[PGT] Flames Punk Themselves. 2-0 DAL

[Reggie Dunlop]

Only 15 games to go.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Nothing reminds me more of a Calgary spring than the budding of aspens, greening of grass, and a first round playoff exit.


I am ready to be hurt

I still think they should get through, but I'm prepared for a choke if not. But it'll feel a whole lot easier to handle if L.A. comes out of the other series..

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

If anything, long time fans should have a well-established baseline of expecting mediocrity with lowered expectations that make the games and the team's successes enjoyable while disappointment is limited.

That's why I never hopped on the Flames hype train this year, I know all too well that regular season success doesn't transfer into playoff success for this team

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

That's why I never hopped on the Flames hype train this year, I know all too well that regular season success doesn't transfer into playoff success for this team

Congratulations you win most negative fan. What a prestigious award. But if the Flames go on a good run here you can say you were "happy to be proven wrong"

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

That's why I never hopped on the Flames hype train this year, I know all too well that regular season success doesn't transfer into playoff success for this team

Yeah. Why have fun enjoying an incredibly successful season.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

That's why I never hopped on the Flames hype train this year, I know all too well that regular season success doesn't transfer into playoff success for this team

Good for you man, good for you.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Goal scoring has dried up because we're playing a team that doesn't give up anything combined with a hot goalie. These things happen. Still not worried

They gave up 4 goals to Arizona in the 3rd period on a must win….so please don’t make them out like a contender or something

[Tsawwassen]

Postgame links
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl...ay-5-1.6443351
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...cap143988.html
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/games/2447725
https://scores.nbcsports.com/nhl/rec...s=9&final=true
https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401434807

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

They gave up 4 goals to Arizona in the 3rd period on a must win….so please don’t make them out like a contender or something

Nashville did that, and it wasn’t a must win for them.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Nashville did that, and it wasn’t a must win for them.

Dallas gave up 3 to the Coyotes in the 3rd in what seemed like a very important game to avoid Colorado.

Dallas is not that good.

[Bingo]

Honest question to those that lean to the negative side (and honestly this isn't meant to be pissy).

Why?

Does it make you feel better?
How do you feel if you're wrong? Do you feel silly if the Flames win both in Dallas or do you just move on?

I've never understood the looking at hockey (life) from the worst possible outcome angle, just curious.

[dino7c]

Why even be a fan? If you can't enjoy a 50 win season because they have choked in the past why even bother?

Sounds like a terrible life

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Honest question to those that lean to the negative side (and honestly this isn't meant to be pissy).

Why?

Does it make you feel better?
How do you feel if you're wrong? Do you feel silly if the Flames win both in Dallas or do you just move on?

I've never understood the looking at hockey (life) from the worst possible outcome angle, just curious.

Particularly those that ONLY post after a loss.
That's just odd.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It’s not confirmation bias, it’s recognition that his play was limited due to more predictable entries. That plus the plays he can try off the button hook are inherently more risky, being close to the blue line.

Again, you have to take what the defense gives you. When Gaudreau sees an opening that can lead to what you call a “central entry,” then he’ll take it i.e. the disallowed breakaway goal. But when it’s simply not there, it’s not there.

And again, I would argue that the button hook is the safer play because you’re not forcing something that isn’t there. If he didn’t button hook, what’s the alternative? A wrap around attempt that goes astray where the puck goes up the middle and an odd man rush ensues? Or a shot attempt that wraps around the boards past a dman and again an odd man rush ensues? All plays have their own inherent set of risks like him falling on his button hook attempt. When you’re trying to create offense, naturally you leave yourself a little open to a counter attack.

Like I said earlier, I’m going to defer to Gaudreau on this one because he’s got the credibility of a premier offensive scorer, if he thinks it makes sense to do so, then so be it. I think anyone who saw the Wayne Gretzky play probably saw plenty of button hooks from him as well. So, if it’s a good enough move for the “Great One,” then who are we to judge?

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

The move itself is fine, but he goes to it too much in the playoffs. He doesn't carry the puck as long as usual and makes what often look like panic passes or panic button hooks to avoid contact.
His game looks predictable compared to the regular season and we've seen this in every playoffs before.

I'm not crapping on Johnny here, he's our best player and one of my all time favorites.
But it's very clear that he doesn't get as much space in the playoffs (to be expected) and has to adapt his game.
I do think he'll figure it out, but there's clearly adjustments needed and I look forward to watching him make those.

Yeah we’ll just have to agree to disagree. I just don’t see a problem with it. It’s very specific to him when he’s on the rush and doesn’t have an open man he can dish off to. So he button hooks to find an open man.

If there’s a reason it’s happening more often, it’s because of the way Dallas is tracking back. Gaudreau has some of the best lateral movement in the game and if he has the ability to cut through the middle, then he will, but Dallas has done a great job of taking the middle of the ice away defending with the layers.

Right now, Tkachuk has to get into the game a bit more. He’s been the most innocuous of the three. Outside of the scrums and hits, his puck play has been almost non existent. He’s been the key the entire season in helping Gaudreau unlock his full potential because he creates a lot of time and space for Gaudreau, so if Tkachuk can get his head into the game instead of playing up the ultra pest shtick, then this line will figure it out.

[chedder]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Honest question to those that lean to the negative side (and honestly this isn't meant to be pissy).

Why?

Does it make you feel better?
How do you feel if you're wrong? Do you feel silly if the Flames win both in Dallas or do you just move on?

I've never understood the looking at hockey (life) from the worst possible outcome angle, just curious.

I can only speak for me. I don't think I'm negative just critical and gun shy due to past experience. I've been a season ticket holder for 17 years and playoffs have been such a small part of that experience that it's hard to get too excited. And that includes being super excited about the great results in the regular season. The team really needs to show fans they can take this next step. I think if we get past Dallas my excitement level will increase exponentially

And don't get me wrong, I was loud and excited at the first two home games. Maybe some of us come here to vent.

In my mind this playoffs is make or break in deciding whether to re-sign key players or start the rebuild.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Yeah we’ll just have to agree to disagree. I just don’t see a problem with it. It’s very specific to him when he’s on the rush and doesn’t have an open man he can dish off to. So he button hooks to find an open man.

If there’s a reason it’s happening more often, it’s because of the way Dallas is tracking back. Gaudreau has some of the best lateral movement in the game and if he has the ability to cut through the middle, then he will, but Dallas has done a great job of taking the middle of the ice away defending with the layers.

I don't thunk we're even disagreeing that much.
You're getting caught up on the button hook but my post was just about him losing his normal options and reverting to something like that because he has to. I have no problem with the move itself as an option in his arsenal.

You've identified the exact same thing in this bolded part so not sure what's the argument.
It shouldn't be controversial to say the defence is tighter in the playoffs and he needs to do things differently.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Again, you have to take what the defense gives you. When Gaudreau sees an opening that can lead to what you call a “central entry,” then he’ll take it i.e. the disallowed breakaway goal. But when it’s simply not there, it’s not there.

And again, I would argue that the button hook is the safer play because you’re not forcing something that isn’t there. If he didn’t button hook, what’s the alternative? A wrap around attempt that goes astray where the puck goes up the middle and an odd man rush ensues? Or a shot attempt that wraps around the boards past a dman and again an odd man rush ensues? All plays have their own inherent set of risks like him falling on his button hook attempt. When you’re trying to create offense, naturally you leave yourself a little open to a counter attack.

Like I said earlier, I’m going to defer to Gaudreau on this one because he’s got the credibility of a premier offensive scorer, if he thinks it makes sense to do so, then so be it. I think anyone who saw the Wayne Gretzky play probably saw plenty of button hooks from him as well. So, if it’s a good enough move for the “Great One,” then who are we to judge?

The game is different that when Gretzky played - he had a lot more room. As for what’s the alternative? No getting into that spot would be the glib answer. Gaudreau was attacking through the middle a lot more this season, but that’s gone away. Or just a chip and chase or even a dump. Those are safer plays than a blue line pass. The puck keeps moving forward.

I agree you take what the D gives you. That’s the point. Dallas is successfully funnelling Gaudreau. That’s not a good sign. I suspect they will counter it though.

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Honest question to those that lean to the negative side (and honestly this isn't meant to be pissy).

Why?

Does it make you feel better?
How do you feel if you're wrong? Do you feel silly if the Flames win both in Dallas or do you just move on?

I've never understood the looking at hockey (life) from the worst possible outcome angle, just curious.

For me it’s more about my mental health. In the past I would go “all in” emotionally, and the round one upsets were devastating. I think the 2006 game seven loss to the Ducks was the final straw. They were so flat and lifeless in that loss I had to ask myself why should I care more than they appeared to. If they make it past Dallas, I’ll feel a bit safer getting my hopes up.

Fool me 20 times, shame on you, fool me 21 times, shame on me, kind of deal.

I don’t usually post in game threads, just read along to see what others are feeling about the game. I never read post game threads after a loss, as they sure are negative.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by chedder

I can only speak for me. I don't think I'm negative just critical and gun shy due to past experience. I've been a season ticket holder for 17 years and playoffs have been such a small part of that experience that it's hard to get too excited. And that includes being super excited about the great results in the regular season. The team really needs to show fans they can take this next step. I think if we get past Dallas my excitement level will increase exponentially

And don't get me wrong, I was loud and excited at the first two home games. Maybe some of us come here to vent.

In my mind this playoffs is make or break in deciding whether to re-sign key players or start the rebuild.

I understand gun shy. 5 on 5 offense has been this clubs issue in the playoffs for quite some time now and you need to look no further than the career numbers of the top players.

I’m staying optimistic though. They need some confidence and it’s going to take grinding out a series win any way they can IMO.