[PGT] Flames score 3 powerplay goals and defeat Canucks 7-4

[GioforPM]

I didn't see the big Hanifin issues others did, and I didn't think Ryan was horrible. Neal had a bunch of shots, he just has to find the space around the goalie. His shots seem to be juggled a fair bit - he's creating close in rebounds anyway.

Kinda feel bad for Prout. Put in to fight - the opportunity didn't come up, and "first game in 2 years kid. Here, play on this five on three."

Dube and Valimaki were noticeable. The Backlund line started slow and heated up. I didn't notice much out of Bennett and Jankowski and I see that only Bennett and Ryan were shotless. I liked Czarnik's game a lot.

[Beninho]

Gaudreau was vintage Gaudreau last night. Flying through the neutral zone and had just some stupidly good passes throughout the game. Great to see.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Inferno

I wasn't trying to be a troll and intentionally spoil it. Like I said I got caught in the moment and figured that anyone who cared would already know the result whether they watched it while watching the game like I was or not.

I made a mistake like we all do sometimes and next time I'll know to leave out non-hockey results for anyone who may not want to know until later.

It’s their own fault. If they’re worried about seeing discussion of a major sporting event, then don’t go on social media (especially sports-based social media).

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Inferno

I wasn't trying to be a troll and intentionally spoil it. Like I said I got caught in the moment and figured that anyone who cared would already know the result whether they watched it while watching the game like I was or not.

I made a mistake like we all do sometimes and next time I'll know to leave out non-hockey results for anyone who may not want to know until later.

It's equally on me, inferno. I was too tired last night and just flipped the plate of spaghetti over and walked away from the table.

I shouldn't have quoted it, and I shouldn't have left it till morning. Sorry, All.

[Rtown]

Originally Posted by robbie111

I know it's only 2 games but nice to see Tkachuk tied for the league lead in points with 5 in 2 games.

Isn’t it funny how that works? Petterson has 5 points and according to national media he’s already a Hart candidate. And yet Chucky has 5 points and crickets. I really hope the players are noticing how badly they’re getting ignored and using it as motivation.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Big shout out to th posters who quoted the spoilers for those of us who didn't see it the first time.

Posters quoting idiots and trolls are the true CP MVPs.

I’m an MVP!

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I didn't see the big Hanifin issues others did, and I didn't think Ryan was horrible. Neal had a bunch of shots, he just has to find the space around the goalie. His shots seem to be juggled a fair bit - he's creating close in rebounds anyway.

This right here is why I actually think Bennett - Jankowski - Neal would Work great. Jankowski and Bennett drive the rush up the ice and crash the net - if they could match that with Neal’s shot I think we’d have a very strong line.

Through 2 games, the depth scoring looks identical to last year (ineffective). Time for the current lines to gel would make sense of course, I just see a mix with Bennett-Jankowski-Neal that could really work.

[jessnuts]

Originally Posted by fire_starter

I kinda sorta may have a man crush on Lindholm

But would you move to a cabin in the woods with him?

[Sylvanfan]

If Backlund could finish this one turns for the Flames earlier. He had some grade A chances that he should have finished. With this many power plays these are odd games to get any sort of flow going.

Lindholm could really have a huge year if he plays with Gaudreau and Monahan regularly. He seems to have that ability to find space and Gaudreau will find him there. I also think we will see the pre-Gulutzen version of Giordano this year.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Rtown

Isn’t it funny how that works? Petterson has 5 points and according to national media he’s already a Hart candidate. And yet Chucky has 5 points and crickets. I really hope the players are noticing how badly they’re getting ignored and using it as motivation.

Well Petterson’s a rookie. If Tkachuk leads the league in scoring I have no doubt the accolades will flow. I feel like it’s a little early for the Calgary Flames to be complaining about a lack of respect.

[DazzlinDino]

I don't think I can recall the Flames having this much fun in recent years. The guys seem to really be tight and having fun. Elias, Gio Monahan, MT all smiles out there. Hopefully this leads to more positive energy during games and the players start believing.

That top line is going to be fun to watch this season. Interviewed players talked about practicing plays, trying new entry's in anticipation for the the canucks. Nice to see a focused determined group. The players appear open and candid about strategies during interviews, a sharp contrast of last seasons coaches preaching doing the same things over and over, even after losses. Once this team gels a little better defensively there are so many weapons on all 4 lines there is going to be hell to pay!

[Strange Brew]

The big positives from this game, for me, was the PP obviously and how Valimaki improved from game 1, where he made some very bad decisions. That is exciting.

Lindholm looks awesome with Gaudreau and Monahan, but I do understand the curiosity of how this team would look with him centering the 2nd line. He could still play with those guys on PP1. Just concerned the drop off between him and whoever would go on top line could be too much.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Observations after sleeping on the game and then reviewing it a second time this morning.


I don't get what Peters sees in Derek Ryan. He really doesn't do much out there as far as contributing to the play. He's quick and an opportunist, but his play is driven by those he plays with. I don't see him as anything but a PP specialist, and even then with spot duty. If Peters wants this guy in the lineup he should be the 4th line center or 13th forward. The fact that he is being played ahead of Jankowski and Bennett is crazy.


Bennett has been giving it his all out there. I get that. But man, does this kid need to learn how to use his linemates. He gets the puck then tries to beat all six of the opposition on the ice. I think a couple times he got the puck he gave a head fake to a couple Canucks on the bench just for good measure. Use your linemates! Make a pass! Head man the puck! Then use that tenaciousness to get into position to get the puck back or make some open ice for the puck carrier to go to! The effort is there, but the instincts need to improve.


Mike Smith is not the solution. Slow, poor rebound control, doesn't use that big frame well, and doesn't anticipate anything. I should probably mention his poor decision making while handling the puck too. One of things that makes Mike Smith an interesting goaltender is that he is unpredictable. The problem with Mike Smith as a goaltender is that he is unpredictable. The thing that made Kipper great was the fact that when the puck got to certain areas you were pretty confident that puck wasn't going to end up in the net. Smith doesn't give you that confidence. Outside of 20 games last season, when that puck crosses the center line anything directed at Smith is a scoring opportunity. When a goaltender gives up more goals than the team gives up danger zone scoring chances, that is a warning sign. Smith needs to channel that guy from the 20 game segment last season, or the Flames need to move on, and move on quickly.


Michael Stone is an enigma. At times he looks so good, then at others he looks lost out there. I thought Hanafin would be the perfect partner for him, because of his mobility, but Stone just doesn't have any chemistry with him, or anyone else for that matter. He's the perfect spot player - a number 7 defenseman - but he is looking like a weakness back there. I'd rather see Andersson in the lineup than Stone.


Offensively this team is looking pretty decent. The first line is great. Lindholm has obviously figured out where he needs to be with Gaudreau and Monahan. Tkachuk is carrying that second line as it looks for a full time RW. The third line is a steaming pile. Bennett and Jankowski should be promoted and be playing with Neal. Neal could teach Bennett a thing or six and that line could be scary in its own right. The fourth line would best be served as being your specialists with a mix of Dube, Czarnik, Frolik and Ryan. I wouldn't mind seeing what Frolik-Dube-Czarnik could do. Could be an interesting line, especially with having Ryan as your fallback position in the middle.


As I said earlier, it was a win, but my god was that ugly. Some real positives, but still some major things to address IMO.

[Stay Golden]

Was at the game, wow what a home debut for Lindholm!
As everyone knows the Flames have had a terrible home opener W-L record over the past 10 years so the fans were in a show me kind of mood and honestly it wasn't until that BS disallowed goal that the mood shifted to let's go boys and do this.
The team got lifted and rode that wave of emotion.
#1 line MGL fantastic, Tkachuk, Backlund great, Ryan made several defensive coverage mistakes.
Seeing Neal up close I now understand why he is not on the 2nd line, he is slow and appears to be not in game shape yet.

D overall was better in the offensive zone than in their own end. Gio was definitely the steady force and proved once again why he wears the C.
Smith we need the 3rd period version and not the first 2 continues to be the good and bad with him but last night he made some huge 3 period saves when the team needed it most.
What a great feeling after this game!

[FBI]

Exciting game!
6 mins for Bennett and Janko? Come on man.
Smith: a little concerning.

[Rick M.]

The win will build some confidence as the team heads out on a tough road trip.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by New Era

Observations after sleeping on the game and then reviewing it a second time this morning.


I don't get what Peters sees in Derek Ryan. He really doesn't do much out there as far as contributing to the play. He's quick and an opportunist, but his play is driven by those he plays with. I don't see him as anything but a PP specialist, and even then with spot duty. If Peters wants this guy in the lineup he should be the 4th line center or 13th forward. The fact that he is being played ahead of Jankowski and Bennett is crazy.


Bennett has been giving it his all out there. I get that. But man, does this kid need to learn how to use his linemates. He gets the puck then tries to beat all six of the opposition on the ice. I think a couple times he got the puck he gave a head fake to a couple Canucks on the bench just for good measure. Use your linemates! Make a pass! Head man the puck! Then use that tenaciousness to get into position to get the puck back or make some open ice for the puck carrier to go to! The effort is there, but the instincts need to improve.


Mike Smith is not the solution. Slow, poor rebound control, doesn't use that big frame well, and doesn't anticipate anything. I should probably mention his poor decision making while handling the puck too. One of things that makes Mike Smith an interesting goaltender is that he is unpredictable. The problem with Mike Smith as a goaltender is that he is unpredictable. The thing that made Kipper great was the fact that when the puck got to certain areas you were pretty confident that puck wasn't going to end up in the net. Smith doesn't give you that confidence. Outside of 20 games last season, when that puck crosses the center line anything directed at Smith is a scoring opportunity. When a goaltender gives up more goals than the team gives up danger zone scoring chances, that is a warning sign. Smith needs to channel that guy from the 20 game segment last season, or the Flames need to move on, and move on quickly.


Michael Stone is an enigma. At times he looks so good, then at others he looks lost out there. I thought Hanafin would be the perfect partner for him, because of his mobility, but Stone just doesn't have any chemistry with him, or anyone else for that matter. He's the perfect spot player - a number 7 defenseman - but he is looking like a weakness back there. I'd rather see Andersson in the lineup than Stone.


Offensively this team is looking pretty decent. The first line is great. Lindholm has obviously figured out where he needs to be with Gaudreau and Monahan. Tkachuk is carrying that second line as it looks for a full time RW. The third line is a steaming pile. Bennett and Jankowski should be promoted and be playing with Neal. Neal could teach Bennett a thing or six and that line could be scary in its own right. The fourth line would best be served as being your specialists with a mix of Dube, Czarnik, Frolik and Ryan. I wouldn't mind seeing what Frolik-Dube-Czarnik could do. Could be an interesting line, especially with having Ryan as your fallback position in the middle.


As I said earlier, it was a win, but my god was that ugly. Some real positives, but still some major things to address IMO.

That was my biggest concern about the Derek Ryan signing. As a depth or fourth line forward, sure no problem. However there is a reason why the Canes fan base consistently spoke of Peters fascination with Ryan. No different than GG misuse of Brouwer. Now I get the fact Ryan had decent underlying numbers in Carolina, but it’s not all about that.

Let’s hope Peters doesn’t do the same here as he did with Ryan in Carolina, as he doesn’t need to, based on the other bodies he has as options.

[Huntingwhale]

Spoiler!

Beautiful win. Got scary with the shots leaking in on Smith, but nice to see the depth finally come through and win us the game!

Lindholm is a beast. Wow. Can't believe we got this guy. He was making smart plays all night, and I loved seeing him cover for the D when they pinched in. When the puck would turn over I would gasp until I saw Lindholm always covering. Such a smart player.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by AC

[*]5-4 Elias Lindholm (2), assists: Johnny Gaudreau (3), Matthew Tkachuk (3)

2nd best part of this hilite is just after the goal, when the camera is pointed at the crowd, is the Nucks fan just off center staring at his crotch with his buddy giving him the consolation pat on the back.

[slcrocket]

Really fun period to watch...and I am not looking forward to Petersson being around here for a long time. Fantastic instincts, speed, and a much quicker shot than I expected. There will be a book on him soon, but tough to dislike what he brings from a skill perspective.

I saw a lot of complaining about the goaltending - but some of those shots are coming from right on the edge of the crease with no one offering resistance. Those goals are going in on any goaltender. I was encouraged by Valimaki and I thought Giordano had a strong game, but someone needs to put somebody on their ASS or at least feel some pressure just standing next to our crease waiting for a pass. This is the biggest concern I have about our D corps - outside of Giordano (Brodie, Hamonic, Valimaki, Stone, Hanifin, whoever), this is not a physical bunch. If we allow guys to post up and just stand by our goal waiting for a pass or a deflection, we are going to give up a lot of goals.

But all that being said, what else can you say about our new guys? Lindholm seems to be finding early chemistry on that top line, Valimaki looks like a vet already, Czarnik is deceptively quick and just seems to know where to go...I even thought Neal did a few nice things and made his presence felt a little more than in the opener. Lots to be happy about.