Nice cop out for Lindholm. How about the 8 games of hockey that he has done jackcrap in?
2 straight years where he has checked out in the playoffs minus that monster Game 1 he had against the Avs. Maybe it's time to cut bait.
You are aware that Lindholm plays on the PK and plays a more defensive game than Johnny and Sean right? He has way more on his plate and why he was gassed at the end of game 4.
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It's also where they needed to change the strategy a bit from series to series.
This collapse strategy worked against Winnipeg because their d-men aren't as talented, and either shot into Flames legs or would try to pass down low where the Flames were able to intercept and have numbers.
However giving that much time and space to the pointmen doesn't work when you have Heiskanen, and Klingberg blasting from the point and Pavelski, Perry, and Benn down low causing havoc in the paint.
In the Jets series over the 4 games the corsi attempts leaders on defense for the Jets were Pionk (17), Morrissey (12), Kulikov (11), and none of those three are point shot threats IMO.
For the Stars so far in 4 games the corsi attempts leaders on THE TEAM are Klingberg (38), Heiskanen (25), and Pavelski (22).
So probably want to re-think that "open point" strategy when you have those two guys blasting, and Pavelski who is so good at tips/collecting rebounds standing in front.
I'd like to say exactly this. Huge exposure and allows for too many free shots that can develop down low or even go in. (38) (25) are deadly and Pavelski was are undoing last game.
I understand that but what kind of coaching staff doesn't adjust when the other team is getting 30 shots a game from the point.
Unfortunately, Ward mentioned in the presser the other day that he didn't care about the high shot volume they gave up, because they didn't give up shot quality in the slot.
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"May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy it find glory."
Anything less than 20s in the 3rd and players should be told rules don’t apply. Take 10 minors in the final 20s. Who cares? Why even have a stick? With that much time as a Dman I’m dropping my stick and straight up tackling the puck carrier. I may even pick up the puck and throw it down the ice.
Worst case scenario you get a whistle and face off.
True, players should practice going full kamikazee when the clock is in the final half minute up one. Do anything and everything to keep that puck to the outside and prevent-attack any player in a dangerous spot.
I think the issue is that the Seguin line is much better than any line the Flames have, and the Stars also have two defencemen who are better than any defenceman on the Flames. The Stars have better players.
Unfortunately, Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm does nothing 5 v 5. They are our equivalent of the Seguin line. They are just nowhere near as good.
I think the closest thing the Flames would have to the Seguin line would be Tkachuk’s line. But without Tkachuk, that line is a shadow of itself. You can’t expect to sub Reider for Tkachuk and still have an awesome line.
In the next game, I’d try Ryan with Backlund and Mangiapane and just shorten the bench. 4th line could be Reider, Jankowski, Quine.
Unfortunately, Ward mentioned in the presser the other day that he didn't care about the high shot volume they gave up, because they didn't give up shot quality in the slot.
Not sure if it is unfortunate, exactly.
It’s a strategy that addresses the book on the Flames. They were brutal this season and much of last for the pass from down low, in to the slot, with the goalie having no chance.
Not much time to draw up and practice anything else at this point in time.
I would like to see a bit more pressure on the points.
I think the issue is that the Seguin line is much better than any line the Flames have, and the Stars also have two defencemen who are better than any defenceman on the Flames. The Stars have better players.
Unfortunately, Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm does nothing 5 v 5. They are our equivalent of the Seguin line. They are just nowhere near as good.
I think the closest thing the Flames would have to the Seguin line would be Tkachuk’s line. But without Tkachuk, that line is a shadow of itself. You can’t expect to sub Reider for Tkachuk and still have an awesome line.
In the next game, I’d try Ryan with Backlund and Mangiapane and just shorten the bench. 4th line could be Reider, Jankowski, Quine.
This is the long and short of it, the best handful of Stars are better, or at least currently playing better, than the best handful of Flames.
Flames are scoring opportunistically, Stars are scoring with possession/pressure. That favors the Stars nightly, unfortunately.
Took a couple days to cool down from that one. What a frustrating game.
No question the Flames got absolutely tuned up at 5 v 5 for the second straight game and will need to adjust big time as Rick Bowness' Stars did after game one. Then, right when you think the Flames are on the verge of jumping in a Brinks truck and getting the hell out of there with a win, that disaster happens. What a massive difference being outplayed yet up 3-1 is relative to being outplayed at tied at 2. I had the Flames in six but they will need to play a lot better - or Talbot go into God mode - for that to happen. Every team goes on a few bad two-game stretches during the season so let's hope it's just variance making an appearance.
Three things in the game itself really bugged me though. The officials, and then two poor heat-of-the-moment tactical choices by the Flames.
1. I didn't have a problem with four of the five penalties in a row called on the Flames. The Talbot one I thought was unfortunate but the rest were pretty obvious. However, telling me the Stars went 35 minutes without committing a single hook, hold, interfere, too-many-men, whatever, is garbage. I know the officials are hired and directed to manage the game and further yet the series, not call the rule book, ensuring things remain as close as possible, but come on. That was ridiculous.
2. The players in front of the Flames' net at the end of the game letting the Stars get a rebound shot off. This frustrates me endlessly and it happens a few times a year. With under 30 seconds left, hold if not outright tackle anyone within rebound range. You cannot let them get a scramble chance against your unset goaltender.
If you take a penalty and they score on the short powerplay, you're heading to overtime at even strength anyway. But, for that to happen the other teams needs to first win the draw, then generate a play, and obviously score. The chances of them generating a better chance than a scramble rebound in a short period of time aren't very good. You win the draw clean? Game over. Scrambled draw? Game over. They win the draw clean? They still need to get a good look. Really, there should be enhanced discipline for final-minute penalties but there isn't so take advantage of it!
I always think of this brilliant game-ending play by the Ravens. You don't make the rules so you may as well take advantage of them.
3. Players with broken sticks standing in No Man's Land (in this case the middle of the ice). Get your ass to the bench while someone else jumps on! Or if you really want to stay, get to the boards where you can at least be physical.
I would rather give the other team a 5-second 5 v 4 than a 45-second 5 v 4.5 every time. This is one of those tactical decisions everyone knows you should do, but nobody does because it hasn't been done that way in the past. As soon as one team starts this everyone will follow - like goalie pulls in the past decade. The other team might get off a good shot in those five seconds, but they will definitely get off a good shot in the 45, especially when the stickless player is in the middle of the ice - such an easy isolation play. And if the player stays on, the player has to get to a point man and funnel them to the boards - as soon as you're in open ice your only use is trying to block a shot. Hustle off the ice!
Dube got the attention this time around but earlier in the game, Rieder broke his stick in the offensive zone and tracked all the way back, past the Flames' bench, into the Flames defensive zone without a stick. Thankfully the Stars didn't capitalize on that moment of insanity or I would be in the market for a new remote or possibly TV.
__________________ "I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?" Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
