[PGT] Flames lose in OT: Season Over

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Well, what a bittersweet end that was to the 2021-22 season. Not going to lie, didn't see the Flames being put away in 5 by the Oilers based on their season series this year.

Honestly, I had a really bad feeling after game 2. They say you're never in trouble until you lose at home and it just felt like that was a game the Flames needed to have. Nobody was beating that Oiler team in game 3, you can't play the sport much better than they played that night.

Games 4 & 5 were pivotal and honestly, I just wasn't impressed with the team's resolve. Some guys came to play while some had one foot already out the door. Part of me believes it was the goaltending they were getting. There's just something about not getting saves that can suck the life right out of the team and they hadn't seen it in that state all season.

Another part of me believes McDavid had the team feeling equally defeated as he was just going to singlehandedly win the series for his team and there was nothing the Flames could do about it.


Whatever it ended up being, this series didn't feel that close. The Oilers deserved the series win because they wanted it more. It wasn't even just the McDrai show, I thought Hyman, RNH, Kane and even Smith had their moments in this series. The Oiler's top 6 dominated at various times in this series and team simply had no answer. In terms of overall play, I'd say the Oilers:

- Speed was overwhelming at times, especially in transition
- Out-checked the Flames which made life miserable for the Flames defense
- Out-defended the Flames well both in transition and on the cycle
- Smith's puck playing ability really helped thwart the Flames attack


In terms of why I think the Flames lost:

- Were dominated by the Oiler's top 6, it wasn't close. Backlund's line tried their best to even out the difference, but they were no match
- Out-duelled in the goaltending department. Markstrom was suppose to be a game breaker for the Flames, but gave the team zero confidence and zero belief
- Depth failed to show up, they provided very little to nothing against the Oil.
- Looking at the numbers, the top line held their own, but most of their damage came early. Ultimately they were on the ice for too many goals against and in contrast to the Oiler's top line, just looked paltry by comparison


I think in the end, it's kind of sad that the Flames' strengths actually became their weaknesses. The much talked about advantage in depth and in goal did not materialize. The Flames' checking ability was almost non existent for 80% of this series and in actuality, it was the Oiler's checking game that really punished the Flames. Very bittersweet end to an otherwise enjoyable season. In other years, this may have been a successful season, but losing to the Oilers in that fashion will haunt us though. That's sports for you, it's happiness or misery and not much in-between.

A perfect summary of what occurred. Thanks.

[JohnnyB]

Sutter's comment: "If somebody's on the ground, then you lift your foot up kick them in the head, thats a distinct kicking motion. If you slide your foot on the ground it's not a distinct kicking motion. Whatever."

The part about kicking someone in the head whose already on the ground says plenty.

The decision on that review was a distinct kicking motion on the part of the officiating.

[Tsawwassen]

That disallowed call is bull feces! I hope the officiating people at the league office have painful diarrhoea and lasts for 2 weeks and messes with the sewage system. Simply brutal.

[GS Skier]

I waved the white flag yesterday when I commented that I had zero confidence in Markstrom. I wanted to be wrong but the 4th game was the final bullet when Markstrom spotted the Oilers a 1 goal lead in 20 seconds.

Told my wife we'd win "if Markstrom stopped the first 10 shots. "

He did. Then proceeded to allow 3 in 8 shots. Seravelli said it. 14 games vs Oilers and a .864 save percentage. To be sure Toffoli and Dube were not great and its a team game.

Home developed goalies always seem to do better for teams so I put the future on Wolf our own in house drafted goalie. Markstrom can be a place holder for the next year or two.

[Kaine]

Not even mad. Was after game 3 but one had to come to terms after that.


Two mediocre teams at best, one wanted it way more than the other.


The Flames were maybe just not as good as the regular season would have us believe this year. Yes the officiating and the NHL are an absolute joke, but I firmly believe the team that wanted it more won this series. Flames looked largely but not completely disinterested all series.


Normally a lot of people say "see you all next season" but while I will always be a Flames fan, I do not know if I will be an NHL fan next season(s). The agenda's this league has make it not fun to watch hockey.


Cheers.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by dino7c

same ####ing net as 2004 and Bennett in 2015

Well said, those were both in. The league hates the Flames.

[kyuss275]

Have to say Backlund did an incredible job this series. Worst part of disallowed goal was that backlunds shot was going in anyways.

[tvp2003]

Silver lining? It’s that yesterday’s bull**** call didn’t come in a series deciding game 7, after clawing back from 3-1 down.

Sorry, that’s all I got.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Itse

I feel like people aren't grasping just how bad Markström was exactly, and how much of an uphill battle the rest of the team had here.

Markström allowed on average 1 goal in 6 shots.
Smith allowed 1 goal in 11 shots.

To win the series, the Flames would have needed on average to double the Oilers in shots, and even then this series would likely have gone to seven. The Flames are a better team, which is why the games were mostly close despite that disparity, but that goaltending difference is why we lost four straight and only won the first game because we managed to score 8 goals (plus an empty netter).

The rest doesn't really matter. The team did not have a realistic chance in this series with this goalie. Oilers had one actually good game in them throughout the whole series.

We have historically never seen goaltending stats as bad as Markstrom’s in this series because coaches always pull goalies playing that bad. That’s why teams carry a backup on the roster.

Sutter’s stubborn refusal to switch up the goaltending cost the Flames the chance to make it a series.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

We have historically never seen goaltending stats as bad as Markstrom’s in this series because coaches always pull goalies playing that bad. That’s why teams carry a backup on the roster.

Sutter’s stubborn refusal to switch up the goaltending cost the Flames the chance to make it a series.

That's part of the package when you bring in Darryl Sutter though. He rides his starter and doesn't like to play his backup goaltenders. He's also pretty stubborn so I don't think it should surprise anyone that he was going to ride or die with his starting goaltender regardless of the results. You just have to take the good with the bad and there's a lot more good than bad even if he was soundly outcoached in this series.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

We have historically never seen goaltending stats as bad as Markstrom’s in this series because coaches always pull goalies playing that bad. That’s why teams carry a backup on the roster.

Sutter’s stubborn refusal to switch up the goaltending cost the Flames the chance to make it a series.

No, terrible defence and assignments cost the flames the chance to make it a series.

Still haven’t seen this stat because I’m a newb for advanced stats, but I’d be shocked if any team this playoffs has allowed more high danger scoring opportunities than the flames did in round 2.

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

No, terrible defence and assignments cost the flames the chance to make it a series.

Still haven’t seen this stat because I’m a newb for advanced stats, but I’d be shocked if any team this playoffs has allowed more high danger scoring opportunities than the flames did in round 2.

Yeah, I mean, just go back to the game winner. Hanifin plays a muffin up to Gaudreau who... elects not to make ANY physical contact along the boards, he is magnetically repulsed by Draisaitl's puck-possession field. No one has McDavid, and Markstrom doesn't make the save (on a very good shot mind you).

Not gonna win too many games with that type of play.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Markstrom was bad. The disallowed goal was absurd.

That said, the flames were broken by the oilers. They were rattled and giving up odd man rushes all series long.

Backlund played one hell of a series.

And with all due respect to Backlund, the flames aren’t winning a series if he’s their best player.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

And with all due respect to Backlund, the flames aren’t winning a series if he’s their best player.

Especially when none of the top players showed up

Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Markstrom, Andersson and Hanifin all should be embarrassed

[Erick Estrada]

Hanafin and Anderson were the top pairing for the regular season and were pretty poor in this series. There are so many players that just didn't play well and you have to look at the coach here as I recall Peters getting heat for getting out coached against the Avalanche because he couldn't make any adjustments. Well Sutter really couldn't make any adjustments in this series either. From game one through game five the Flames continued to play a style of hockey that was a total deviation from their play in the regular season and there was no way they were going to win the series the way they played.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

No, terrible defence and assignments cost the flames the chance to make it a series.

Still haven’t seen this stat because I’m a newb for advanced stats, but I’d be shocked if any team this playoffs has allowed more high danger scoring opportunities than the flames did in round 2.

Round 2, five on five The Flames allowed 40 HDCA in five games or 233:49 (an average of 10.2 per 60 minutes)

Their own opponents allowed 50 (an average of 12.8)

The Kings allowed 16.96 HDCA/60 to the Oilers. Their goaltending allowed them to make it a seven game series

The Rangers have allowed 16.19 HDCA/60 thus far in the playoffs and are still alive. Their actual vezina calibre goaltending has been solely responsible.

The Dallas Stars allowed 15.08 HDCA/60, and everyone who watched that series said Oettinger was the difference.

Sure the above stats are only 5v5, but don't kid yourself.

Every chance the Oilers had was in the back of the net. That RNH rebound that won game 4? Oettinger, Quick, Shesterkin etc probably don't allow it to ever get to RNH. Never mind the goalie giveaway on the first goal of that game. Game 2, 4, and 5 were all games the Flames probably win with those goalies in net... suddenly you have a 4-1 Flames series win.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Round 2, five on five The Flames allowed 40 HDCA in five games or 233:49 (an average of 10.2 per 60 minutes)

Their own opponents allowed 50 (an average of 12.8)

The Kings allowed 16.96 HDCA/60 to the Oilers. Their goaltending allowed them to make it a seven game series

The Rangers have allowed 16.19 HDCA/60 thus far in the playoffs and are still alive. Their actual vezina calibre goaltending has been solely responsible.

The Dallas Stars allowed 15.08 HDCA/60, and everyone who watched that series said Oettinger was the difference.

Sure the above stats are only 5v5, but don't kid yourself.

Every chance the Oilers had was in the back of the net. That RNH rebound that won game 4? Oettinger, Quick, Shesterkin etc probably don't allow it to ever get to RNH. Never mind the goalie giveaway on the first goal of that game. Game 2, 4, and 5 were all games the Flames probably win with those goalies in net... suddenly you have a 4-1 Flames series win.

Thanks for the info…

Don’t kid myself??? Constant breakaways and odd man rushes, were you watching? More than anything Hanifin had so many missed assignments I’m wondering if he was abducted and replaced with a Lookalike.

[Scroopy Noopers]

But sure guys. It was JUST goaltending. We’re all good, team is great. Nothing to worry about but one thing. Cup next year with a new goalie!!

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Thanks for the info…

Don’t kid myself??? Constant breakaways and odd man rushes, were you watching? More than anything Hanifin had so many missed assignments I’m wondering if he was abducted and replaced with a Lookalike.

Hanifin was awful.

And yet starting goalies make saves.

Period.

Especially goalies who were top three in Vezina voting.

All the excuses for Markstrom are acting as if he was a backup thrown to the wolves.

His own Backup would probably have had a better series.

That's not to say the Flames played perfect hockey.

But Games 2, 4, and 5 were absolutely winnable.

They deserved to lose game 3 for sure though.

[btimbit]

Sad to read they lost when I woke up this morning.

Honestly, I really lost interest in the playoffs this last week, I didn't watch much of this series. The brand of hockey the league seems to want to push just isn't entertaining for me to watch, very few of the games I've watched across multiple series' have even felt like playoff games.

Still wanted that W though

edit: Oh and of course, there's a controversial no goal call, wouldn't be Calgary playoffs without it! lol