[PGT] Flames lose 5-4 in shootout against Capitals

[gilligans_off]

I got what I paid for in this one.

Good game, kept me engaged. I liked some of what I seen. And I'm sure Bob knows better now what needs to be worked on.

[playmaker]

Originally Posted by zukes

Positives:

- Good all around effort
- I like Jones
- Strong commitment to team defense, guys were coming back hard
- Got a point on he road, always good (even when you blow two 3 goal leads)
- In a playoff spot, never to early to look at the standings.

Negatives:

- Baertshci and Monahan 11 minutes and change each - why? Even if you want your better defensive players on the ice to preserve a lead, why not play these guys in OT? WTF are Galliardi and Street doing on the ice in OT over these guys? Baffling
- Not impressed with Ramo, especially in the shoot out. Started out okay, but when pressure mounted he lacked confidence. That siad, I won't pass judgement for a while.

As for the negatives, I'm surprised nobody complains how physically dominant the Caps were. Especially our defensive top-4 looked even smaller and softer than those from previous seasons. I can't say any of them had a bad game, but they are just not the right group to play in front of a rookie goalie.

[Skaloper]

Originally Posted by zukes

Negatives:

- Baertshci and Monahan 11 minutes and change each - why? Even if you want your better defensive players on the ice to preserve a lead, why not play these guys in OT? WTF are Galliardi and Street doing on the ice in OT over these guys? Baffling
- Not impressed with Ramo, especially in the shoot out. Started out okay, but when pressure mounted he lacked confidence. That siad, I won't pass judgement for a while.

I don't really have a problem with Galliardi and Street being on the ice its not like the Flames were struggling 4 on 4 in OT. For almost the entire 5 minutes they were in the offensive zone and nearly scored a few times.

As for Ramo he just needs to learn to be aggressive in shootouts/breakaways. If you breakdown the goals he let in it is not as bad as it seems. First goal was a clear breakaway from the blue line. Two goals were on the powerplay from the best one in the league last year (First goal by Ovechkin was tipped). The other goal was a quick shot off the draw that caught Ramo off guard.

If the team takes less penalties, win more draws and eliminate defences lapses they easily would have won. That being said Ramo needs to be able to show he can steal a game here and there.

[bubbsy]

i only got to watch the first period at home, then the remainder was just brief glances up to the screen to keep an eye on the score from a pub, so didn't really get to see the play.

When you are up 3-0, 4-1 in a game, the team needs to close it out, regardless of the youth, etc.

As with all games this year, they can't dwell on the game, keep going forward, and take lessons learned along the way.

Looking forward to tonight.

[moon]

Probably what most people should have expected from this team a lot of energy and effort but not enough talent to maintain that level of play they showed early on for a full 60 minutes. Plus a real struggle defensively to keep the other team at bay for a full 60 minutes. This team looks like it will give the fans some moments/periods of excting play at least.

I liked what I saw from most of the young guys. Backlund was surprisingly decent, although struggled on the FO's. Monahan and Baertschi weren't great but also didn't look out of place and made some nice plays.

I thought Ramo was at best okay but looked shakey on some plays that could have resulted in goals and even if they were tips/breakaway did not make that big save the team needed. Should be expected for a guy with his background so can't be too shocked/mad about that.

I think the posters that continually get mad at those with criticisms or try and sugar coat everything are going to be as unbearable or probably most obnoxious than the critical posters. This year is going to have a lot of people with different views/opinions on what we see out there and hopefully posters can just deal with it civilly rather than the whining we have started to see in this PGT already.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by playmaker

As for the negatives, I'm surprised nobody complains how physically dominant the Caps were. Especially our defensive top-4 looked even smaller and softer than those from previous seasons. I can't say any of them had a bad game, but they are just not the right group to play in front of a rookie goalie.

Maybe people just take that for granted. Some of the differences in reactions are due to differences in expectations and general outlook. They're bottom-3 in the league on paper, easily, and it's another patented Jay Feaster lineup with giant holes (they may have a couple of centers this year but the defense is obviously small and they don't have a goalie with NHL starter experience in the entire system).

[zukes]

Originally Posted by Skaloper

I don't really have a problem with Galliardi and Street being on the ice its not like the Flames were struggling 4 on 4 in OT. For almost the entire 5 minutes they were in the offensive zone and nearly scored a few times.

As for Ramo he just needs to learn to be aggressive in shootouts/breakaways. If you breakdown the goals he let in it is not as bad as it seems. First goal was a clear breakaway from the blue line. Two goals were on the powerplay from the best one in the league last year (First goal by Ovechkin was tipped). The other goal was a quick shot off the draw that caught Ramo off guard.

If the team takes less penalties, win more draws and eliminate defences lapses they easily would have won. That being said Ramo needs to be able to show he can steal a game here and there.

I agree about Ramo, it was the shoot-out that makes things look worse, but he was brutal. I woulda scored.

As for Gallairdi and Street being on in OT, what is the upside? I know they played well, but seriously, who gives you a better chance to score? If you lose in OT to an Eastern team, who cares? Go for the goal, especially conidering the Flames shoot-out records since.... forever.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by zukes

I agree about Ramo, it was the shoot-out that makes things look worse, but he was brutal. I woulda scored.

As for Gallairdi and Street being on in OT, what is the upside? I know they played well, but seriously, who gives you a better chance to score? If you lose in OT to an Eastern team, who cares? Go for the goal, especially conidering the Flames shoot-out records since.... forever.

If I'm not mistaken, Galiardi and Street pinned the Caps in their zone most of the time they were on the ice. So it's not like they were put out there to keep the other team at bay and play a defensive game. Besides, Ben Street is an offensive player, so he was put out there to score.

That's the way I saw it at least.

On a side note, Galiardi seriously pissed me off last night when he took that useless goalie interference penalty and Backstrom tied it up. Ridiculously bad discipline from him.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I'm not a big Street fan (especially on the PP), but he diid play with a lot of jump last night. Feels like he earned that extra time, no? The team as a whole played really well in OT, so I have no problem having Sven and Monahan sit. Perhaps tonight will be a different story.

[MonsieurFish]

Despite the four goals against, I though Ramo looked sharp. The first three goals he had no chance on (second was tipped by Brodie). Fourth goal was saveable, but still a tough shot and can't be blamed for it... obviously he didn't look particularly good in the shootout, but overall I was pretty impressed.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by MonsieurFish

Despite the four goals against, I though Ramo looked sharp. The first three goals he had no chance on (second was tipped by Brodie). Fourth goal was saveable, but still a tough shot and can't be blamed for it... obviously he didn't look particularly good in the shootout, but overall I was pretty impressed.

I would agree. I found the general scribes/commentators tone that the Calgary defense was looking sad untrue as well. Faceoff win and straight to Ovie and in the net. Defensemen ain't taking the draw. Ovie scores when he wants to. Just as one example.

It wasn't glaring blunders or bad goaltending.

That said the defense isn't anything special at all. Ramo and the defense are going to need a real helping hand from the forwards if they have any chance of keeping the goals against down.

[saillias]

I wonder if Backlund is doing all he can to be good at faceoffs - maybe he just doesn't have the reflexes, maybe the coaching staff isn't pressuring him to be better there, but FFS if he wants to be a top 6 center in this league he has to learn to win his draws.

[Flames_F.T.W]

Good effort overall and not the least bit disappointed. This is what we're going to see a lot of this year. Little mistakes costing games. It's a rebuild, and an entertaining one at that! As long as the effort is there, I'm alright with any outcome. Good to see 4 goals though, definitely a bonus!

[Stay Golden]

What i liked about what we saw in game 1 was the effort of team. What i really liked is that when the game was tied after the Caps stormed back the young team did not cower and try to hang on for dear life. Those the games a team loses late in the 3rd. Instead they pressed for the win themselves and continued to fore check aggressively.

In OT they were the dominant team and deserved the win. I didn't feel confident going into the SO that they would beat the Caps. The SO needs a ton of work as does the PP and PK.
JMO special teams is what cost the Flames the game asides from Galirdi's dumb penalty. They were not very good on the pk and when they had their own PP they could have really taken the wind out of the Caps making a 5-1 lead or extended a 2 goal lead late in 3rd twice.
Glencross needs to be bag skated separately from the entire team. He was a lazy poor excuse of a player wearing an A. If the Flames put in the effort he did they would have been run out of the building 6-0.
Overall much more than i expected to see vs the Caps. Well earned point their performance was much better than Edm or Van, small victory but i'll take it.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by moon

I think the posters that continually get mad at those with criticisms or try and sugar coat everything are going to be as unbearable or probably most obnoxious than the critical posters. This year is going to have a lot of people with different views/opinions on what we see out there and hopefully posters can just deal with it civilly rather than the whining we have started to see in this PGT already.

Moon setting the forum up for what he will bring this year.

That being said Moon, good post about the game. Just make sure you do give credit where it's due before pointing out the negatives this year.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

If I'm not mistaken, Galiardi and Street pinned the Caps in their zone most of the time they were on the ice. So it's not like they were put out there to keep the other team at bay and play a defensive game. Besides, Ben Street is an offensive player, so he was put out there to score.

That's the way I saw it at least.

On a side note, Galiardi seriously pissed me off last night when he took that useless goalie interference penalty and Backstrom tied it up. Ridiculously bad discipline from him.

I have no problem with Street getting ice time (he took two huge hits to make plays) all around hustled and I though looked like a pretty good player to have in the AHL for call ups.

I also have no issue with Monahan not being part of OT, the guy is in his 1st NHL game, I am sure he learned a ton, had a pretty positive night (1st NHL point) I wouldn't want to ruin it with him getting lit up in OT.

My issue is with Baertschi (all 12 minutes he played) in a 65 minute contest. The guy deserves 15-17 minutes a game to prove what he can do. His dangle (just before Jones took that high-sticking penalty) was impressive, and I thought should have drawn a hooking penalty.

I watched the 1st two periods, and in that time I didn't see anything that showed he was out of place/wasn't committed to defense etc. So why is he getting 11:24 and Glencross who I though made some horrible drop passes crossing the blue line, didn't back check and overall looked disinterested got 22+minutes.

Correct me if I am wrong, did Glencross' play pick up in the third? This is what worries me going into this season.

(I would pick on Stempniaks ice time too, but I thought he had a great game last night and deserved his time)

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by calgARI

Hilarious how good the Caps probably think they are after that win. Absolutely they're the better team but the team that played better did not win tonight. Game was very predictable once they got out to the 3-0 lead. I mean that has happened what, like a dozen times over the last two seasons? Other than a couple 5 minute stretches, the Flames were the better team and worked considerably harder. I was particularly impressed with how they came back after Washington tied it up in the third. Flames dominated the last few minutes and dominated overtime. Caps win the cheap way but good luck with that garbage effort this year against the teams in their new division.

Thought Jones was far and away Calgary's best player tonight. Was great in all three zones.

Ramo was not very good IMO.

Galiardi got better as the game progressed but that penalty cost the team a point. I like how much he gets after it though. I unfortunately think he will take more stupid penalties like that this year. Just the way he plays.

Giordano was really good.

Some solid glimpses from Monahan and Baertschi but not much on which to assess.

Stajan was good. Barely noticed Glencross.

At least the team played hard. At least they are north-south and consistently got to the body. They are not very good and are very rough around the edges, but working hard gets you a long way as we have learned the hard way the last few years.

Agree with pretty much all of this except Stajan. Thought he was fighting the puck all night and any rushes he was part of died on his stick. He was decent in the face-off dot but they'll need more from him going forward.

I thought Baertschi had a couple really nice shifts and wasn't rewarded with PP time that IMO he deserved. The puck just seems to follow him, which is a compliment for a kid his age. Would like him to be more assertive and shoot the puck but that will come.

Kris Russell looks like he might just thrive with this new responsibility of being a top 4 dman. I can see him getting better and better with confidence - a great trade by Feaster.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Just for everyone's info, the Caps broadcast team was very complimentary towards Calgary's effort, and they were especially fawning over Backlund, mostly over his defensive zone play and drive towards the net. I still don't know if he will ever be more than a 50 point player, but I love his two-way game and effort.

The defense is really small, and the 3rd pairing was awful last night. I don't think it will be long before you see both Butler and O'Brien replaced with Breen and Sieloff. I give it til the halfway point of the season before that happens.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Enjoyed the game. I think the effort was there, but general team intelligence was low. But as time passes, I expect the coaching staff to increase the team IQ so that they can be more efficient with their energy.

Tough game for Ramo. Unlike our prior backups, he did not look shaky with ordinary shots. He might not be a spectacular save type of goalie, but if the team in front of him gets smarter then I do think he can be an effective goalie for us.

Too early to call anything, but if this is the direction we're going then sign me up. Three years ago, when we were supposedly a better team, the Capitals blew us out at home 7-2. The last time we got any points against the Capitals was the 2009 - 2010 season. So yeah.

[Vulcan]

When the team gives up 39 shots, allowing only 4 goals is pretty good. As the shots go up the save percentage goes down. One thing I noticed is Ramo seems to have a big 5 hole and Ovechkin seemed to be trying to take advantage. I think they've played against each other before.

I can only remember one time the Flames got stuck in their own end for an extended period. I think that will be their weakness with having a small defence. Russel's game seems to be the same as Brodie's, get the puck out quickly and mostly it works.

I don't particularly like Street but he epitomizes the Flames philosophy of getting up after being knocked down and he's producing and doesn't look out of place. Interesting to see who's out after Cammallari and Colborne get in the line up.