I know lots of people are saying that this winning record cannot be sustained if the flames keep getting out-shot and out-played for large portions of these games... But I look at it more that the flames have the benefit of good goaltending to start the year. The team will likely improve as the season goes on I hope and start outplaying their opponents more. Who knows, these wins that they have stolen early on may make the difference in gaining a playoff spot.
I was really impressed with the way the Flames stood up for each other in the third when the Jets were taking runs at Flame players. That to me is one of the biggest positives in a team.
Edit: Also nice to Gaudreau lead all forwards with a +4.
Last edited by Arya Stark; 10-20-2014 at 12:45 AM.
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Chicago picked Kane 1st overall in 2007. They started 4-3-0 that year.
Tampa picked Stamkos 1st overall in 2008. They started 4-3-0 that year.
Edmonton picked Hall 1st overall in 2010. They started 4-2-1.
Edmonton picked Yakupov 1st overall in 2012. They started 3-2-2.
It's still early. They probably won't out-"perform" godawful teams like Buffalo, Florida, maybe Edmonton, and Carolina (depending on injuries) though.
That's interesting to note, but I'm not saying that in reference to their start. I'm saying it because we have Hiller and Ramo between our pipes, and there are 3 or 4 bad teams out there that don't have even near that stability in net. Neither do they have the top pairing that we can dress each night and rely on to even score, while not getting scored on.
Those factors are going to separate us and keep us from surpassing those teams, or at least enough of them to snatch up either of the big two, and maybe the big three. Last year was bad results-wise, and only got us as high as 4th. It really seems less likely that we end up 29th-30th than end up 15th-16th when you take those factors, as well as the coaching and management that want to win now, into account.
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Raymond said it "We played a more puck possession game in the second"
This is the key to the Flames, we are starting to bring in more skilled players and with that we need to start holding onto the puck more often. We have to pass the puck out of the zone as opposed to blindly throwing it off the boards, and we have to stop the dump and chase. In the second period it was more tape to tape passing, less banging it off the boards.. and it looked like our game improved ten fold.
The third period was classic defend the lead on the road. They slowed the game down and forced the Jets to make tough plays to generate chances and in doing so we limited their chances.
Started rough, but a few changes to the line up to improve puck possession and we were back in it.
If we keep control of the puck we will definitely see more from Monahan, Hudler, Gaudreau and even Glencross will start to get some shots in. The dump and chase and bang it off the boards neutralizes our forwards and forces us to try and score on rushes. I loved what I saw in the second and I hope we continue it going forward!
A lot of talk about the inevitability of one of Hiller or Ramo emerging as the clear cut starter and potentially the other guy being traded but it seems to me there's plenty of tactical value in keeping up the rotation. Forces the other teams to do homework on not just one, but two solid goalies or even gives Hartley the chance to play one or the other based on which teams the flames are playing. Of course there is every chance that Ramo/Hiller could have an off night but we wont be giving any games away based on the fact we had to play a backup.
Just something that’s been stewing in my brain. Thought id share.
Wait, what, hold up a minute, I watched the first period but then had to call it a night and head to bed (long weekend driving). We were down a goal, looking pretty ropey at the end of a long road trip, Diaz was doing all he could to get the game over with early by throwing pucks to the slot every time he touched it and the Jets were pounding Hiller with shots. I wake up, check my phone and see a final 4-1 score I even checked the NHL.com in case the app was not working correctly what a turnaround, this team is never down in these early games we just keep coming, I love a victory (and a JH goal to boot).
Just a few thoughts now the win has sunk in, didn't we start off on a great pace last season, then things settled down a bit and teams realised they had to play us hard or lose, so they turned it up a notch. Not trying to be Debbie downer, just trying not to get too excited too early.
What happened to tanking for MCdavid, I thought we needed a franchse center??
I even checked the NHL.com in case the app was not working correctly 
what a turnaround, this team is never down in these early games we just keep coming, I love a victory (and a JH goal to boot).
