[Game Takes] Flames 4 Jackets 3 (OT)

[Bingo]

Flames 4 Jackets 3 (OT)

- Mangiapane with a three point night
- Dillon Dube with the OT game winner
- Gaudreau with two assists in the loss

[D as in David]

The Backlund line has been the best line for quite a few games now. Correspondingly, Sutter out them out there for the o-zone face-off when the BJ's had been out for 2 minutes. Unfortunately, they couldn't win the face-off or take advantage of it.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Wondering how Ruzicka gets back into the lineup. It seems like it could take some time barring injury. In my opinion, Duehr has been very good with Lewis and Pelletier has looked dangerous in his limited ice. Interesting dynamic.

Gaudreau gave you everything you'd expect after watching him for 9 years didn't he? His pass to Laine was sublime. So was his attempted sit down on Hanifins stick to draw a penalty in OT. Not a good play there on his part.

Thought his reaction to the video tribute was very genuine. He clearly does value the time he spent in Calgary.

[SaskyFlamesFan]

Thanks Bingo, as far as who misses I think the two wild cards come down to LA,
Minnesota and Calgary. The Flames play Minnesota twice early March and LA twice late March. It should be a fun month.

[Knut]

I don’t think people realize how important this game was to Johnny. I wouldn’t doubt that he had 10k on the board for the team to get a victory here. Columbus played better than their record suggested.

I have seen a lot of overreaction to it going to OT.

[Erick Estrada]

Korpisalo was the reason this game went to OT. He made some big saves to keep the game closer than it should have been.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Korpisalo was the reason this game went to OT. He made some big saves to keep the game closer than it should have been.

Yeah, game should have been 4-0 after the first. Columbus didn't begin to even fight back until the second, especially on that gift Lewis penalty.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Noticed in both Lucic fights that once he hurt the other guy, he essentially stopped throwing punches, which is probably the best way to do these fights if you absolutely must fight.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Korpisalo was the reason this game went to OT. He made some big saves to keep the game closer than it should have been.

The problem is we hear this for most close games with the Flames. We've played a lot of goalies who are the reason the Flames lost this year. Our top 2 lines each need a new winger, that's a bigger part of the problem.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

The problem is we hear this for most close games with the Flames. We've played a lot of goalies who are the reason the Flames lost this year. Our top 2 lines each need a new winger, that's a bigger part of the problem.

Dube - Lindholm - Tofolli are all top 6 guys. We just need a replacement for Lucic. Hoping Pelletier keeps playing well and gets a shot there.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, game should have been 4-0 after the first. Columbus didn't begin to even fight back until the second, especially on that gift Lewis penalty.

And a big reason they got 2 PP goals was the absence of Tanev

[DoubleK]

I still can't believe the refs didn't call a penalty on the play that ended in the OT winner.

Those guys were all kinds of awful last night. I hope they got an earful after the game.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Dube - Lindholm - Tofolli are all top 6 guys. We just need a replacement for Lucic. Hoping Pelletier keeps playing well and gets a shot there.

Yeah Dube is a really good winger this year and think he probably hasn't been properly appreciated.

Actually as a whole 5v5 production has been good for our top forwards - it's the PP production that is deflating our players stats:

Lindholm: 22 (NHL Rank: T-67)
Kadri: 22 (T-67)
Mangiapane: 21 (T-79)
Backlund: 21 (T-79)
Dube: 21 (T-79)
Toffoli: 19 (T-102)
Coleman: 17 (T-130)
Huberdeau: 17 (T-130, you'd like to see him in the top 10 like he was 2019-2022)

Considering there are 96 first line forwards in the NHL - we actually have 5 guys producing at that mark at 5v5 right now - and all three of our top 9 centers which is even more impressive. 3 centers all above 20 5v5 points.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah Dube is a really good winger this year and think he probably hasn't been properly appreciated.

Actually as a whole 5v5 production has been good for our top forwards - it's the PP production that is deflating our players stats:

Lindholm: 22 (NHL Rank: T-67)
Kadri: 22 (T-67)
Mangiapane: 21 (T-79)
Backlund: 21 (T-79)
Dube: 21 (T-79)
Toffoli: 19 (T-102)
Coleman: 17 (T-130)
Huberdeau: 17 (T-130, you'd like to see him in the top 20 like past years)

Considering there are 96 first line forwards in the NHL - we actually have 5 guys producing at that mark at 5v5 right now - and all three of our top 9 centers which is even more impressive. 3 centers all above 20 5v5 points.

This really makes the idea of acquiring a top tier player to play with Kadri and Huberdeau an enticing opportunity.

If we can kick start our PP and Huberdeau's even strength production the team becomes quite dangerous.

Until he ends up elsewhere, I will dream of Timo Meier.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Dube - Lindholm - Tofolli are all top 6 guys. We just need a replacement for Lucic. Hoping Pelletier keeps playing well and gets a shot there.

I like Dube this year, and I like how he plays, but I don't see him as a top line player yet. He looks like he could be a second line guy if he can keep this going.

In the last 10 games he has 4 goals, one was an empty net. So essentially 3 goals in his last 10, which is good.

He has one assist in his last 10, playing with two guys who have 8 & 9 points in their last 10. He's taken a step this year, he looks better, but he's not a top line player.

Someone mentioned putting him with Huberdeau, and I would be interested to see that since he looks just like Bennett out there.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah Dube is a really good winger this year and think he probably hasn't been properly appreciated.

Actually as a whole 5v5 production has been good for our top forwards - it's the PP production that is deflating our players stats:

Lindholm: 22 (NHL Rank: T-67)
Kadri: 22 (T-67)
Mangiapane: 21 (T-79)
Backlund: 21 (T-79)
Dube: 21 (T-79)
Toffoli: 19 (T-102)
Coleman: 17 (T-130)
Huberdeau: 17 (T-130, you'd like to see him in the top 20 like past years)

Considering there are 96 first line forwards in the NHL - we actually have 5 guys producing at that mark at 5v5 right now - and all three of our top 9 centers which is even more impressive. 3 centers all above 20 5v5 points.

This tells 2 stories. Flames are deep, especially at center, but lack elite offensive players. Something I think we all expected Huberdeau to bring as you mentioned as well.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

This really makes the idea of acquiring a top tier player to play with Kadri and Huberdeau an enticing opportunity.

If we can kick start our PP and Huberdeau's even strength production the team becomes quite dangerous.

Until he ends up elsewhere, I will dream of Timo Meier.

Yeah - I really want to see Dube with Huberdeau but right now I wouldn't mess with it.

Dube-Lindholm-Toffoli has worked.
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman should never be split up.

So now it's just what piece do you need to add to Kadri-Huberdeau to make that line really click.

Personally I wouldn't mind all of Ruzicka, Pelletier, and Phillips getting a look before the trade deadline.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah - I really want to see Dube with Huberdeau but right now I wouldn't mess with it.

Dube-Lindholm-Toffoli has worked.
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman should never be split up.

So now it's just what piece do you need to add to Kadri-Huberdeau to make that line really click.

Personally I wouldn't mind all of Ruzicka, Pelletier, and Phillips getting a look before the trade deadline.

Only 14 games left between now and the Trade Deadline.

If you take Brad's approach of getting out in front of the deadline, could only be 10 or so games left before the Flames make a move (if they're making a move). Winning these last two games before the break (CHI and SEA) could be pretty significant when it comes to any planning in relationship to what comes down the pipe.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

I still can't believe the refs didn't call a penalty on the play that ended in the OT winner.

Those guys were all kinds of awful last night. I hope they got an earful after the game.

a penalty on Gaudreau for diving or holding the stick? Or are you shocked the ref didn't fall for it which seems reasonable given how the game went.

It's actually criminal the Blue Jackets were only called on a single infraction that game...especially zero in the first period. Huberdeau basically got a penalty for not diving when he was interfered with.

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by dino7c

a penalty on Gaudreau for diving or holding the stick? Or are you shocked the ref didn't fall for it which seems reasonable given how the game went.

It's actually criminal the Blue Jackets were only called on a single infraction that game...especially zero in the first period. Huberdeau basically got a penalty for not diving when he was interfered with.

Out of thanks, and I have to agree with this, especially the Huberdeau infraction (mugging) that wasn't called.