[PGT] Canes 4 - Flames 2 FML

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The players didn't have a coaching change to start last season, and they actually looked worse than they do right now.

For real. Other than a slightly more successful PP they were worse to start last year and it wasn't Hiller's fault, that would be revisionist history as he stole us our only win and Ramo also almost nearly us another against the Jets we had no business winning. The Flames looked awful to start last season, just awful.

The Flames have been bad this year, but they were definitely worse to start last year, and that was with the same coach and systems as the year prior:

First Five Games

[Caged Great]

A lot of the problem the team is facing is the lack of appearances the players made during the preseason together. For the majority of the preseason, the team played too many non NHL players due to the World Cup, Injury, and lack of a contract.

So for the first two weeks, we are going through the preseason. Unfortunately, all the other teams are actually prepared for the start of the year and the Flames are playing catch up. It is just bad luck that they now go through a stretch where it's elite team after elite team.

The Flames need to be able to tread water by the 20 game mark. Last year they had 15 points at the 20 game mark. They need to best that by 4 or 5. If they can be close to a PPG, they will be fine as the schedule from mid november through march is relatively easy by comparison.

At the end of Nov, starting at the 20th, only 2/7 are against decent teams (Boston/NYI)

December, only 6/13 are against good teams (Min, Dal, SJ, TB, Ana X2).

January, only 3/13 are against good teams (SJ, Fla, Nash)

Until Feb 18 3/7 (Min, NYR, Pit)

[The Fonz]

We should not be consoling ourselves with positive Corsi & Fenwick numbers.
We're allowing breakaways and cross-crease passes, while not getting any of these from the opposition. It does not matter if we are out-shooting them by 3 or 5 shots a game when they're getting that kind of quality against us, while not giving up any of that quality to us.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

We should not be consoling ourselves with positive Corsi & Fenwick numbers.

Even when they are correlating to positive goals numbers at even strength?

[DeluxeMoustache]

With all of the talk here about last year October, don't forget that Brodie was out, Gio just back after the bicep tear and Hamilton making an inelegant transition in to Bob's system.

The team this year is at least healthy and intact.

[bigrangy]

Fix the special teams, and tighten up the defensive zone for less scoring chances against and this team will be average at worst.

There is a good team here. It would have been great to be more prepared to start the season, and I sure hope Brad can make sure that the team will be ready to go for game 1 nest season.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Even when they are correlating to positive goals numbers at even strength?

On small sample sizes such as this, there's good credence to looking at quality scoring chances

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

With all of the talk here about last year October, don't forget that Brodie was out, Gio just back after the bicep tear and Hamilton making an inelegant transition in to Bob's system.

The team this year is at least healthy and intact.

To me it's practically a wash.

This year; Brodie's forgotten how to Brodie. Gio just started hitting his stride and was playing like one of our worst defenceman prior. Dougie's been ok but no standout. We haven't been getting the saves or special teams when we need em most.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

To me it's practically a wash.

This year; Brodie's forgotten how to Brodie. Gio just started hitting his stride and was playing like one of our worst defenceman prior. Dougie's been ok but no standout. We haven't been getting the saves or special teams when we need em most.

Oh, agreed, the same level of crap is happening.

Just that I felt there was a bit of a better excuse last year.