[PGT] Flames fall apart, lose 4-3 to Ducks

[Toonage]

One request for Tuesday. Start Elliott. He hasn't had a chance to break the curse in Anaheim yet so may as well throw your best goalie at the problem. Give Johnson the last two starts if resting Elliott is a concern.

[Ruttiger]

I'm curious - for all the noise about "2nd half of back to backs" and "easy two points" being thrown Edmonton's way, why is Calgary not able to take advantage in a similar way now?

[Jbo]

Not sure why everyone thinks Nashville will go 3-0...Islanders, Stars and Winnipeg. One team playing for playoff life and two teams that will be playing loose hockey. Could be deceiving. I could see them going 1-2

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

I'm curious - for all the noise about "2nd half of back to backs" and "easy two points" being thrown Edmonton's way, why is Calgary not able to take advantage in a similar way now?

Haha. Passive aggressive much?

I also can't explain why the flames haven't gone undefeated when they play teams on the 2nd half of back to backs. One of the universe's great mysteries I gues.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

I'm curious - for all the noise about "2nd half of back to backs" and "easy two points" being thrown Edmonton's way, why is Calgary not able to take advantage in a similar way now?

One of the rare oiler fans around here I can somewhat stomach. Don't start being an annoying, passive aggressive dooshbag.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

I'm curious - for all the noise about "2nd half of back to backs" and "easy two points" being thrown Edmonton's way, why is Calgary not able to take advantage in a similar way now?

Are you coming here for some validation from Flames fans? Someone is feeling insecure today

[BigFlameDog]

IMO the sloppiness in the last 3-5 games is all about the turnovers and the resulting increase in D-zone time. For forwards I have found Versteeg and Johnny to be noticeable in giving the puck away between the hash and the blue line on the breakouts but all the wingers have pitched in on that, part of that is a bit on the centers with some early zone escape cheating.

All the D have done it and again some of that is the centers breaking away a little early....looking for glory lol.

Tighten that back up and a they are going to be just fine...again my opinion based on watching the games. They need a reset, protect the puck better from the Goal line out, things they were doing for the most part during the streak. Thank god for Elliott during this little stretch or they would still be looking to clinch.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Haha. Passive aggressive much?

What do you mean? He's just curious. Right Ruttiger? Just curious...

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

I'm curious - for all the noise about "2nd half of back to backs" and "easy two points" being thrown Edmonton's way, why is Calgary not able to take advantage in a similar way now?

Because the Flames played poorly when provided the opportunity to play tired teams? What else do you think it could be?

[Loudog]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Did not like Kris Versteeg at the end. Yeah, I get he scored two goals and wanted the hat trick.

Stayed out for a 2:02 shift at the end of the game. When the puck came out and everybody changed he stayed along the boards at the blueline. As the shift goes on he was exausted and could barely move. Because of it makes a bad pass to Gio that crosses the blueline.

Annoying.

Have to say that I was super surprised when he didn't step onto the ice for the first star last night. Is that a thing? I don't know if I've ever seen that before... a home player not stepping out for his skate after being a star.

Just added to how weird of a game it was for Versteeg, two big goals but pretty dejected overall.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Just curious but what's your opinion? Things are going great? Team is peaking at the right time? The fact is the team went 1-2 against the three California teams in succession last week playing the 2nd half of back to backs against the Oilers who went 3-0 against those teams in the front half. If the Flames don't go 2-1 in California against those same teams they will head into the playoffs playing below .500 hockey since the winning streak snapped. It may sound negative to some but it's also the reality.

My thoughts:

- There are ups and downs to every season
- The Flames (regardless of what happens in Cali) will be heading into the playoffs as one of the best teams in the league since the All Star Break - a statistically meaningful and overall impactful amount of time.
- The Flames schedule down the stretch here has been a tough one, so I'm less concerned about them having a stellar record since the streak came to an end.
- I'm actually very happy that the end of the big win streak didn't equal a tail spin in the other direction, that to me was most important. And I'm also glad the Flames win streak came to an end with ample time left in the seasons, so they don't have to deal with coping with their first loss in a while in or just before playoffs.
- I'm more concerned with how they are playing vs. record recently, and I actually think they played better than 1-2 on their last 3 game road trip.
- I was happy with the response post LA game when they came out to beat the Sharks to clinch. Started sloppy, but cleaned it up, and got a big win.
- The last two loses........they got distracted vs. LA (good learning for them), but I do like that they stood up for themselves. Last night, not a good outing, but I'll forgive a little let down after a clinch game.
- Elliott continues to play well, I think that is key.

In the end, I think the Flames are very legitimately a good team, you don't play this well for 30 games and not be, so I'm not going to let any mini winning or losing streaks that occur down the stretch with a tough schedule and especially post clinching get me too high or low. I also think, that although we are in sniffing distance now, for the Flames to really have been able to come all the way back to actually win the division or get home ice would have been a pipe dream, so I'm not going to get too caught up in them falling back of the Oil or Ducks to much, we started way to far back.

End of the day, the Flames are a good team now, and they will have a chance against anyone one we play in the first round. But the truth is, anyone we play will also be a good team, and the difference between a win and a loss will be razor thin. The team has proven they are good, I'm not going to micro analyse every win and loss from here on out to try and figure anything else out about this team, we know what they are capable of, last night or anything that happens (other than maybe injuries) over the next 3 games will change that.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Haha. Passive aggressive much?

I also can't explain why the flames haven't gone undefeated when they play teams on the 2nd half of back to backs. One of the universe's great mysteries I gues.

It's like all the attention paid to home ice advantage. it doesn't mean much if you come out flat and lose the first game. Sometimes they forget to tell teams going into back-to-backs that they're supposed to be tired and lose.

[GioforPM]

I thought the Ducks played very well. Their power play was really good, Getzlaf looked like he used to, Perry was the usual pain, Bernier played well. I thought the Flames didn't play their best - passes weren't crips, they were a little flat footed at times, the top line wasn't that dangerous. And still they were within a couple minutes and a terrible play of being tied over 60 minutes.

I say that's kind of a good thing.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Well, better now than in the playoffs if the Flames are matching up against the Ducks.

At least it gives the Flames time to figure out how to beat them. Game last night, and then another tomorrow. Hopefully Gulutzan can make some changes - system, roster, line-matching, etc. - and play them more effectively.

I thought they rag-dolled the Flames physically again. Looked evenly matched, and then suddenly the game became more physical and it just seemed that Anaheim held the advantage there.

Flames did good things, and some terrible things.

Bartkowski had a 'good game' but then had two pretty terrible mistakes. Before he even did it, I knew if he tried to ring the puck around the boards it would get intercepted. That was on him - loads of time to clear the zone there and set out a proper exit. Maybe on TV, I couldn't see the entire ice, so not sure what options were available, but I can't believe that was the best option there, especially given the time he had to set it up.

On the last goal, as a defencemen, you can't turn the puck over there. The goal was not 100% his fault - but as a defencemen you just can't turn the puck over. It was a good job hustling back, but I felt he should have switched. Engelland was trying to play the pass, and I thought Bartkowski should have taken the other guy on the way back. Not going to fault him too much there though - it was a hell of a job getting back.

Johnny was terrible defensively this game, but the Ducks also had him off his game. They had their way with him. I think the Flames should go after Kesler more aggressively - he is good at getting guys off their game, but I also think he is easily knocked off his own game, and the Flames haven't done a thing this season to do just that. Focus on Kesler and Getzlaf, forecheck their D really hard, and I think you end up limiting their effectiveness and causing more turnovers.

Tough task though - Anaheim just has a lot more grit. Flames have tonnes more pushback in that department than even last year, and are a heck of a lot bigger themselves, but Anaheim is in a different league in that department, and it showed. Flames just have to out-skate Anaheim and force turnovers, and then transition fast - that is how I think you are going to beat Anaheim. You aren't going to come close to beating them if you battle along the boards and in the corners - that is what Anaheim wants.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

I am just not buying this back to back thing as the huge advantage that it's made out to be.

Players today are highly conditioned athletes. They can handle playing on back to back nights with little travel in between. They have been doing it since their Junior hockey days, so this notion that a team who played last night is going to be tired and is at a massive disadvantage today is just false. Does it play a part? Sure, but to a minimal degree.

If it were really and truly this great disadvantage to do so where a team should never win, the league wouldn't allow it.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Just curious but what's your opinion? Things are going great? Team is peaking at the right time? The fact is the team went 1-2 against the three California teams in succession last week playing the 2nd half of back to backs against the Oilers who went 3-0 against those teams in the front half. If the Flames don't go 2-1 in California against those same teams they will head into the playoffs playing below .500 hockey since the winning streak snapped. It may sound negative to some but it's also the reality.

I mean, why bother showing up next week then. if they're playing below .500 over the course of a couple weeks, pfftt.....losers. they should just give their spot to the Jets who have won 4 in a row at the "right time".

[MissTeeks]

So like, should I still buy my playoff tickets or have you guys decided we are doomed for failure so I shouldn't bother?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Jbo

Not sure why everyone thinks Nashville will go 3-0...Islanders, Stars and Winnipeg. One team playing for playoff life and two teams that will be playing loose hockey. Could be deceiving. I could see them going 1-2

same people who thought the Kings would surely run the table

Flames are playing 2 teams that are under .500 in their last 10

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

So like, should I still buy my playoff tickets or have you guys decided we are doomed for failure so I shouldn't bother?

I doubt the odds will be very good for us to advance against the Ducks or Hawks but Flames playoff hockey is the greatest thing ever.

[dino7c]

Flames kinda beat themselves last night...still could have gone either way

The Ducks are ahead of Calgary on loser points, its not some massive mismatch IMO