[PGT] Flames lose 6th straight. NJD 3 - CGY 2

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Muta

You do you bud! Mine is 21.

Joke posters are jokes. GG

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Vladar has been worse, and in the unlikely event he was better, we haven’t exactly excelled in OT this week.

When going through difficult stretches like this, it's important to sqeak out as many points as possible. A point tonight would have been huge.

I'm not saying Vladar is better than Markstrom. I'm just saying our goaltending situation is not so great right now.

[dino7c]

If Vladar wants more starts he needs to step up in Boston

Flames strength of opponent is really something else right now

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Joke posters are jokes. GG

You rang?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

You rang?

Sadly, I wasn't referring to you this time.

Big win for the 'nucks tho!!!

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Welp. Called the score, just got the teams mixed up. Something has gotta give, this team can’t be this bad.

After so many years of disappointing seasons and/or playoff failures, maybe it's time to admit that maybe they are this bad

[dino7c]

team isn't bad they have major injuries and poor goaltending

that will kill any team

[Goriders]

They need to find a way to score more goals. They need to play perfect to win 3-2.

No game breaker to outscore their mistakes.

Effort is definitely there.

[dino7c]

maybe but .800s goaltending is the biggest issue

even with current scoring they would have 3-4 more wins with average goaltending

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Well that wasn't my argument. He can be better. I think he will be.

More so than Markstrom being terribly average and the opposite of clutch, the biggest thing i've noticed, is how much both the D and forwards turn the puck over in the worst spots. In game, the buddies I exchange msgs with, its been a consistent discussion point and at this point its extremely alarming that its happening game after game and not just a bad stretch of a couple. At the same time, I recognize that this can lead to some quality chances against and Markstrom has made some big saves, but after the game when despite the bad stretch of 10 minutes or a full period that usually plagues the team, you out chance and out shoot the other team and your goalie consistently is the 2nd best on the ice, gives up a questionable one or a back breaker, people are going to be all over him.

I potentially maybe think to highly of him and need to lower my expectations. Hopefully I'm wrong and its just a bad stretch of what 24 games? (including last years playoffs), but he's been the 2nd best goalie 95% of the time, despite the team being the better squad over the course of the 60 minutes in front of him. He makes some big saves no doubt, I just wish the habitual soft and/or back breaker thats consistently happening over the course of the last 25 games, would stop.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by dino7c

maybe but .800s goaltending is the biggest issue

even with current scoring they would have 3-4 more wins with average goaltending

Its super refreshing to hear you say this lol. I know you are a big Markstrom guy too.

[N-E-B]

I’ve really tempered my expectations. Elite teams do not lose 6 in a row. They lose maybe 2 or 3 and then turn it back around.

I still think this is a playoff team, but I highly doubt we’ll be able to compete with Vegas this year.

I’m guessing 3rd place in the division is a realistic expectation.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I’ve really tempered my expectations. Elite teams do not lose 6 in a row. They lose maybe 2 or 3 and then turn it back around.

I still think this is a playoff team, but I highly doubt we’ll be able to compete with Vegas this year.

I’m guessing 3rd place in the division is a realistic expectation.

Not to be a smart ass, but the Flames in 1986 lost 11 in a row. Then went on to upset the Oilers and roll to the Stanley Cup finals.

This team hasn't been great over the losing streak, but its not like its been terriblle or overwhelmed.

We haven't seen a major blow out yet that is always a good thing because then you can't use the bounces are going against us, excuse.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Not to be a smart ass, but the Flames in 1986 lost 11 in a row. Then went on to upset the Oilers and roll to the Stanley Cup finals.

This team hasn't been great over the losing streak, but its not like its been terriblle or overwhelmed.

We haven't seen a major blow out yet that is always a good thing because then you can't use the bounces are going against us, excuse.

But it's also worth noting -- as has been pointed out already -- that more than three-quarters of the league made the playoffs back then. Not so anymore.

[agulati]

A 6 game losing streak is awful but A few things that do make me pause.
1. The overhaul the team has faced over the off-season is massive. It takes time for any new addition to gel. The fact that three of our new “core” have only been part of the roster for 12 games is definitely a factor in their performance so far.

2. The defense has taken a hit over the last couple of games with Tanev missing. This was a factor that impacted our game play in the playoffs too. It isnt a great thing that one dman can make such a huge difference. On top of that missing Kylington and Stone (who wasn’t even supposed to be in our top 6 this year) plays a factor as well.

3. The team has had multiple leads in this streak only blow the leads away. They have generally outshot and out chanced the opposition (with the exception of the Preds game) and have suffered due to specific defensive gaffes by the players or goaltending (embarrassing mistakes, mind you)

[agulati]

I also liked what Ruzicka brought to the table yesterday. Hopefully he gets some confidence out of his play last night and builds on it.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by dino7c

If Vladar wants more starts he needs to step up in Boston

Flames strength of opponent is really something else right now

Also have the easiest schedule in the league from today to the end of the season so things are looking up.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CGY12

More so than Markstrom being terribly average and the opposite of clutch, the biggest thing i've noticed, is how much both the D and forwards turn the puck over in the worst spots. In game, the buddies I exchange msgs with, its been a consistent discussion point and at this point its extremely alarming that its happening game after game and not just a bad stretch of a couple. At the same time, I recognize that this can lead to some quality chances against and Markstrom has made some big saves, but after the game when despite the bad stretch of 10 minutes or a full period that usually plagues the team, you out chance and out shoot the other team and your goalie consistently is the 2nd best on the ice, gives up a questionable one or a back breaker, people are going to be all over him.

I potentially maybe think to highly of him and need to lower my expectations. Hopefully I'm wrong and its just a bad stretch of what 24 games? (including last years playoffs), but he's been the 2nd best goalie 95% of the time, despite the team being the better squad over the course of the 60 minutes in front of him. He makes some big saves no doubt, I just wish the habitual soft and/or back breaker thats consistently happening over the course of the last 25 games, would stop.

This is a huge problem, and IMO, is a function of the fact that they have reverted to playing slowly. What I mean by that is that they don't stretch the defense out enough, they move up the ice slowly, as a 5-man unit, circling back when there isn't a clear opening.

This allows the defense to set up and be ready for them. So if they make a bad pass, or fumble the puck, there is someone waiting to take advantage.

Last year they played faster because they stretched the defense and pushed the zones. And if you watch the teams that have looked fast against us this year - BUF, NJD, SEA - that is what all of them have been doing really well.

Gulutzan had then turning back, passing D to D, 'setting up the rush', and they looked incredibly slow as a result.

Last year they pushed forward, hit the lead man, and put pressure on the D. But this year, they have reverted back to the 5-man, zone to zone, play. I have no idea why. But I know this: I hate it, and it just doesn't work in the NHL any more

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

But it's also worth noting -- as has been pointed out already -- that more than three-quarters of the league made the playoffs back then. Not so anymore.

Sure. But do you think the Flames are going to miss the playoffs? Because if not, your point is completely irrelevant.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Sure. But do you think the Flames are going to miss the playoffs? Because if not, your point is completely irrelevant.

On paper they're too good to miss. But looking at the recent sample size, the paper is only worth one thing: wiping my *redacted*