[Game Takes] Penguins 9 Flames 1

[Jeff Lebowski]

I agree that not having Hamilton isn’t the reason for poor play. Perhaps it’s an over confidence in the depth - they feel they are very skilled and don’t have to work.

I think once they buy into notion that playing hard defensively will actually create more offensive chances they will play to their potential.

To me it’s a work rate question right now. They need to answer that challenge.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

I agree that not having Hamilton isn’t the reason for poor play. Perhaps it’s an over confidence in the depth - they feel they are very skilled and don’t have to work.

I think once they buy into notion that playing hard defensively will actually create more offensive chances they will play to their potential.

To me it’s a work rate question right now. They need to answer that challenge.

I would only add it is about work rate and effort when they don't have the puck or are not in the offensive zone

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by burnitdown

The bolded part is concerning - it never did happen in Carolina so we only hope it will happen here. That was the big risk with hiring him over a more proven coach with success at the NHL level...

Peters teams were high corsi splits and middling high danger against clubs, not bottom of the pile so this is different.

Plus no coach was saddled with less payroll over the last three years than Peters so that's a factor.

I don't think the hire is an issue. I'm guessing he's as pissed as fans are

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Peters teams were high corsi splits and middling high danger against clubs, not bottom of the pile so this is different.

Plus no coach was saddled with less payroll over the last three years than Peters so that's a factor.

I don't think the hire is an issue. I'm guessing he's as pissed as fans are

How would you explain how that same team with a bottom of the barrel payroll now looks hugely improved the very same season Peters leaves?

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

How would you explain how that same team with a bottom of the barrel payroll now looks hugely improved the very same season Peters leaves?

Carolina is not the same team as when Peters left.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Peters teams were high corsi splits and middling high danger against clubs, not bottom of the pile so this is different.

Plus no coach was saddled with less payroll over the last three years than Peters so that's a factor.

I don't think the hire is an issue. I'm guessing he's as pissed as fans are

He can be mad all he wants. I remember one guy kicked the crap out of a garbage can. And he didn’t work out as a coach here

Mind you, some people staunchly stood by him

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

How would you explain how that same team with a bottom of the barrel payroll now looks hugely improved the very same season Peters leaves?

Hugely improved? They're 5-3.

Does that mean 3 days ago you thought the Flames were hugely improved?

[2macinnis2]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

One thing that should be getting more attention is the special teams.

Good teams have over 100% combined PP and PK. with 14.6% and 72.2% respectively, that gives the Flames a combined 86.8. so far thats a step back from last season. Its early and lots of time to fix the special teams but we need to see some results soon.

Absolutely. With better special teams this is probably a 7-3 team right now.

It cannot be overstated how much it has hurt momentum and changed the course of games to this point.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

He can be mad all he wants. I remember one guy kicked the crap out of a garbage can. And he didn’t work out as a coach here

Mind you, some people staunchly stood by him

Is that a poke at me?

Gulutzan is thrown to the wolves here, I'm not joining that parade as his teams were better than he's given credit for.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Is that a poke at me?

Gulutzan is thrown to the wolves here, I'm not joining that parade as his teams were better than he's given credit for.

Nope, not a poke.

It was Brent that beat up the garbage can.

I don’t care if Peters does or does not get mad, I want to see him identify and fix the problems and equip the team to succeed.

[DoubleK]

Maybe he should helicopter his stick into the stands today during what should be a good ol bag skate.

[Bingo]

So today on Calgarypuck

- captain is no good
- Smith is the new Elliott, Neal is the new Brouwer
- Treliving feeling the heat topic resurrected
- a 25 year retrospective on doom

oh and ...

- nobody is going to the games and we will end up Ottawa

Did I miss anything? Any wonder people get annoyed with ditch to ditch hockey fans?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

So today on Calgarypuck

- captain is no good
- Smith is the new Elliott, Neal is the new Brouwer
- Treliving feeling the heat topic resurrected
- a 25 year retrospective on doom

oh and ...

- nobody is going to the games and we will end up Ottawa

Did I miss anything? Any wonder people get annoyed with ditch to ditch hockey fans?

if the 25 years thread should've illustrated anything to you it's that the Fans should probably just stay in the one ditch and never come out.

[DoubleK]

Clearly there is something wrong with me as I just watched the condensed game on YouTube.

Being at the game, I was ok with how the first period went up until the point Rast scored.

Sid, did a Sid thing and the Pittsburgh PP scored a good PP goal. Heading to the second period down by 2 isn't the end of the world.

Something changed after Rast scored. It was almost like the game ended then.

I said it last night and I'll say it again, I just don't get what's wrong with this team. It doesn't make sense.

[Igottago]

Lots of overreaction today, but it was a bad loss. We all know these random drubbings happen from time to time. I'm actually glad it happened early this season. I actually don't think this season has been some sort of disaster so far, I like quite a bit of what I've seen from the team, particularly going forward with the puck. The team has a lot of weapons offensively. Defense has been a concern and its legit to wonder if they are coping with the loss of Hamilton.

The first goal last night set the tone. Smith has to be way better. He hasn't been good enough this season.

The two most interesting things to me right now are how does Smith get back into form and what does Peters do in reaction to his first real adversity behind the bench. I suspect the Flames will have a way better effort against the Caps.

Overall I'm not in panic mode right now, but another stinker might get me there.

[Toonage]

Perspective?

Last year the Penguins lost the following games in October

10-1 to Chicago
7-1 to Tampa
7-1 to Winnipeg

#### happens.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Perspective?

Last year the Penguins lost the following games in October

10-1 to Chicago
7-1 to Tampa
7-1 to Winnipeg

#### happens.

Yes, absolutely. But much easier to swallow as a fan on the heels of 3 Stanley Cup championship seasons, no?

[Toonage]

Sure, but the point being that this happens to all teams. Even the best.

I'm trying to cheer people up. Help a guy out.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Sure, but the point being that this happens to all teams. Even the best.

I'm trying to cheer people up. Help a guy out.

Ha, yeah. Sorry.

Still lots of time in this season, we start from square 1 at .500. See if Rittich can carry this team. Gonna try to be optimistic.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I actually don't think this season has been some sort of disaster so far

it hasn't. They've had a few really good games and beat a couple of really good teams, now they've had a couple of stinkers. With a new coaching staff and lots of new players, it's not surprising either.

Way too much overreacting today. Yeah, it was an ugly loss, but the sky isn't falling. Not that I'm surprised by the doom and gloom threads questioning everybody and everything.