[GDT] CALGARY FLAMES (17-8-6) at TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (22-8-5) 5 p.m. MT

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

What exactly about our bottom 6 is a joke to you?

We have 1 player who will be around 40 points and another that will likely exceed 20 goals playing in our bottom 6. Monahan and Lucic. Dube is also no slouch. Or alternately one of those three is in the top 6 and you have Blake coleman in the bottom 6.

Are you talking about Lewis and Richardson specifically? They have been fine, not complain worthy and definitely not a joke.

Some people think the top six needs to be six all stars, and the bottom six needs to be six top six players.

There was a comment in the Panthers PGT that the Flames need three more top six forwards to be competitive.

I can’t even with these people

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Backlund can start his second half surge any time. He's not been very good this season and I see signs of decline in his game.

Shouldn’t we at least wait for the second half to begin?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by heep223

Some people think the top six needs to be six all stars, and the bottom six needs to be six top six players.

There was a comment in the Panthers PGT that the Flames need three more top six forwards to be competitive.

I can’t even with these people

One of the long standing givens in my now 22 years with this site (or 25 including the previous one) is a certain percentage of the fan base will always hate the third pairing and the fourth line.

To me it's a matter of not seeing the bigger picture, they're down the roster for a reason, they're not supposed to be as good as the other pairings and lines.

But that's not to say you can't improve the fourth line, which is where the Pelletier talk is coming from. Is he ready? Are you rushing him? Are you delaying him? No easy answers to those questions.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Bingo

One of the long standing givens in my now 22 years with this site (or 25 including the previous one) is a certain percentage of the fan base will always hate the third pairing and the fourth line.

To me it's a matter of not seeing the bigger picture, they're down the roster for a reason, they're not supposed to be as good as the other pairings and lines.

But that's not to say you can't improve the fourth line, which is where the Pelletier talk is coming from. Is he ready? Are you rushing him? Are you delaying him? No easy answers to those questions.

It's fine to say that our bottom 6 could use a jolt of energy from an exciting young prospect. In fact I would say that's almost obvious. But stating things like "our bottom 6 is a joke" is just patently false and outrageously stupid.

[GioforPM]

I wonder what Coleman will bring in this game. Return to TB and all that…

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bingo

One of the long standing givens in my now 22 years with this site (or 25 including the previous one) is a certain percentage of the fan base will always hate the third pairing and the fourth line.

To me it's a matter of not seeing the bigger picture, they're down the roster for a reason, they're not supposed to be as good as the other pairings and lines.

But that's not to say you can't improve the fourth line, which is where the Pelletier talk is coming from. Is he ready? Are you rushing him? Are you delaying him? No easy answers to those questions.

The problem with the Flames IMO is that they don't have a 2nd line. They have a 1st line, 2 x 3rd lines, and a 4th line. Right now it's all about the 1st line for the Flames when it comes to scoring as you just don't know what you are going to get out of the other lines especially now that Mangiapane has slowed down.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The problem with the Flames IMO is that they don't have a 2nd line. They have a 1st line, 2 x 3rd lines, and a 4th line. Right now it's all about the 1st line for the Flames when it comes to scoring as you just don't know what you are going to get out of the other lines especially now that Mangiapane has slowed down.

This seems about right.. unfortunately it also reminds me that BT tried to address this and we should have Kadri and Mangiapane anchoring our 2nd line. Ugh

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The problem with the Flames IMO is that they don't have a 2nd line. They have a 1st line, 2 x 3rd lines, and a 4th line. Right now it's all about the 1st line for the Flames when it comes to scoring as you just don't know what you are going to get out of the other lines especially now that Mangiapane has slowed down.

They are inching up the points from top three players / points from all players metric.

Now 7th at 37%. League average is 33.4%

1. Oilers 44%
2. Hawks 40%
3. Caps 40%
4. Canucks 38%
5. Rangers 38%
6. Coyotes 37%
7. Flames 37%
8. Sharks 36%
9. Senators 36%
10. Bruins 36%

In terms of top 6 point getters Calgary is ranked 9th.

Not all that alarming if the top line is above average I guess. The team is ranked 11th in goals per game all situations.

[Kovaz]

Saw this on r/hockey today (top lines by expected goal differential):

Spoiler!

If scoring outside the top line continues to be a struggle, I think putting Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman back together makes a ton of sense and gives us an excellent top 6. If we can get some consistent production out of a 2nd line, we'll be totally fine with a bottom 6 that produces nothing and gives up nothing.

[HighLifeMan]

Trevor Lewis (0)
Tyler Pitlick (0)
Brett Ritchie (0)
Sean Monahan (2)
Brad Richardson (2)
Mikael Backlund (3)
Dillon Dube (3)

These seven players have combined for a grand total of just 10 five on five goals this season over 31 games in roughly 2000 minutes of hockey.

I don't know how that stacks up league wide - but the secondary scoring on this team is certainly a large concern.

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

Trevor Lewis (0)
Tyler Pitlick (0)
Brett Ritchie (0)
Sean Monahan (2)
Brad Richardson (2)
Mikael Backlund (3)
Dillon Dube (3)

These seven players have combined for a grand total of just 10 five on five goals this season over 31 games in roughly 2000 minutes of hockey.

I don't know how that stacks up league wide - but the secondary scoring on this team is certainly a large concern.

to be fair, Ritchie has only played 10 games and Pitlick has missed a few but yes could use more from these guys....also, they've scored a few more if you count all their goals.

[zztim81]

It was in.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

Trevor Lewis (0)
Tyler Pitlick (0)
Brett Ritchie (0)
Sean Monahan (2)
Brad Richardson (2)
Mikael Backlund (3)
Dillon Dube (3)

These seven players have combined for a grand total of just 10 five on five goals this season over 31 games in roughly 2000 minutes of hockey.

I don't know how that stacks up league wide - but the secondary scoring on this team is certainly a large concern.

Where is Lucic...and I would say most teams have a list like this. Three goal Lomberg was the one that got away last game.

[MrMike]

High scoring game, with the Flames pulling out a 9-6 win. Hat tricks from Iginla and Huselius.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

Trevor Lewis (0)
Tyler Pitlick (0)
Brett Ritchie (0)
Sean Monahan (2)
Brad Richardson (2)
Mikael Backlund (3)
Dillon Dube (3)

These seven players have combined for a grand total of just 10 five on five goals this season over 31 games in roughly 2000 minutes of hockey.

I don't know how that stacks up league wide - but the secondary scoring on this team is certainly a large concern.

Dube at 3 is surprising on this list because yes he has kind of struggled but I didn't realize how much. I feel like he has had a bazillion chances though just can't convert.

Backlund has been capital 'B' Brutal. Just brutal. And to me it's an effort thing. Although I will admit last game I watched in Chicago he was slightly better. In Seattle he was coasting like crazy.

[direwolf]

Please just win.

[GioforPM]

Lewis has no 5-5 goals but he does have a nice shorty.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I wonder what Coleman will bring in this game. Return to TB and all that…

If the last game was a sneak peak of what is to come I predict a hat trick tonight

[Vinny01]

Last time Darryl was behind the Flames bench against Tampa was game 7 of the 2004 SCF

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Last time Darryl was behind the Flames bench against Tampa was game 7 of the 2004 SCF

Unfinished business, part 1!

I never thought of this, and now I'm excited again