonder if the big guys are focussing too much on being big/physical and chasing that aspect of their game. I didn't notice that in particular, but will watch for it now.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

"under 30% on the night; Brett Ritchie, Milan Lucic, Nikita Zadorov and Erik Gudbranson"


Makes me wonder if the big guys are focussing too much on being big/physical and chasing that aspect of their game. I didn't notice that in particular, but will watch for it now.

I don't know. I thought that d pairing would make some hits. They just haven't

[Jbo]

I get the feeling the guys are either playing nervous or so heavily focused on tight D that they have lost all offensive creativity

[Mayo]

Question: Did Tkachuk cost us a goal on that offside? Did not see the replay at the game, but it seemed like he was F'ing around trying to stir it up and didn't have the situational awareness to be onside.

[Strange Brew]

That first period was a mess. Flames fumbled the puck, couldn't complete a pass and it's reflected in the shots, scoring chances and possession numbers. They certainly got better but still not much in the way of high danger.

The first line was better this game than last. Some of that is score effect.

The way both teams are playing right now, this series is a total toss up. Few chances for either side. A Sutter coached team can win a series like that but to be honest, it's not what I was hoping for. Flames can still be better IMO.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Mayo

Question: Did Tkachuk cost us a goal on that offside? Did not see the replay at the game, but it seemed like he was F'ing around trying to stir it up and didn't have the situational awareness to be onside.

I don't think we need to make up controversy on "what if's". Johnny walked in so easily and shot it past a goalie that wasn't really trying to make a save because the play was blown dead and everyone on the ice but Johnny heard it. He likely doesn't get the shot let alone the goal if the play isn't blown dead.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Old habits die hard for this team. The players and coaches come and go but they always lose their season opener and they always lose game 2 of a playoff series so maybe we shouldn't be too surprised at what happened last night because this team seems incapable of changing how they play in these scenarios. The only thing more telegraphed than the loss was the fact that it was Pavelski that scored the game winning goal. The same guy that tilted the last Flames vs Stars series in the direction of the team in green. Sigh.

The reality is that six of the eight home teams have lost home ice advantage so the Flames aren't in a situation any more dire than most of the favorite teams. They just need to start playing their game not the Stars game as while the Flames have been able to adapt over the season to playing in low and high scoring games, playing low event hockey is going to favor the Stars over the course of a 7 game series. I think hitting the road will be good for the team so I hope they can get their legs going in Dallas.

I don't know why but while there's a lot of the usual panicking and negativity after the first two games, I'm feeling really calm. For whatever reason, this year's version of the Flames have me pretty confident.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Jbo

I get the feeling the guys are either playing nervous or so heavily focused on tight D that they have lost all offensive creativity

I get the feeling that the depth scoring needs to play a heck of a lot harder. Players like Mangiapane, Backlund, Coleman, Toffoli and Jarnkrok all need to step up and get themselves into better scoring positions.

The team didn't just lose all of it's offensive creativity the last 2 games. The only thing that has changed is that the play is way more tight and you've got to be willing to work way harder to get through it.

[D as in David]

xGF% for the bottom three lines are all 45% or lower; more has to come from those lines. Something about the Backlund line in it's current configuration just isn't working. Backlund has upped his intensity and had some opportunities last night, so that is good to see, but is lacking in finish.

[Mayo]

Originally Posted by Groot

I don't think we need to make up controversy on "what if's". Johnny walked in so easily and shot it past a goalie that wasn't really trying to make a save because the play was blown dead and everyone on the ice but Johnny heard it. He likely doesn't get the shot let alone the goal if the play isn't blown dead.

Fair enough - was tough to tell live from my vantage point. Not trying to "make up" controversy which is why it was posed as a question. I guess I should have included a trigger warning.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I don't know why but while there's a lot of the usual panicking and negativity after the first two games, I'm feeling really calm. For whatever reason, this year's version of the Flames have me pretty confident.

Can I have some of what keeps you so calm.

The sky is falling or has already fallen for me.

Until Johnny breaks through with a 3 point 5on5 effort in the playoffs and we win handily, I cannot look past how ineffective that first line looks so far.

Sutter and Markstrom are the X factors that may yet tilt things our way. But doubt has very much creeped in at least for the moment...

[White Out 403]

Need to get to the dirty areas and be willing to take a few shots to the back. I don't think Oettinger was special at all. Flames need to make him work for every inch of ice he sees. Get in his vision, bump him by 'accident' a little. Make him uncomfortable.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Mayo

Fair enough - was tough to tell live from my vantage point. Not trying to "make up" controversy which is why it was posed as a question. I guess I should have included a trigger warning.

The snark is noted. I wasn't triggered, and you posed it as a question then followed with your own answer, one that painted Tkachuk in a negative light and was quite frankly a ridiculous take.

[Macindoc]

We need to intimidate with speed, skill, and a relentless forecheck, not by going out of position to make big hits or by trying to stir up trouble. When the Flames’ forwards are skating, they are terrifying to opposing teams.

I do agree that something needs to be done with lines 2-4. Being in Ruzycka and reunite Coleman and Mangiapane with Backlund. Jarnkrok should be centering the 4th line.