[PGT] Flames lose 11th consecutive season opener. 4-3 Jets (OT)

[Calgary4LIfe]

I thought it was a good job by Bennett to force Ward to promote him. Bennett started to attack the net directly - the only Flame to really do so - and then got bumped up to the Backlund line.


That 4th line needs some work. Jankowski was a disappointment last season, but his 2 previous seasons to start his career were good. Now it looks like a defensively sound playmaker playing with guys with hands of stone. At least Nordstrom has wheels, and I think that was a missed call on his breakaway, so I think he was ok.



I am also hoping that Leivo (or Simon) will end up working out on the Monahan - Gaudreau line. That line looked FANTASTIC with Hudler on it while they were playing quickly north-south AND east-west. That line looked great most nights with Ferland as well - he made a lot of room for them, was the defensively responsible forward on that line, and was quick. His ability to forecheck the puck off the boards and being a legitimate threat with his release was also great for that line. It is surprising how it seems so difficult to find someone that can play with those two well.


They better figure it out this season. They can't continue being a detriment to the team. They were responsible for a number of Calgary's wins in the past (IMO at the very least), but they simply aren't carrying their weight on the team and haven't been for some time. This was the first game, so who knows what real adjustments are being tried out. I really hope they get that line fixed, because the Flames aren't going anywhere with those two being terrible 5on5.


Bennett would be the most logical fit on that line as he will add some speed, some forechecking ability, be able to stick up for them when needed, and attack the net causing some confusion. However, I think it is smarter to try and use Leivo/Simon for a little while and see if it clicks - Mangiapane - Backlund - Bennett sure seemed like and effective line last night.

[Enoch Root]

First of all, I don't think panicking after one road game is the best way to go. However, if Gaudreau and Monahan continue to struggle, then at some point, they need to be split up. I just haven't see any line combinations that I like when they are split though.

I think Tkachuk and Monahan together is a terrible idea - too slow. BUt how about Gaudreau with Tkachuk and Lindholm?

Tkachuk - Lindholm - Gaudreau
Mangiapane - Monahan - Simon/Leivo
Bennett - Backlund - Dube
whatever

[stang]

Did Markstrom play the puck outside the trapezoid? Looks like it but I’m only seeing one angle.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I thought it was a good job by Bennett to force Ward to promote him. Bennett started to attack the net directly - the only Flame to really do so - and then got bumped up to the Backlund line.


That 4th line needs some work. Jankowski was a disappointment last season, but his 2 previous seasons to start his career were good. Now it looks like a defensively sound playmaker playing with guys with hands of stone. At least Nordstrom has wheels, and I think that was a missed call on his breakaway, so I think he was ok.



I am also hoping that Leivo (or Simon) will end up working out on the Monahan - Gaudreau line. That line looked FANTASTIC with Hudler on it while they were playing quickly north-south AND east-west. That line looked great most nights with Ferland as well - he made a lot of room for them, was the defensively responsible forward on that line, and was quick. His ability to forecheck the puck off the boards and being a legitimate threat with his release was also great for that line. It is surprising how it seems so difficult to find someone that can play with those two well.


They better figure it out this season. They can't continue being a detriment to the team. They were responsible for a number of Calgary's wins in the past (IMO at the very least), but they simply aren't carrying their weight on the team and haven't been for some time. This was the first game, so who knows what real adjustments are being tried out. I really hope they get that line fixed, because the Flames aren't going anywhere with those two being terrible 5on5.


Bennett would be the most logical fit on that line as he will add some speed, some forechecking ability, be able to stick up for them when needed, and attack the net causing some confusion. However, I think it is smarter to try and use Leivo/Simon for a little while and see if it clicks - Mangiapane - Backlund - Bennett sure seemed like and effective line last night.

Leivo is kind of a Ferland replacement. And Simon is kind of a Hudler replacement.

But until Gaudreau and Monahan play better, it won't matter who their winger is.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by stang

Did Markstrom play the puck outside the trapezoid? Looks like it but I’m only seeing one angle.

He was about to, but lifted his stick and never toughed it. At least taht is how it looked when they slowed it down and showed some replays after the game.

Regardless, he needs to stay in his goddamned net

[TheScorpion]

Markstrom was phenomenal outside of the puck playing

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by stang

Did Markstrom play the puck outside the trapezoid? Looks like it but I’m only seeing one angle.

I don't think he did, he lifted his stick. But he then can't block off the opponent from getting the puck either, that's interference. He did it twice and it wasn't called, but it will be one day if he keeps doing it.

[cowtown75]

I know it's only the first game and it's unfair to be highly critical but it was hard not to notice some of last years trends leaking into this years team. Have a good first period and look fully in control, loose the second period in convincing fashion looking nothing like the team that played the first period followed by chasing the rest of the game.

Gio struggled, Monahan was invisible 2/3 of the game and Johnny taking ridiculous shots from low danger distances and angles killing shift momentum were other continuing ongoing trends. The lack of killer instinct still plagues this team as well as starting the second period loosey goosey allowing teams to strike early changing momentum and not being able to recover for the rest of the game. When we do loose, it feels like this is the situation 90% of the time.

Simon as a healthy scratch in favor of Ryan was a bit of a head scratcher to me other than Ryan's faceoff capability but I thought Simon looked pretty decent, engaged and fast in the two inter-squad games. Good enough to play with Crosby, but can't crack the line up over the likes of Nordstrom, Leivo ? Simon has the tools to be a good PK artist like Nordstrom with more offensive upside imo.

Other than the Chucky-Lindy-Dube line, I wasn't overall impressed with the other lines and Bennett continues to be mismanaged and constantly shuffled around. Another continuing trend.

I know it's only one game, but these were my observations on constant trends that continue to be a thorn in this team's side. Whether that is an underlying problem with this core, character and leadership or this team not playing disciplined under "player coaches" will remain to be seen as this plays out over the season.

[stang]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I don't think he did, he lifted his stick. But he then can't block off the opponent from getting the puck either, that's interference. He did it twice and it wasn't called, but it will be one day if he keeps doing it.

Looked like a weird play

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yeah it's the constant "Johnny slowing down the play" when he enters the zone that is a big problem. i don't know how to fix it.

And it's like it changed over night.

That line was legitimately dangerous for a three season stretch, and then it was just like it was overnight that suddenly it was done.

Part of that it is that it's always been too reliant on Gaudreau to do it all, but at the same time it didn't matter previously because you wanted the puck on his stick anyways and I'm not sure you can say that anymore. He just wasn't the same elusive player at 5v5 in the offensive zone in 19-20 that he was in previous years.

Here is a look at Gaudreau+Monahan at 5v5 since they've been together.



They were great for a three season stretch from 16-19, and really their best season was actually in 17-18 under GG.

Overall they were always a line that played high event hockey and traded chances but they were able to come out ahead.

But then last year the High Danger chance rate just dropped off a cliff. The corsi rate didn't change a whole lot in that time, but the ability to get to the high danger area just disappeared.

I think a big part of it is that Gaudreau was just off last season, and I think Monahan has been less effective since he's had all his hand issues as well, but I wonder if some of it is coaching too.

We heard a lot coming into last season about playing "Playoff" hockey, and not taking as many risks with the puck or cheating to create offense and I think that impacted this line the most.

They are never going to be a get it deep and cycle line. They need to play fast to be able to generate offense and I don't think they were doing that in 19-20.

I feel like last night (in the first period at least) they looked more like they did from 16-19. They were playing quicker, taking more risks with the puck, and the big thing to me was that the defense was jumping in and being more aggressive and activating in the offensive zone.

The thing with the Gaudreau stop at the blue line is you need the d-man to jump into the play to give him a trailing passing option for it to work and the d-men didn't activate at all last year.

It's only one game, and they struggled in the final 40, but it is really intriguing to see if this line can have a bounce back season, especially if the defense plays aggressive like they did in the first period last night.

[FlamesAreOne]

Something needs to be done about Johnny and Mony. Either move them to different lines or you straight up trade one. The ability/chemistry they showed together 2 seasons ago is seemingly gone and that's why our team has taken a step back. It's not an overreaction to one game. It's been a blatant issue all of last year and a lot of the playoffs.

Something needs to be done, we can't have our "star" players be so sub-par consistently and expect us to be a major threat.

[djsFlames]

Johnny and Mony looked great at even strength in the first.

I don't know what part of that game to read into though. I don't know if we even can this early on.

I do know that I want to see Simon with them as I think he brings qualities that can help those two, has played the shotgun role with highly skilled players and as was mentioned the Hudler comparable makes it all the more intriguing.

All of our big four forwards produced last night though. Things are not nearly as dire as some here are making it out to be. But first game overreactions here are pretty well an annual tradition (since they've been losses now for a decade).

[savardandjokinen]

I don’t understand why they don’t change their power play zone entry

Everytime someone skates it up, turns back and gives it to Johnny, and he gets halfway through the zone and nothing happens

It’s too predictable now. Every team knows what’s coming when they watch game tapes of the flames

[cowtown75]

Originally Posted by Bonded

If they keep Monahan and Gaudreau, I hope they break them up for a 10-game stretch.

Can Monahan play RW? Flames RW depth has got to be about worst in the league.

I have actually brought this topic up before on Overtime with moving Monahan to the wing. It would give Monahan less responsibility in a sense and would allow him to concentrate on what he does best- score. I still haven't encountered a good or any counter argument as to why this shouldn't be tried.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yeah it's the constant "Johnny slowing down the play" when he enters the zone that is a big problem. i don't know how to fix it.

I do.

Send him packing.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by stang

Did Markstrom play the puck outside the trapezoid? Looks like it but I’m only seeing one angle.

I was watching the TSN feed and I thought I heard them say his leg might have hit the puck while he was inside the trapezoid. Didn't see the replay but could have sworn I heard them saying how Markstrom dodged a bullet on that one.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Markstrom was phenomenal outside of the puck playing

This was my most positive take away. The team collapse in the 2nd period. Winnipeg was firing on all cylinders, and they have some beastly snipers who can put the puck in the net.

Markstrom kept us in the game. He made every basic save he needed to and a few nice ones on top.

Playing the puck outside the net was an issue. Although he did stop some plays by doing so....but when he messed up....he really messed up.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

I don’t understand why they don’t change their power play zone entry

Everytime someone skates it up, turns back and gives it to Johnny, and he gets halfway through the zone and nothing happens

It’s too predictable now. Every team knows what’s coming when they watch game tapes of the flames

It's funny because even Kelly Hrudy mentioned that during the broadcast. On their one PP goal, everyone was expecting exactly what you described, but Johnny decides to switch it up and it resulted in a goal.

I think there needs to be a few different PP entry schemes and simply read what the defensive tendencies and go from there. Gaudreau doesn't need to stop that type of entry, but they need a backup if it isn't working anymore. And they did last night. And it worked.

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

I don’t understand why they don’t change their power play zone entry

Everytime someone skates it up, turns back and gives it to Johnny, and he gets halfway through the zone and nothing happens

It’s too predictable now. Every team knows what’s coming when they watch game tapes of the flames

I doubt they've practiced it enough yet to implement any changes aside from who occupies the point position.

These things don't happen overnight. But also, the Flames did have pretty good PP numbers in the latter half of last season and into the bubble tourney. And it produced last night.

The one Monahan, Lindholm and Gaudreau connected on was pretty arousing I must say. It's fine to want more creativity but don't ignore or overlook the fact that it actually has been clicking for them in recent times.

I'd put more effort into reaching for problems where they actually kind of exist, like at even strength.

[P-Rugby]

the dome is going to look slick. To bad the grey ads really stick out like sore thumbs

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