[PGT] Flames 5 - Avalanche 4 (OT)

[GioforPM]

Looking at that goal, I think Mackinnon couldn't decide if he should go to Monahan or try to cover Dube on a rebound. He did neither. The other Av was following Monahan and if Mackinnon did too, I think he'd have been too late and taken a penalty, plus Dube would have shoved in the inevitable rebound. But he couldn't get over to Dube.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by zamler

OT winner

https://streamable.com/s2bgu

Defensive play of the year by Gio on that play . Unreal sequence of events!

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Of everyone I thought might save the Flames season, Akim Aliu was not high on the list.

We gave the guy a shot years ago, and he showed he doesn't forget a good turn.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Defensive play of the year by Gio on that play . Unreal sequence of events!

He also saved a sure goal in the third without causing a penalty shot by laying on the puck in the crease. He started rough, but he was a true leader in the game.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Azure

If you go back through the years a lot of the goals Monahan scores are similar. Puck not in a perfect position, and yet he still elevates and finds the open net.

I think with Backlund on the same line it might give him the ability to develop his offensive game a little more. Dude is a legit goal scorer as is.

Mangiapane is another guy who seems to be able to release a good shot while the puck is in an awkward location. A lot of his goals, including tonight's, have been from a somewhat broken play where he digs it out from his feet and just lets it go

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Mangiapane is another guy who seems to be able to release a good shot while the puck is in an awkward location. A lot of his goals, including tonight's, have been from a somewhat broken play where he digs it out from his feet and just lets it go

I've always compared Mangiapane to Cammalleri due to both his build but also exactly what you describe. His release is exceptional.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Azure

If you go back through the years a lot of the goals Monahan scores are similar. Puck not in a perfect position, and yet he still elevates and finds the open net.

I think that it was Hrudey who said " Monahan could shoot a puck in a phonebooth." He is absolutely right Monahan can get a nice shot of in practically any situation.

[3rd liner]

Just watched the game pvr this morning as I couldn’t watch it. What a satisfying win against these idiots and their idiot fans. Their fans have the hockey IQ of a potato.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

So I’ve said split up the top line for the last six months or so.

It’s happening. It’s working. Thank you Ward.

Giving Lindholm the 1C spot and pushing Monahan down is a move that few coaches would've done but many here were aching to see tried. Thank you Ward indeed, for being unafraid and creative enough to make that move.

Lindholm - Monahan is going to be a far better 1-2 than Monahan - Backlund. We're simply slotted way more appropriately now.

Backlund looks like a different player at wing too, he's thriving out there. As good and responsible of a player I think he is, I dont believe the Flames could truly compete with him having sole possession of that 2C spot, at least with possibly his best offensive season behind him now. We needed more skill down the middle.

If Dube and Mangiapane continue to grow into where they are slotted on the wings this team is looking pretty good up front for the next couple seasons.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

So what's the ideal forward lineup in a couple of weeks when Bennett and Czarnik are healthy? Dube has really established himself and Rieder has played excellent hockey over the last little while.

Something like this?

Tkachuk - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Lucic - Ryan - Gaudreau
Dube - Monahan - Backlund
Rieder - Bennett - Czarnik
Extras: Frolik, Jankowski
AHL: Rinaldo

That's a pretty expensive press box, but I think all 14 of those NHL guys have upside and are valuable players to have around. It's certainly a deep lineup... heck, Frolik can easily tread water with Tkachuk and Backlund if need be, and he's currently pencilled in as the 13th forward. And Jankowski is slowly improving.

Rinaldo has acquitted himself as well as he could have in his brief stint, despite his poor metrics. I have to imagine he's among the first in line for another callup, should the opportunity arise. Good to see plenty of forward depth on the farm, with Quine, Phillips, Gawdin, Robinson, Philp, Lomberg, Kirkland, Froese and Tuulola all producing nicely.

There are so many options. I don't think it's a good idea to leave Gaudreau with Ryan and Lucic long term though. Also, Backlund on RW makes a ton of sense - he likes it a lot, and he can help Monahan defensively, which frees Monny up for more offense. And one more thing: on the road, Gaudreau and Monahan tend to get matched up against the other team's top line because Gaudreau is weak defensively. Adding Backlund replaces Lindholm's defensive prowess, and probably even improves on it.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Backlund (well balanced line)
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Mangiapane (emerging as another top line)
Bennett/Dube - Dube/Bennett - Lucic (bedlum ensues)
Rieder - Ryan - Czarnik (maybe the fastest 4th line in the game)
Frolik, Jankowski, Rinaldo provide a lot of options from the pressbox

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It would be great to see if Dube can handle centre duty, but I think it is too soon to make that move. I have doubts about Bennett handling it as well.

Having said that, Jankowski has been so invisible. It might be worth a shot. Could always slot Backlund back in at C, if things were not going well.