The Flames are the better team. They were all season.
I’m not sure what is going on, but again the mental side of the game is creeping in. When the Flames played Dallas I never felt concerned because the players never indicated they were concerned. They were workmanlike and continued to play there way and eventually won. I’m not sensing that with the Oilers. Suddenly they get torched and are doubting everything that got them here.
Hard to stop the best player on earth playing at a level I have rarely seen before, he is full out every shift, his forecheck on Hanifin stripping the puck from him and creating a chance from that is evidence that our team is either over matched or not playing with enough pace/executing with pace. The Oilers speed is giving our D a lot of problems. The eye test definitely matched the analytics with Gudbranson and Kylington, they had a rough game
Not overly hopeful with the combination of 97 at a generational level, our most important defenseman out, and what seems like a bit of a mismatch overall for the Flames. Honestly if the Flames lose this series there really isn’t much shame in it as I haven’t witnessed such a performance by a single player like what I am seeing with McDavid. Hats off to him, it sickens me that he is an Oiler but my god he is essentially unstoppable right now.
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Both in his defending and impact on Kylington obviously, but his quick passing to the forwards is sorely missed.
Check out the highlights from the 9-5 game vs Edmonton this season:
1:10 Tanev starts the attack with a quick pass, then joins it for his goal.
3:08 Tanev turns a rebound opportunity into a Gaudreau breakway with an incredible breakout pass, turns into Kylington's goal.
4:13 Tanev reads the turnover, swoops in and sends a bankpass up for Gaudreau to skate into and the Tkachuk goal.
His breakout passes are a really underrated skillset on this team, without him our attack is much slower and easier to stop.
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So what is the deal with Kylington and falling down (Mangi as well)? Skating style? Poor leg strength? Unusual skate blade? Something the skating coach has them doing?
The Flames as a team seem to fall down a lot more than other teams I’ve been watching. If we made it a drinking game (take a shot every time a player falls) I feel I wouldn’t make it out of the first period.
Both in his defending and impact on Kylington obviously, but his quick passing to the forwards is sorely missed.
Check out the highlights from the 9-5 game vs Edmonton this season:
1:10 Tanev starts the attack with a quick pass, then joins it for his goal.
3:08 Tanev turns a rebound opportunity into a Gaudreau breakway with an incredible breakout pass, turns into Kylington's goal.
4:13 Tanev reads the turnover, swoops in and sends a bankpass up for Gaudreau to skate into and the Tkachuk goal.
His breakout passes are a really underrated skillset on this team, without him our attack is much slower and easier to stop.
No doubt the Flames miss Tanev, but they repeated the same feat in game 1 without him.
IMO they're back to letting McDavid into their heads - playing fearful defence, which just doesn't work. And the truth is, Draisaitl hasn't been near 100% despite the points he's gotten, so things could be even worse.
I think McDavid is simply going to dictate half of how this series is played, so the Flames just need to beat him at his own game. The result in game 1 is what the Flames want: 4 points for McDavid, but make him a minus player anyway.
So is this post. Don't tell fans how they are supposed to react after a total ass whooping at the hand of their hated rival. Post about the team or don't post. Nobody wants to hear this crap after last night's game.
So you're going to play Backlund 28 minutes and the Lindholm line what 13?
And you're not seeing that as disruptive?
When the guy you want to shut down plays half a game you really can't line match.
Yeah. When you're the best player on the planet, and you can play 50-60% more minutes that any other forward, maybe you deserve to win a series or two.
So what is the deal with Kylington and falling down (Mangi as well)? Skating style? Poor leg strength? Unusual skate blade? Something the skating coach has them doing?
The Flames as a team seem to fall down a lot more than other teams I’ve been watching. If we made it a drinking game (take a shot every time a player falls) I feel I wouldn’t make it out of the first period.
So I’ll admit 5 of the previous 6 periods the Flames looked lost, on their heels and not controlling or dictating play or pace at all, but instead they are attempting to react. That’s a recipe for disaster.
What I won’t/can’t buy is that the Flames can’t or won’t have an answer. Say what you want, but this is all about executing their game one shift at a time.
They can simplify and go out and execute or over complicate and get beat attempting to react to the Oilers.
Obviously one period will not cut it, so consistency in game 4 is vital.
I think Sutter, Huska, and Muller can keep the players loose and focused, but we all understand that the players have to execute.
No sag, play smart, disciplined hockey and take control of the game a period at a time.
I would think that both players have a a one of the quad profiles to give them the edge or at the very least a zuperior. Usually that will give way to having a rocker that helps adapt to their game/skating style.
Flames had nothing particularly challenging last night
He made one good save on the Tkachuk rebound, which Matt shoveled in his glove, and then returned to classic belly flop on Kylington’s goal
He completely ducked on the shot like a gun went off. This isn’t a elite guy.
The issue is back to what Bingo said. You cannot change to match a guy who plays 26 mins a night. You need to exploit it. He’s not a perfect player, he's the best offensive player with below average 2 way play.
What we don’t have is a way to neutralize and flip back to burry chances. That’s on the first line. In game 1 they actually did it well and they dropped 9 goals, same with game before.
Not asking for 9 again just that he’s exploitable and a liability. You just have to stop the wow factor and play structured and you’ll win.
Man this place is kinda lame sometimes. It's like people didn't learn anything from the doom and gloom in the last series. It's the end of the world again because the Flames are down 2 games to 1.
Maybe it because this team hasn't gone on a playoff run for years, but playoff hockey has crazy momentum swings in series most of the time. I'll let the series play out before I start thrashing everything about the Flames.
Dallas didn’t have two of the best players to ever play the game on their roster. I want to be optimistic but this is looking very grim from the Flames.
Fact check McDavid is not playing any more than any other #1C in the playoffs
McDavid's Ice time against the Flames
game 1 that the Flames won 25:33 Total 19:26 ES and the oilers were chasing from the 6 minute mark.
game 2 total 21:30 ES 12:25 He was a plus 3 in 12:25
game 3 total 20:28 ES 13:18 plus 4 in 13:18
Last year the Jets line matched and had Morrisey and Demelo on the ice with him at ES almost all the time. McDavid was -1 in 4 games and the Jets swept them.
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
Exp:
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDutch
He completely ducked on the shot like a gun went off. This isn’t a elite guy.
The issue is back to what Bingo said. You cannot change to match a guy who plays 26 mins a night. You need to exploit it. He’s not a perfect player, he's the best offensive player with below average 2 way play.
What we don’t have is a way to neutralize and flip back to burry chances. That’s on the first line. In game 1 they actually did it well and they dropped 9 goals, same with game before.
Not asking for 9 again just that he’s exploitable and a liability. You just have to stop the wow factor and play structured and you’ll win.
EDIT: Also, Woodcroft isn’t Bowman 2.0 either.
I dont understand where this narrative is coming from.
He is averaging 22 minutes a game thus far.
Lindholm is almost 21.
And yes, McDavid as in fact elevated his 2 way game unfortunately.
That being said, you have the horses on the Flames to at least neutralize him at ES, but just havent done so.
He needs a shadow....no idea who that is, but its the Gretzky conundrum all over again 40 years later. Bob Jonson figured it out by using a couple different guys.
Darryls turn.
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Hard to stop the best player on earth playing at a level I have rarely seen before, he is full out every shift, his forecheck on Hanifin stripping the puck from him and creating a chance from that is evidence that our team is either over matched or not playing with enough pace/executing with pace. The Oilers speed is giving our D a lot of problems. The eye test definitely matched the analytics with Gudbranson and Kylington, they had a rough game
Not overly hopeful with the combination of 97 at a generational level, our most important defenseman out, and what seems like a bit of a mismatch overall for the Flames. Honestly if the Flames lose this series there really isn’t much shame in it as I haven’t witnessed such a performance by a single player like what I am seeing with McDavid. Hats off to him, it sickens me that he is an Oiler but my god he is essentially unstoppable right now.
He was spectacular in the 2 elimination games over the LA Kings. The Kings were playing without their best D-man Doughty and a top-6 forward arvidsson.
In the 3 games the Kings won they handled McDavid ES. He was -1 with 1 goal and 1 assist at ES for the 3 games the Kings won.
Fact check McDavid is not playing any more than any other #1C in the playoffs
McDavid's Ice time against the Flames
game 1 that the Flames won 25:33 Total 19:26 ES and the oilers were chasing from the 6 minute mark.
game 2 total 21:30 ES 12:25 He was a plus 3 in 12:25
game 3 total 20:28 ES 13:18 plus 4 in 13:18
Last year the Jets line matched and had Morrisey and Demelo on the ice with him at ES almost all the time. McDavid was -1 in 4 games and the Jets swept them.
This series has had way more penalty calls and minutes away from five on five.
With that you get less pie to separate.
Through three games McDavid has been on the ice for 35.5% of the five on five minutes.
So your fact check is irrelevant because it doesn't tell the whole story.
If you match Backlund against McDavid he would get 35.5% of the five on five ice leaving 64.5% for three centers.
McDavid playing anywhere above say 27% of the five on five ice means one guy can't be the match up.
I dont understand where this narrative is coming from.
He is averaging 22 minutes a game thus far.
Lindholm is almost 21.
And yes, McDavid as in fact elevated his 2 way game unfortunately.
That being said, you have the horses on the Flames to at least neutralize him at ES, but just havent done so.
He needs a shadow....no idea who that is, but its the Gretzky conundrum all over again 40 years later. Bob Jonson figured it out by using a couple different guys.
Darryls turn.
As I replied below it's a % issue.
With so many penalties called it's not the total five on five ice time it's the percentage of it.
A guy that plays 36% of the five on five minutes can't be matched by one guy.
