Quick thoughts on the game at the dome just from what I remember, in no particular order.
Noticed much more puck pressure compared to last year, in both the D zone and the O zone. More pinching, and standing up at our blue line more. They played a diamond on the PK which is similar to last year and umbrella on the PP.
Overall was quite a sloppy game in the first which favoured the oilers and then as the play picked up the flames took over completely.
Gio - stud. The best player on the ice.
Brodie - looked rusty, timing was off, few bad giveaways. Not worried.
Engelland - solid. Took a hard shot off the hand at one point.
Wideman - has definitely lost a step, missed the net a few times, meh. Not impressed.
Kylington - very raw. Few bad pinches, looked a bit rushed with the puck. But oozes potential.
Brouwer - I was quite skeptical of this signing but he definitely started making me question that tonight. Big power winger that the flames were lacking. Stuck up for Bennett a few times. Won faceoffs. Smart and poised with the puck. Physical. Had a number of fantastic opportunities. His line dominated almost every shift.
Chiasson - good motor, looks big, plays with an edge. RH. Liked his game, wasn't too noticeable but solid.
Bennett - Snakebit. Looks confident. Made some fantastic passes for good chances. Really excited to see what he can do this year. Noticeably stronger and faster.
Tkachuk - had a few moments but looked lost. First few steps are quite slow especially with the puck and got separated from the puck quite easily. It was his first game of course. Mucked it up a few times. Got speared I guess which I missed but he tried to fight the guy. At one point Kassian was giving him a hard time lining up for a draw and Gio, Brouwer and Engelland all came over. Kassian got chirped hard next time he went by the flames bench.
Stajan - fine. He was Stajan.
Tuulola - looks and plays big. Soft hands on a few plays. Was noticeable in a good way.
Dube - mostly noticeable positively. Few giveaways. Fast and good hands.
Elliott - tracks puck very well. Calm and confident and made good saves all night. Puck handling was average at best. We got a goalie!
Macdonald - I'm sorry but he just does not look good in any way.
Klimchuk - was noticeable. In a bad way. Plays died on his stick, turned it over a lot, poor passes. I don't see him playing in the NHL.
Shinkaruk - played a pretty solid game, few good plays, more physical than I remembered.
Gaudreau - wasn't there
That's all I can think of ... just one preseason game of course!
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