[GDT] Flames vs Ducks Game Four - For believers only

[FBI]

I'm mostly sad that we haven't been able to see bc-chris's knocked over pucks..

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Unless the NHL is playing game 4 with a beach ball, the flames are totally buggered.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'm confused. Can somebody explain to me where this idea came from about Bartkowski being terrible? I can't think of any glaring mistakes at any point, and he's been relatively solid in the role of a 3rd pairing d-man. Not amazing, but not costing the team goals or games that I can remember. Where is this narrative coming from? Is he just the new whipping boy?

He's still a billion times better than Wideman.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm confused. Can somebody explain to me where this idea came from about Bartkowski being terrible? I can't think of any glaring mistakes at any point, and he's been relatively solid in the role of a 3rd pairing d-man. Not amazing, but not costing the team goals or games that I can remember. Where is this narrative coming from? Is he just the new whipping boy?

He's still a billion times better than Wideman.

He's no good. Hemmed in his own end every time he's on the ice. Not playing very physical. Ducks are making him look like an AHL plug.

[sa226]

Through the first 3 games I can't say that the Ducks have looked measurably better than the Flames. With my bias the Flames have outplayed them, with the Flames being the makers of their own demise.

If the Ducks can win 3 in a row against us, why can't we win 3 in a row against them?

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm confused. Can somebody explain to me where this idea came from about Bartkowski being terrible? I can't think of any glaring mistakes at any point, and he's been relatively solid in the role of a 3rd pairing d-man. Not amazing, but not costing the team goals or games that I can remember. Where is this narrative coming from? Is he just the new whipping boy?

He's still a billion times better than Wideman.

It's another classic case of "I wish we had six top pairing d-men." Fans love blaming single players in team sports. Unfortunately 4th line forwards and 3rd line d-men take the brunt of fan's anxiety fuelled rage. They are easy targets, but a practical reality.

[Danomite]

I truly think we win tonight and the dome will be rocking, Monny will have a pair, 4-1 final

[sa226]

Originally Posted by rohara66

He's no good. Hemmed in his own end every time he's on the ice. Not playing very physical. Ducks are making him look like an AHL plug.

Disagree. He looks like a number 6 defenceman. Cooincidentally thats exactly where he's playing.

Unless you have young players making a push up the lineup, which the Flames don't have, you're going to have guys like Bart and Engelland playing in your bottom 2.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm confused. Can somebody explain to me where this idea came from about Bartkowski being terrible? I can't think of any glaring mistakes at any point, and he's been relatively solid in the role of a 3rd pairing d-man. Not amazing, but not costing the team goals or games that I can remember. Where is this narrative coming from? Is he just the new whipping boy?

He's still a billion times better than Wideman.

In 40 minutes of play, he's been on for 0 goals for and 4 against.

All this after a very unspectacular regular season. He is not NHL caliber and he is not part of the team's future. If the Flames are going to have players stink up the joint to this degree then they should at least be players that might have a future with the team.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

Calgary has been right there with the ducks for the first three games...

with the obvious exception of the goalie, (yeah, yeah, i know kinda important)...

but that said its far different than those who were saying "we don't even belong on the same ice" or "anaheim is in a different league"...

if we come out with a consistent, game long effort, like the first two periods of last game, we ought to be able to take it...

go hard at the net, throw the goalie off his game, be hard on zone exit passes and, for the love of god, don't go into a shell with 10 min left in the game if you have the lead.

Go Flames Go!

Looking at the fancy stats McCurdy's visualizations show will confirm the Flames at least keeping pace with the Ducks 5 v 5 through 3 games.

Can scroll down to look at recent games.
http://hockeyviz.com/team/CGY/1617

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

It's another classic case of "I wish we had six top pairing d-men." Fans love blaming single players in team sports. Unfortunately 4th line forwards and 3rd line d-men take the brunt of fan's anxiety fuelled rage. They are easy targets, but a practical reality.

Lots of teams 5/6 d-men add some upside to their team when they're on the ice. Bart adds the odd big body check, that is all.

[SofaProfessor]

Originally Posted by sa226

Through the first 3 games I can't say that the Ducks have looked measurably better than the Flames. With my bias the Flames have outplayed them, with the Flames being the makers of their own demise.

If the Ducks can win 3 in a row against us, why can't we win 3 in a row against them?

You're right. Flames outplayed the Ducks in games 2 and 3. They could win 3 in a row if they keep it up and Elliott pulls it together. The problem is, with losing the first 3 games, one bad bounce at this point could be a series ender. No room for mistakes and bad luck which is a rough spot to be in.

I'm excited for the game tonight, though. They will be hungry and ready to make up for the last 2 losses that should have been wins.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

In 40 minutes of play, he's been on for 0 goals for and 4 against.

All this after a very unspectacular regular season. He is not NHL caliber and he is not part of the team's future. If the Flames are going to have players stink up the joint to this degree then they should at least be players that might have a future with the team.

How many of those goals went in off a freak deflection, a bad rebound, or just a plain soft goal on Elliott? Using the argument of +/- in this series does not give enough evidence of the individual play of each player. We know that there have been goals against that just have no business going in most of the time.

I'm not convinced by anyone's arguments. Bartkowski has looked fine to me.

[midniteowl]

We have a picture of Lazar holding a puck for his first assist as a Flames, then we have a picture of Lazar holding a puck for his first goal as a Flames. Tonight, we will have a picture of Lazar holding a puck for his first wining playoff goal as a Flames!!!

[Flames89]

[Kjesse]

I picked up a Flames Budweiser Red Light Glass today. My Oilers fan relative commented, it will last a long time. I responded that if it were a San Jose glass, it would have burnt out last night.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Lots of teams 5/6 d-men add some upside to their team when they're on the ice. Bart adds the odd big body check, that is all.

Yeah, lots of teams have better 5/6 defence men, and lots of teams don't. The fact of the matter is no one in the system is good enough to replace him in his role.

I'm not going to sit here and apologize for him. Still, I am not going to complain about something which is, out of my control, and normal around the league.

[Traditional_Ale]

Why is Stajan out?

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by SofaProfessor

You're right. Flames outplayed the Ducks in games 2 and 3. They could win 3 in a row if they keep it up and Elliott pulls it together. The problem is, with losing the first 3 games, one bad bounce at this point could be a series ender. No room for mistakes and bad luck which is a rough spot to be in.

I'm excited for the game tonight, though. They will be hungry and ready to make up for the last 2 losses that should have been wins.

No more sitting on leads and they have to play 60 minutes.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Tacoman

Love putting Lazar in there but I've never seen any redeeming feature in Freddie's game. Doesn't hit much, doesn't score much, no real passion to his game or personality. I'd have kept one of Staj or Bouma in there. Certainly can't put any blame on those guys for Elliott's tank job.

Tiny sample given out little he plays, but the best FO guy on the Flames this year by a country mile.