[GT] Flames @ Stars

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Trying to think of one decent skater. Hamonic? Andersson?

Lindholm.

[Kovaz]

Couple things I've noticed:

Ice looks absolutely brutal. We had the puck bounce on us a bunch in the first 5 minutes or so, and we've been hesitant ever since. Our offensive game relies heavily on puck movement, which doesn't work when the puck is bouncing on you, and we don't have much of a plan B.

Strategically, the Stars seem to pressure the puck carrier really aggressively, but they leave guys open on the weak side. Problem is when the ice isn't good, those passes get much harder to make. Offensively, they keep their puck movement really simple. I started watching for it, and I didn't see them attempt any of the cross-seam saucer passes that we rely on.

The Stars are also a big team, and they've been winning most of the 50/50 battles in this game. Having Bennett, Neal, Frolik, and Stone out of the lineup really hurts us in a game like this where the grindy battles in the corners are more important than zipping passes around in the neutral zone.

So my theory is that the Stars game works much better on bad ice than ours does, but on good ice they can be exposed with crisp puck movement and seam passes. Could explain why they're dominant at home and terrible on the road.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Not in my opinion

Ferland was a better player than you thought.

[Flash Walken]

Having stone out of the lineup doesn't hurt at all

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Ferland was a better player than you thought.

Who?

[LWcrowfoot]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Neither are better than Dube.

True but I think it's important to have him down in the AHL a bit. Don't want to stagnate that offence too much.

Czarnik is.. terrible. Hasn't impressed in the regular season at all. Fine with the experiment to sign him and see some potential but it's over. AHL talent. Low on the depth chart to start and being passed by others easily.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Trying to think of one decent skater. Hamonic? Andersson?

Kylington's had some positive moments IMO.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Backs looks so young there.

[Cube Inmate]

Ryan Leslie just referred to a "pers closenal friend" of Backlund. At least there's something to like in this broadcast.

[LWcrowfoot]

oh sup frida

[CroFlames]

Wow I love Swedish people.


Backs is such a gem.

[direwolf]

Backs is a solid human being. Glad he's part of this team.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by LWcrowfoot

True but I think it's important to have him down in the AHL a bit. Don't want to stagnate that offence too much.

Czarnik is.. terrible. Hasn't impressed in the regular season at all. Fine with the experiment to sign him and see some potential but it's over. AHL talent. Low on the depth chart to start and being passed by others easily.

I'm not a big believer in the "send him down to get his offence going" philosophy. They said that with Mangiapane. I believe in playing them in the best level they can play until they get better. I think the NHL is Dube's level.

[the_only_turek_fan]

I need to visit Sweden.

[looooob]

Man Backlund what a guy

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Jore

looks like it's gonna be another shutout tonight. bishop/khudobin never saw an easier one. 6th straight lost against a mediocre team

How bad is it to get shut out when the Blues can’t even get a shutout against the lowly Oilers?

[Moneyhands23]

Just put it on net and get a rebound! 2 fancy

[Pizza]

damnit lindholm, you had the shot on net but you had to pass it right away

[Jeff Lebowski]

Shoot the puck. Moved it well but need to shoot

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I'm always amazed how well Swedes speak English. Backs' wife barely had any accent at all, crazy.