[PGT] Flyers 4, Flames 3

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by zamler

Watching the Rangers/Jets. We are so far.

Didn't they beat the Rangers last game when goaltending didn't turn into an absolute pumpkin?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yeah I was leaning to Ramo as well. But again it was never sustained because of that injury so its more of a "what could have been".

Lest we forget Reto Berra too.

Yeah Ramo gave us average at least. And a cool name.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by zamler

Watching the Rangers/Jets. We are so far.

Well we beat one of them 45 hours ago

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Though it still is kinda true. But moreso because it's been a parade of bad goalies.
Who is the best goalie since Kipper?

At times Smith, Elliott, BSD, Markstrom, Ramo and Hillier all had stretches of good play but no one sustained it.

But seriously who would we consider the best post-Kipper goalie? It's not Mike Smith. I effin hate that guy.

I guess I thought he would be going forward just not for the one year. Bad first year here, rebounded and was stellar. I thought he'd be the guy moving forward for sure. Didn't see the Oiler series and now this happening. Hell I was even willing to see the Oiler series as an awful one off considering how great he was against Dallas.

I suppose I was relieved I could say he was the best since Kipper. Which kind of makes what's unfolded even worse.

[Ferarri]

This may not be a popular opinion but I don't assign much blame to Sutter or Tre.

The GM did everything he could to salvage a terrible offseason with the departure of two star players. Most people, including myself gave him a 10/10 for the offseason acquisitions that saw a star player with nearly 120 points and a Stanley Cup champion centre joining the team. Sure, some will say that he should have waited signing Huberdeau and Weegar to extensions as they hadn't played a game but then others would have been upset that he didn't secure these players and have them under contract. This could have been a big distraction going into the season. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Coach Sutter hasn't been as good as he could be and has certainly made some questionable decisions. Is he coaching at the level that he did last year? No. Is he deserving of another Jack Adams? No. However, the structure is certainly there. Sure he wants his players to be defensively responsible and not cheat in the D zone, but he doesn't preach a lack of creativity or try to stifle offensive production. I firmly believe if you remove the coach, the results would be the same if not worse. He is after all a hall of fame candidate with multiple cups.

The biggest problem with this team is between the pipes. Below average goaltending has sunk this group. Look specifically at today, our goalie had an .818 save percentage. I don't care how good your stats are, with that type of action between the pipes you aren't going anywhere. At one point there was 4 goals on 20 shots. That is certainly not going to get the job done.

Some will say that Vladar should be the guy going forward (and I don't necessarily disagree with that) but he hasn't been elite either. His last game was a mess and his numbers this year have not been much better. Maybe he does give the team some extra mojo during his starts but I get the struggle by the head coach as you would hope at some point your 6 million dollar tender would return to number 1 status. Maybe Vladar is the key but lets not pretend that he has been elite either.

If we had average to above average goaltending this season then we would comfortably be in a playoff spot and maybe at the top of the division. I won't discredit the fact that defensively we haven't been amazing and putting the puck in the net has been a struggle but I firmly believe this team is where they are at because of the goalie situation. Chasing the game and trying to make mistake free plays because of a lack of confidence in Markstrom has a negative impact.

The GM and head coach haven't been perfect but replacing these guys for the sake of change isn't a great strategy. The results will most likely be the same until we can figure out the most important position which is goaltending. I know there is a lot of heat because of the "negative culture" that Walsh suggested. You know what changes that real fast? Stringing some wins together. This is on the players and most importantly the guys between the pipes.

[Samonadreau]

2-3-2 since the allstar break. Not exactly inspiring.

[beaster]

Cats out of the bag Go high on Markstom and the whole league knows it

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by zamler

Sutter keep starting him, clearly he knows something we don't.

Yeah Sutter needs to own it.

It's very clear Markstrom is cooked at least for this season.

He needed to go back to Vladar after a bad game.

If he truly wants to make the playoffs he can't start this guy anymore.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Yeah Sutter needs to own it.

It's very clear Markstrom is cooked at least for this season.

He needed to go back to Vladar after a bad game.

If he truly wants to make the playoffs he can't start this guy anymore.

I cant blame him for starting Markstrom tonight.

Vladar was poor in his last game, and Markstrom probably had his best game of the season against the Rangers in a win.

Starting Markstrom was the right call, you hoped he could build on that win and strong effort.

But nope, back to a pumpkin.

If anything you could argue why he wasnt pulled at 3-1.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I cant blame him for starting Markstrom tonight.

Vladar was poor in his last game, and Markstrom probably had his best game of the season against the Rangers in a win.

Starting Markstrom was the right call, you hoped he could build on that win and strong effort.

But nope, back to a pumpkin.

If anything you could argue why he wasnt pulled at 3-1.

Yeah today's start isn't the issue.

Just pointing out Markstrom has consistently sucked all season and gets the net after a bad game.

Vladar had a bad game and was back to the bench.

It's pretty evident if we want to make the playoffs we know who we have to start and it's not Markstrom.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

2-3-2 since the allstar break. Not exactly inspiring.

Unspiring

[kermitology]

This was my first in person game in probably 5 years or so. You could see the Flames get down after they missed the 2-0 and a couple of point blank chances from the Backlund line.

The Konecny goal was good, the Deslauriers goal was bad by the rest of the team, but the last two were brutal.

Tiger and I were talking in the second intermission how they’d totally tie it up and then allow a dumb game winner.

Backlund’s line was great all game, Coleman and Backlund were the only two players who showed up the whole game.

After the Flames tied it, you could just see the team tighten up and Markstrom in particular looked like he was saying to himself: “Don’t #### up, don’t #### up, don’t fu- dammit, I ####ed up!”

That was so boring for most of the game. Good to catch up with a friend though.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Would be kinda cool if the power play did something, anything positive this season. It's costing this team games. Not just because they're not scoring, but what a momentum killer it's been. Really weird. Team has enough talent to be at least middle of the pack.

[Manhattanboy]

Poor Robert is going to have a coronary on the air.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

2-3-2 since the allstar break. Not exactly inspiring.

.854 save percentage in those 7 games.

Doesn't matter how good your team is - you aren't winning many games with an .854 save percentage.

24 goals against on an xGF of 18.6. 4 of 5 losses were one goal losses.

This team just isn't built to overcome this type of goaltending, doesnt gave the firepower.

[Southside]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Would be kinda cool if the power play did something, anything positive this season. It's costing this team games. Not just because they're not scoring, but what a momentum killer it's been. Really weird. Team has enough talent to be at least middle of the pack.

Yep. 2 Flyer goals right after PP expired too.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Poor Robert is going to have a coronary on the air.

It's honestly surprising he's still alive.

[getoverit]

What’s a PP goal

[Goriders]

I’m getting to the point that I just tune in to see how they are going to lose to a team that they fully dominate.

It’s getting to the point you can almost predict the result before the game starts.

[Naitix]

Gilbert looks great, no point in another Dman