[PGT] Flames squeak by Hawks 5-2

[Hockey_Ninja]

Late but:

[Mindtravellee]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

LOL

Ducking from what? Is there a sniper in the upper deck?

The Dallas player isn't even looking at McDavid, he is trying to watch the play. McDavid grabs the stick, throws his arm up in the air to get attention, rolls himself over, then dives to the ice, then looks at the ref.

Yeah, he's trying to protect himself.

(or maybe I mis-read your post)

Misread. Ducking in Aussie rules is deliberately dropping your knees so the tackler gets you around the neck and you get a free/penalty for.high contact.

Looks like he's gone low around the player, trying to get hit with the stick, failed and dived

[WhiteTiger]

[LIP MAN]

Darryl Sutter is the Bill Belichick of hockey. And he’s got a roster with talent and drive.

[Lanny_McDonald]

This Flames team is built a little different. You would expect a let down after the epic road trip, and this game was not their best, but it was still a pretty dominant performance. The Hawks tried to jump on the Flames early, but that quickly fizzled out and it was on flower to keep the Hawks in the game. Was a pleasant surprise with no weak performances again. Keep the momentum rolling.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Soliak

You know what was cool to see today? The emotion/fist pump from Tkachuk on the GWG. I was a bit worried after he was 'supposedly' offered up for Eichel that he might pout or it would ruin team chemistry, but he's really into it. The whole team is.

Bringing in Sutter has completely changed the trajectory of the Flames. It's incredibly exciting. I haven't been this excited in a long time.

One last observation - Hanifin is a really good skater, but it's quite comical seeing him come off the ice then Kylington come on. Oliver makes Hanifin look slow. #### he's fast.

His skating reminds me a bit of Paul Coffee and Scott Niedermayer. That effortless stride/glide which gets up to top speed almost immediately.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

His skating reminds me a bit of Paul Coffee and Scott Niedermayer. That effortless stride/glide which gets up to top speed almost immediately.

He also changes direction while maintaining speed really well. There was a play last night where he was skating around the net in his own zone looking like he was taking the normal wide route any NHL defenseman would take following the boards… but he unexpectedly changed direction right as he was passing the net and headed straight up the middle of the ice. It was a very quick move and there were forecheckers deep in the zone that he eluded by doing that. Was a great move that you don’t see very often at all from defensemen.


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[Ryan Coke]

I would say the 4th line isn’t the 4th line anymore. Ice time is very equal with the Monahan line last night, and who do you think Sutter would trust more on the ice leading by a goal?

Richardson, Lewis, and Lucic know they’re role and what it takes to win. And they deliver every shift.

The Monahan line is still finding their way and trying to find what they excel at. I do think Pitlick is the most replaceable guy on the roster. Not terrible, just doesn’t really bring anything to the roster. Not a great physical grinder, not a lot of skill, and not a young guy with upside.

But can’t complain about much with this team, so fun to watch.

[1qqaaz]

I think Lewis and Richardson are better than Pitlick, and it's by a fair amount. Especially Lewis.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I think Lewis and Richardson are better than Pitlick, and it's by a fair amount. Especially Lewis.

Pitlick is a better checker and Darryl likes checkers. And by that I don’t mean big body checks.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Pitlick is a better checker and Darryl likes checkers. And by that I don’t mean big body checks.

I was watching him last night because he doesn't seem to do anything noteworthy, but then you see him skate his ass off everywhere. He is all over the ice disrupting plays and causing turnovers. He's highly effective at his role, just don't expect any earth-shattering plays from him.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Pitlick is a better checker and Darryl likes checkers. And by that I don’t mean big body checks.

Lewis is larger than Pitlick.
Lewis has 47 hits. Pitlick has 34. Lewis is the one that suited his system. He's the one Sutter won two cups with.

Lewis also has twice the points while playing on the "4th" line. Their advanced stats seem to be almost identical across the board. So the only difference is that Lewis produced more with less. He does this while hitting more.

The team is +30 on the season. Everyone is positive except Monahan and Pitlick.
If there's anything that can use an upgrade, it's that line.

Some of Lewis's shot blocks have been absolutely clutch. He has saved at least 3 would-be goals in front of the net.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I was watching him last night because he doesn't seem to do anything noteworthy, but then you see him skate his ass off everywhere. He is all over the ice disrupting plays and causing turnovers. He's highly effective at his role, just don't expect any earth-shattering plays from him.

Exactly. He (and a few other guys) get sticks on pucks, make opponents at least go around them, rush opponents into passing quicker than they want. Even Monahan is doing those things on that line. I believe this is what Sutter is talking about when he references “checking, not defence” which was a comment that struck me. It’s a way to win back possession.

[rogermexico]

I think Lewis is great —I love the whole Old Kings line. But I think that Pitlick is doing a good job too, for the reasons Cali described.

[FlamesAddiction]

The only time I notice Pitlick is when he gets rubbed off along the boards before he can gain the offensive zone. I honestly don't see what he brings that any farmhand or player that didn't cost a 3rd rounder in a trade would bring.

But the team is winning and he hasn't been obviously terrible I guess.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by rogermexico

I think Lewis is great —I love the whole Old Kings line. But I think that Pitlick is doing a good job too, for the reasons Cali described.

Lucic-Richardson-Trevor

LRT

The C-Train line

They may not go too fast but they always hit somebody

wait...

I am not sure where I am going with this

[Chonger]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

Yep, that’s right: I’m back on my Lucic soapbox…

IMO, he’s Captain material, on and off the ice.

That play on the empty net goal…and then his gesture toward Lewis to ensure that he got credit for it…

(And uh, oh yeah: don’t forget his beauty snipe on his goal…)

Give this man the interim “C”.

Can you imagine the oilers salt after trading a broken down Neal for our Captain +retention and a pick. LOL

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[Textcritic]

You know the Flames must be good, when the strongest criticism from Oilers fans amounts to...

Originally Posted by sad and salty Oilers fans

"...the 3rd most giveaways in the league (2nd most in defensive zone) and are 21st in number of shots blocked...

Just terrible. How is this team even winning with that?

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[Bill Bumface]

Why didn't the crowd get on the sexual assault apologist duo of Kane and Toews?

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Solid win after a 7 game trip. Usually one takes the visitor in these scenarios. Chicago is pretty bad. It’s even better to see the flames buck the trend and put this one to bed.

Lewis is such a reliable player. I even liked him in wpg last year. He just does his job effectively. That lucic play where he let the puck cross the lime without touching it really personifies darryls approach. What a difference it is that this team can pot empty netters Oliver sudden. They have really brought good conditioning to the table this year. This momentum they have built will be tested on Saturday but I like our chances. I think the team mentality has really become a strength as compared to years past.

Oliver kyllington is Oliver sudden blossoming into our most important player I’d argue. His ability to create from the back end and keep plays alive is so crucial for this group. As some have stated that his acceleration and change of direction abilities are already world class. He has come a long way. I cringe to think what this dcorps would do on break outs without him. Thankfully we don’t have to.

But Tanev doesn’t get enough credit. That guy is rock solid. Recall Quinn Hughes cashing that big new contract. I’d say the majority of his nice counting stats were a result of a beebop and rocksteady partner. Tanev is so good defensively and transitionally it’s scary.
What a great free agent signing. He is what harmonic was supposed to be. Markstrom knows how valuable Tanev is with his homage to Tanev in his goalie mask.
It doesn’t even matter that he doesn’t score in the counting stat Columns, he makes life miserable for opposing offensive forays. He was so good even during last years misery of a season.

Gudbranson and Zadorov bring a lot of beef. It’s what’s for dinner in Calgary Apparently. Ranchers choice!