[PGT] Flames barbecue the Wings 6-4

[KipperFaNaTic]

My hot takes:

-Is the secondary scoring finally coming? Ryan, Neal, and Bennett are all heating up!
-Ryan's best game hands down for me. Unbelievable passes to Gio and Bennet and made a great move shorthanded to draw a penalty!
-Bennett with a sick finish for the game winner. And to add insult to injury, slammed his butt in Howard's face.
-Smith played well. Great save in the end to preserve the lead and what a confident play to chip the puck to Tkachuk leading to the eventual empty netter by Brodie.
-This team isn't playing it's best by a long shot (and they know it) but are still winning. Their structure and skill allows them to.
-I'm getting that 2015 feeling where the Flames always have the belief that they can come back.
Now let's get that first win in Rogers place!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Except that he doesn’t
He’s given up terrible goals at important moments

Yup. I’m not sure how anyone can be defending this guy anymore. The fact we won tonight is a testament to how good this team is. We played bad for sure, but each and every time we battle back Smith let us right back down. Could we continue with him as a backup? Probably, but if Rittich got hurt our season is done. Smith is not an NHL goaltender anymore. He will not play in this league again after this season. Having him as our insurance policy doesn’t sit well with me.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by the2bears

Though the Flames won both once, and that was of course the cup year. Would be a good omen.

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Fuhr was never as intense as Smith

Pretty sure that was the coke ...

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Pretty sure that was the coke ...

I laughed at this more than I probably should have

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Yup. I’m not sure how anyone can be defending this guy anymore. The fact we won tonight is a testament to how good this team is. We played bad for sure, but each and every time we battle back Smith let us right back down. Could we continue with him as a backup? Probably, but if Rittich got hurt our season is done. Smith is not an NHL goaltender anymore. He will not play on his league again after this season. Having him as our insurance policy doesn’t sit will with me.

exactly how I feel...sure the Flames defended poor but your goalie should never be sideways on his knees 3 feet outside the post.

[TBone290]

Originally Posted by zamler

NSFW!

But Gillette, be a better man

[Spinach]

Originally Posted by TheOnlyBilko

Mike Smith has the same amount of assists as William Nylander this year. Both have 2. Nylander has 3 points though and has played 5 games less lol

This might be the funniest NHL-related fact I've read in years. Way to go Smitty and the senior junior Nylander!

[minnow]

Originally Posted by Beninho

I don’t think I’ve loved a team as much as I’ve loved this flames team, regardless of sport. I was 8 in 2004 so this winning thing is very new to me and let me just say I ####ing love it!!

Yep, that 2004 feeling is in the air, and it is a thing of beauty.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

I don't know...this was very much an 80's game, lot's of back and forth, both goalies made big saves. Those goalies back then just weren't that good compared to now, so it is hard to compare.

I think it would be really difficult for an 80's team to score if they were to travel in time to now. Not only are the players way bigger and faster with far greater endurance, but the goalies can make unreal saves and are so agile.

I couldn't stand Fuhr as an Oiler, and I never accepted him as a Flame. It is what it is.

But if you put today's goalies in 1980's equipment, it would even out.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Yup. I’m not sure how anyone can be defending this guy anymore. The fact we won tonight is a testament to how good this team is. We played bad for sure, but each and every time we battle back Smith let us right back down. Could we continue with him as a backup? Probably, but if Rittich got hurt our season is done. Smith is not an NHL goaltender anymore. He will not play in this league again after this season. Having him as our insurance policy doesn’t sit well with me.

It's far from ideal having Smith as the backup. I doubt there are few that question this. He lets in 1 or 2 softies a game (at least it seems that way).

But, what's going to happen? It seems less and less likely he'll be replaced. We know what we have, does it make any sense to bitch about *every* single goal scored against the Flames?

Is there anyone *really* "defending this guy"? Or do you have some people simply tired of the barrage of negativity on every goal. Goal is tipped by Gio three feet in front... "Smith let us right back down".

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by minnow

Yep, that 2004 feeling is in the air, and it is a thing of beauty.

No, in 2004 it was all a pleasant surprise, every round won was like playing with house money. This year is different. I expect us to make noise in the playoffs.

[chummer]

That 4 on 4 shift by Gaudreau was one of his worst this season.
A foot off side, gets the puck over the blue line then shoots it over the glass.

It was so bad it was comical. He still wins the Hart.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by chummer

That 4 on 4 shift by Gaudreau was one of his worst this season.
A foot off side, gets the puck over the blue line then shoots it over the glass.

It was so bad it was comical. He still wins the Hart.

Johnny had a pretty bad game (by his standards) overall, but he still made a great setup for Mony's goal.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Thank god they won. Because smith needed to be better but the boys pulled through for him.

I hope Neal is finally emerging, along with Benny.

Honest question, was frolik benches all third? Did not see him at all


Hope the top line is ready to torch the coilers tomorrow night

He had 4th most ice time for forwards, behind only the top line.

[soulchoice]

Genius on the fan right now wanting to trade Brodie for Muzzin and a pick. Some people don’t even watch the game.

[cupofjoe]

You know one of the many things I liked about the Flames this year.....I don't have to click on the wildcard tab for the TSN NHL standings like in years past....

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by the2bears

It's far from ideal having Smith as the backup. I doubt there are few that question this. He lets in 1 or 2 softies a game (at least it seems that way).

But, what's going to happen? It seems less and less likely he'll be replaced. We know what we have, does it make any sense to bitch about *every* single goal scored against the Flames?

Is there anyone *really* "defending this guy"? Or do you have some people simply tired of the barrage of negativity on every goal. Goal is tipped by Gio three feet in front... "Smith let us right back down".

It’s not negativity, it’s reality. Mike Smith sucks. Ignoring the Gio tip, all three others goals were stoppable and two of them were weak.

We can say the Fleme played poorly tonight, but how much of that can be attributed to the fact that it’s goddamn hard to play a competitive hockey game knowing every mistake will end up in your net. Completely changes the flow of the game.

[chummer]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Genius on the fan right now wanting to trade Brodie for Muzzin and a pick. Some people don’t even watch the game.

Muzzin doesn't play the right side. Idiot.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

It’s not negativity, it’s reality. Mike Smith sucks. Ignoring the Gio tip, all three others goals were stoppable and two of them were weak.

We can say the Fleme played poorly tonight, but how much of that can be attributed to the fact that it’s goddamn hard to play a competitive hockey game knowing every mistake will end up in your net. Completely changes the flow of the game.

But the Gio goal wasn't ignored. It was the same old negativity. Quite simply blaming him for that is *not* reality, and you know it.