[PGT] Flames beat Preds 4-3

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I still think Monahan is the best forward on the roster.

Underappreciated with the Flash of Gaudreau, but he stepped up into a go-to centre role last night and the flames won. That's hard.

Let's not argue who's the best on the team, Monahan and Gaudreau are our young version of Chicago's Toews and Kane.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Take notes Taylor Hall... This wasn't some peewee move that you try time and time again and it never works. This was beautiful.

Taylor Hall probably hasn't taken notes in his entire life. It won't start now

Burn!

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by nik-

Taylor Hall probably hasn't taken notes in his entire life. It won't start now

Burn!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Yeah, lost in the game narrative last night was just how good Monahan was. He had big shoes to fill with both Backlund and Stajan out, two centers who handle most of the defensive duties. Played well all night, played smart and ended up with both a goal and an assist. Despite the slow start he's on pace for over 20 goals and 40 points.

I'd also add that I think Granlund was getting 2nd line minutes right behind Monahan. Kudos to both of these players for stepping up, they definitely had a great game.

[AC]

@Kristin_Hallet
Grow time! Some of the guys got a head start on #Movember. Engelland's just being greedy here. @MovemberCA

[Scornfire]

I'm not sure what to think about that

[Flamescat]

I'm sorry... 11 pages of posts and no one's asked if Scorch made an appearance at the dome last night? It was halloween, it would have been perfect!

RIP Scorch. You truly burned too bright.

[Flames-FanAttic]

"They're just pretty honest up and down," Smith said. "You know what you're going to get with them, and they sure find the middle a lot. They shoot the puck a lot like we do, and it goes both ways."

http://www.tennessean.com/story/spor...riod/18306391/


I love that this is what other players around the league think about this team. I hope we continue playing just like this but continue to add skill.

[Komskies]

I think one important note about the game that seems to be getting lost here in all the Johnny talk is how good is Olli Jokinen's hair this year? He is sporting some magnificent salad right now. He's basically doing a Benjamin Button with Jagr hair:

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by stemit14

2016-2017 season:

Gaudreau-Bennett-Poirier

Please!

Exactly what I have been saying and am waiting for. I think that would be an off-the-charts line of elite speed, elite talent, a heavy helping of grit, and excellent defense.

I cannot wait. I hope they put them together, and I hope I don't have to wait for the 16/17 season (Christmas next year).

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Flamescat

I'm sorry... 11 pages of posts and no one's asked if Scorch made an appearance at the dome last night? It was halloween, it would have been perfect!

RIP Scorch. You truly burned too bright.

Scorch appeared on the Jumbo Tron in one of the commercial break contests. Part of his 'face' was obscured and the contestant had to guess who he was. The crowd helped her, but she got it.

[Enoch Root]

Monahan was fantastic last night - easily his best game of the year IMO.

And that really illustrates the kind of player that he is: given more responsibility and pressure, what does he do? He plays better. He does so many little things that allow the team - and guys like Gaudreau - to do their thing and have a chance to win.

Quiet leader.

[AC]

Monahan is already starting to look like the player many here seemed to project him to be. A consistently reliable, 2-way centre that quietly contributes offensively.

His offensive game this year so far is far less noticeable than last year, however he's easily a better hockey player. Looks like he will be a fantastic #2 centre on this team behind Bennett.

[nik-]

Kirsten Hallett is handsy

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by stemit14

It really is amazing to watch this kid. We're talking about elite level talent. If there was a definition of a human highlight reel it seems to be Johnny. That move against volchenkov was incredible for a few reasons...

1. That's a veteran shut-down/defensive defenceman that rarely gets beat one on one.

2. Johnny barely had any time/space to gain speed... He received the pass in the middle of the neutral zone and did a sharp turnaround before heading up ice. Despite this, he absolutely blew by the predators' defence.

3. It wasn't like the predators didn't have the time and position to prepare for Johnny coming up the ice. They didn't really get caught on a bad change.

4. He made that move at such a high speed while going straight at a dirty/hulking defenceman and made him look ridiculous.

5. He kept his head up the whole time.

Take notes Taylor Hall... This wasn't some peewee move that you try time and time again and it never works. This was beautiful.

That was the key to that entire play. Gaudreau didn't go in and hope to make a move work. He was reading the ice the entire way in and knew exactly where each player was, and what direction they were going.

TSN is probably happy that he didn't score on that. If he had, 1v1 would have had to be cancelled due to lack of competition.

[Caged Great]

If Monahan becomes a tall Daymond Langkow, I'm totally fine with that.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by OzSome

Flames won the game and instead of reading what CP people thought about the game you read complaints.

Anyways it was a good game and Nashville seems to be dominating the game but less shot. I was impressed about the call-ups Granlund and Ferland. These two are NHL ready for sure. I feel bad for Ferland because he was playing well tonight then had to leave because of Volchenko's elbow to Ferland's head. I hope he gets suspended for it so he'll learn. If the NHL is really trying to get rid of head injuries, players shouldn't get away with it. I can't believe he didn't get a penalty for it.

Johnnie Gaudreau : All I can say is WOW!! This kid is amazing. I missed his dipsy doodle on Volchenkov but I've seen the replay so many times. He was a firebug all night. I sure hope people that complained about the Flames being too small (after the lost) paid attention.

Gaudreau-Granlund-Hudler line on the third period was so much fun to watch. I love it when Gaudreau stole the puck from Rinne's glove and quickly pass the puck to Granlund then to Hudler for a goal. Nashville did not have the answer on that line.

To your bolded point, I am a bit surprised that more people aren't talking about the Flames' team defense actually.

There has been lots of talk about their poor possession numbers - and part of it is that they weren't playing well earlier - but I also think the possession numbers are a reflection of their style.

The Flames collapse the middle of the ice on D. They let the other team move around the outside, which results in a lot of time in their own end (exacerbated by their bad passing). However, they don't give up a whole lot of quality chances, which is what is leaving the other teams frustrated and confused after playing them.

Sometimes stats like possession numbers are tell a story, and it is only a matter of time before they catch up to you. But sometimes, they miss key elements and as a result can remain 'skewed'. And I think this is an example of that.

As a blatant and extreme example of my point, I give you the Oilers. They will probably have better possession numbers than the Flames all year, but they give up way more quality chances against. For most teams, the goals against will eventually reflect the possession time. But for the Flames and Oilers (in relation to each other), they never will because the Flames defensive zone coverage results in a lot of low quality chances, whereas the Oilers defensive zone coverage results in one open player in the slot every period.

tl;dr The Flames give up lots of possession time, but not lots of quality chances.

[FlamesAddiction]

While the deak of Gaudreau was pretty sweet, I think the shot he made for his goal deserves more attention.

To pick the corner like that from that far out and from that angle... you don't see that everyday.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I still think Monahan is the best forward on the roster.

Underappreciated with the Flash of Gaudreau, but he stepped up into a go-to centre role last night and the flames won. That's hard.

Came here to post exactly this.

Monahan looked like a seasoned NHL veteran out there last night. Made an unfortunate error on the 1st Nashville goal, but other than that I think that was one of his most complete performances of his young career.

Monahan's play is absolutely integral to this team's success. We can't forget that now that the Gaudreau Show has begun.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by AC

Monahan is already starting to look like the player many here seemed to project him to be. A consistently reliable, 2-way centre that quietly contributes offensively.

His offensive game this year so far is far less noticeable than last year, however he's easily a better hockey player. Looks like he will be a fantastic #2 centre on this team behind Bennett.

Monahan and Bennett are going to be one hell of a 1-2 in a couple of years