[PGT] 1-1 series. Off to Colorado.

[2macinnis2]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Game one was all Mike Smith. If he's not in god mode and the Avs get the lead it's highly doubtful the Flames win that one. They have been the better team for 6/7 periods in this series.

I agree with this actually. But I'd add that McKinnon is probably about 70-80% the reason. So saying they have been the better 'team' is slightly misleading (McKinnon and Smith have been the stand outs so far).

[CrazyCaper]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Flames are objectively the better team, but that doesn’t count for crap if the other team wants it more. Then you have MacKinnon who has found that rare extra playoff gear and the Avs have a chance.

Flames need to regroup and play like they can.

MacKinnon was absolutely flying out there last night. One of those playoff performances that you don’t easily forget.

The C of Red did their part, credit where it’s due.

Did all I could. Was cheering all game from 218. No voice today. Still shocked watching that "embellishment" call on Johmny live. I thought there was gonna be a riot in my section.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by 2macinnis2

I agree with this actually. But I'd add that McKinnon is probably about 70-80% the reason. So saying they have been the better 'team' is slightly misleading (McKinnon and Smith have been the stand outs so far).

I actually think the Avalanche have played some really good team defense.

[Galakanokis]

Flames got worked by a more determined team plain and simple. The Flames skill and depth was evident by them almost squeaking that one out but the Avs were about as dominant as a team can be in the playoffs.

Some players need to engage more along the boards and need to be the first one in and not shy away from the contact on puck races. Weird things happened last night when the puck was free in space, players were hesitant and even backed off at times. Didn't like some fly by's, that cannot happen in the playoffs.

Good lesson for the Flames here. The playoffs are a different beast and you need to step up your game. Didn't care for Smith's quote, sounded like some on the team thought this might be easy and it looked like it to me. Way too many shifts off.

Things to work on but nothing that's not easily fixed.

[Rubicant]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

Flames got worked by a more determined team plain and simple. The Flames skill and depth was evident by them almost squeaking that one out but the Avs were about as dominant as a team can be in the playoffs.

Some players need to engage more along the boards and need to be the first one in and not shy away from the contact on puck races. Weird things happened last night when the puck was free in space, players were hesitant and even backed off at times. Didn't like some fly by's, that cannot happen in the playoffs.

Good lesson for the Flames here. The playoffs are a different beast and you need to step up your game. Didn't care for Smith's quote, sounded like some on the team thought this might be easy and it looked like it to me. Way too many shifts off.

Things to work on but nothing that's not easily fixed.

Could not agree more with any of this. The playoffs are a battle, get in the fight or get out of the way.

[flambers]

Went the game, had lots of fun...

Flames however were terrible....

Avalanche controlled the entire game

What an awesome game from Mike Smith

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I actually think the Avalanche have played some really good team defense.

I agree, but the Flames have also been making it easier on them than they should be. If the Flames press more and go to the net more, I think the team defense will start to look pretty vulnerable.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Rubicant

Could not agree more with any of this. The playoffs are a battle, get in the fight or get out of the way.

There hasn't been many times this year that I thought the Flames had some passengers but I did tonight. Flames almost won but they still deserve a lot of criticisms for that game, it wasn't good.

I will give the Avs credit for responding after game 1 now we will see what the Flames have. We know there is another gear there. Can they find it and maintain it is the question.

Monday cannot come soon enough.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I agree, but the Flames have also been making it easier on them than they should be. If the Flames press more and go to the net more, I think the team defense will start to look pretty vulnerable.

It seems the NHL kind if figured out how to make things difficult for the Flames top line after the all star break. The quick transition is being taken away so has the cross-ice passed down low on the powerplay and in the offensive zone.
Bednar had a good first two games using the blueprint so the Flames are either going to need the other lines to step up with scoring as they did at times down the stretch or the first line is going to have to start working harder and playing smarter.

[Beninho]

The flames need to seriously consider using Valimaki, I’m guessing Brodie will not be coming out so that means it will have to be Fantenberg (whose been fine). Flames need some extra offence from the blue-line and transition the puck quicker. Avs are going to put Makar in, let’s get our boy in there as well. I’ve seen more than enough evidence that Valimaki is top 4 on this team defensively. Would be dumb to not use him over Fantenberg or Brodie imo, age be damned.

I’m concerned that the Flames stay with Brodie and Fantenberg and the Avs match their top line against them. Neither play defence like Valimaki and they could easily get overrun against that line.

Flames, please use your defensive depth and make a change. I wouldn’t be against getting 2 fresh bodies in on defence


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Robo]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Exactly this, Rasmus decision to chip the puck to Brodie there was the catalyst for that goal. You don’t chip the puck to your partner when the opposing player is already skating towards and is a stride away from Brodie, who is on the blue line. It was as weak of a play by Rasmus as it was a bad attempt to keep the puck in from Brodie.

Brodie has to learn how to play those bounces man he eithier has terrible hand eye control or he just doesnt think the game fast enough to put his body in front of the puck because that happens to him all the freaking time

[browna]

Able to watch the extended highlights. Being at the game with a lot going on, it’s tough to see some subtle plays with people standing etc.

JG in OT had 2 Avs go to him, and Mono wide open in the slot. So many times in the reg season he’d make a pass back across. Instead he fired this one into the chest of the goalie, but Mono would’ve had an open net.
With all the hubbub around Frolik’s chance and the excellent save, it was hard to see how the puck went the other way for MacKinnon’s goal. By the time I could see, I just saw him go in on half breakaway, and assumed a defenseman made a bad read st some point.

But no, that was all Backlund. In position with McKinnoon at the redline or so, and then coasted and just let him go.

Smith made as many quality saves as he did Game 1, but they weren’t quite as spectacular. The save on the half breakaway from Landeskog was as good as he saved in game 1, and many other saves which were in close, sneaky shots thst were very good saves.

[442scotty]

It seems that the skilled softer teams in the playoffs are taking a beating. I’m annoyed at the effort from some of the flames players. I can’t imagine how the Tampa fans are feeling. Screw Tampa but a few of the Flames need to up their grit game!

[transplant99]

Yeah went to the game as well...kudos Calgary as it was a hell of an atmosphere. That part was awesome.

The majority of the team seemed to be a half step/second behind the Avs for most of the night. That Avs cycle is pretty impressive when they get it going and they are also really good off the rush depending on the forward group.

Defensively the Flames were a tire fire as a team at times. It was a bloody shooting gallery but thankfully Smith is playing very big right now which forced a lot of missed shots. That is not a good sign. Peters has some work to do to get them back on the same page.

Bennett was outstanding though...dude really is a different player thus far in the post season. Not sure what that translates as far as a new deal, but he is fun to watch right now. That no look pass was outstanding.

Smith is absolutely locked in. Playing as well as anyone in the game right now in goal and looks like a different guy than even 2 months ago. He too is fun to watch but wish we didn't have to see him so often.

Brodie though? Awful. Just awful. People will talk about the horrible decision at the blue line and then whatever it was he did with his stick and the lamest tackle attempt in the history of sports. But that wasn't even the biggest issue. He was coughing up the puck and getting out worked all over the ice....and repeatedly put other guys in bad positions. Seriously this was rookie level stuff and bad rookie at that.

Neal has to either take a night off or just be very limited in ice time. Just not engaged nor thinking things very well.

The rest of them were average IMO...and average doesnt win this time of year.

[868904]

Originally Posted by browna

JG in OT had 2 Avs go to him, and Mono wide open in the slot. So many times in the reg season he’d make a pass back across. Instead he fired this one into the chest of the goalie, but Mono would’ve had an open net.
With all the hubbub around Frolik’s chance and the excellent save, it was hard to see how the puck went the other way for MacKinnon’s goal. By the time I could see, I just saw him go in on half breakaway, and assumed a defenseman made a bad read st some point

But no, that was all Backlund. In position with McKinnoon at the redline or so, and then coasted and just let him go.

No one was going to catch Mackinnion, it didn’t matter if Backlund was even with him at the redline. This guy is the best player in the game for me. I take him over McDavid any day and given the age and size, I even take him over Crosby. Mackinnion was the wildcard in this series for me. I knew he was fully capable of winning this series on his own and if the Flames don’t step it up, he will.

Damn I wish Sakic took Feasters offer of the 3 first rounders for the first overall.

[Sylvanfan]

As good as MacKinnon was if the Flames didnt let Compher and Nietto score....hes off the score sheet
again. Lindholm has little offensive confidence right now. Plays are dying on his stick because hes going wide rather than going to the net or getting off a quick shot.

[dsavillian]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

60% of this thread is asinine

I take the over

[2macinnis2]

Originally Posted by 868904

No one was going to catch Mackinnion, it didn’t matter if Backlund was even with him at the redline. This guy is the best player in the game for me. I take him over McDavid any day and given the age and size, I even take him over Crosby. Mackinnion was the wildcard in this series for me. I knew he was fully capable of winning this series on his own and if the Flames don’t step it up, he will.

Damn I wish Sakic took Feasters offer of the 3 first rounders for the first overall.

I get it, he’s awesome. But one non-goalie shouldn’t win a playoff series against a very good deep team.

The coaches can stand around and watch their team get beaten by a great player, like Crawford in Van did in 04. But this series probably hinges on Peters finding some formula to take away their best player.

[RM14]

Originally Posted by CrazyCaper

Did all I could. Was cheering all game from 218. No voice today. Still shocked watching that "embellishment" call on Johmny live. I thought there was gonna be a riot in my section.

What row? I'm in 218 and the people behind us keep saying sit down, even though everyone in front of us is standing.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by 2macinnis2

I get it, he’s awesome. But one non-goalie shouldn’t win a playoff series against a very good deep team.

The coaches can stand around and watch their team get beaten by a great player, like Crawford in Van did in 04. But this series probably hinges on Peters finding some formula to take away their best player.

This series hinges on the Flames simply playing up to their potential. We saw it in game 1, where their depth and forecheck took over in the 2nd and 3rd periods, and the Avs had no answer for it.

We saw a short glimpse of it again in OT last night, where the Flames outshot the Avs 7-2 and came within one shot of winning it. Flames are the superior team, and as long as they can find a way to bring their A game for 60 minutes instead of 20 or 40, I still think they win this series in 5 or 6. MacKinnon is good, no question. But the Flames, when they play like we know they can, are better. They need to show that in games 3 and 4, and I have full confidence that they will.