You know, it's interesting that the narrative is that our 5v5 play is weak. Currently, the Flames are:
16th in 5v5 offense at 2.45 Goals / 60
7th in 5v5 defense 1.84 Goals Against / 60
7th in 5v5 GF% at 57.14%
And the underlying numbers are very comparable to that:
6th in 5v5 offense at 2.37 Expected Goals / 60
10th in 5v5 defense at 1.94 Expected Goals Against / 60
5th in 5v5 xGF% at 55.02%
Interestingly, our PP has the most concerning numbers: we get the 25th most chances while allowing the 4th most shorthanded chances. We actually give up shorthanded goals at a higher rate (2.35 / 60) than 5v5 goals.
I dont know if you’ve watched every game, but minus the last couple games, he’s had moments where he’s absolutely been flying around with the puck. Much more this season than he showed all last season. Like, wizard Gaudreau style.
He spoke after the game last night in an interview about how he’s trying to not be as cute this year, and take more of a shoot first mentality, as teams are used to him looking to make a pass before taking a shot. I think this mentality has made him more effective this season so far. Not thinking as much and just reacting
I agree. There's been lots of times where he has flown into the zone. He seems to lack that ability to dominate the zone like he used to though. There was a time when he would enter the zone and the defence would back up and double team him.
Maybe part of it is that the book is out on him, but if you watch his vintage highlights, it was on another level:
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I agree. There's been lots of times where he has flown into the zone. He seems to lack that ability to dominate the zone like he used to though. There was a time when he would enter the zone and the defence would back up and double team him.
Maybe part of it is that the book is out on him, but if you watch his vintage highlights, it was on another level:
Earlier in his career he used to flat out dazzle, no doubt.
Teams/players adjusted to this over the years, not to mention the abuse his hands have taken in the process.
Teams no longer give him any space, so he’s had to adjust to that and his game has changed. I think we re seeing him mature and realize that he will have to adjust his mindset a little bit to remain the threat he once was, by beginning to shoot more rather than always look for a pass. This will give defenders more to think about, and in return may open up more passing lanes.
I hope he continues to evolve his game
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It was in.
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I saw in the last around the league report that an Oilers fan called us Phlegms.
That was clever, but "FRAUDgary" is so sad and uninspired.
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Originally Posted by snipetype
k im just not going to respond to your #### anymore because i have better things to do like #### my model girlfriend rather then try to convince people like you of commonly held hockey knowledge.
Man Markstrom is like a God Mode cheat code. I almost feel bad how the Canucks keep gifting us all these good players from Chucky and on. If Rittich is in net they would have been down 3 goals before the second period. It really makes a huge difference for when they come out flat which is every 3rd game.
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Earlier in his career he used to flat out dazzle, no doubt.
Teams/players adjusted to this over the years, not to mention the abuse his hands have taken in the process.
Teams no longer give him any space, so he’s had to adjust to that and his game has changed. I think we re seeing him mature and realize that he will have to adjust his mindset a little bit to remain the threat he once was, by beginning to shoot more rather than always look for a pass. This will give defenders more to think about, and in return may open up more passing lanes.
I hope he continues to evolve his game
Also a lot of those highlights were on the rush with the defensemen backing up while the Flames attacked at speed. The system™ has changed the look of some of his opportunities. You can also see many moves where Gaudreau purposely put the puck into the defensemen's feet before pulling it back. Obviously they've cued into that now so it's on Johnny to figure out how to adapt and evolve (so far so good this year).
That dangle behind the net (~1:30) where he turns an Ottawa defensemen into a pretzel was really something else though.
Last edited by Flames0910; 02-12-2021 at 06:22 PM.
Man Markstrom is like a God Mode cheat code. I almost feel bad how the Canucks keep gifting us all these good players from Chucky and on. If Rittich is in net they would have been down 3 goals before the second period. It really makes a huge difference for when they come out flat which is every 3rd game.
Good way to put it. It really is amazing to see elite level goaltending on the team again.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
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