[Game Takes] Canucks 5 Flames 2

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

When the Flames were rolling in the third their lines were:



Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal

Tkachuk-Backlund-Czarnik

Dube-Ryan-Lindholm

Bennett-Jankowski-Frolik



Will be interesting to see if they keep any of these lines together going forward.

Hopefully the 3M line is done because as much as I love Frolik, he’s nowhere near a top 6 player anymore. Czar and Tkachuk also had great chemistry in the preseason. That lineup owned Vancouver in the 3rd.

I also liked Peters post-game comments. Didn’t let the team make excuses in regards to new system, new players or the China trip. Just said they flat out didn’t execute and they have two more days of practice to work on it. I feel Gully would’ve played the new team/system card as well as Calgary won the Corsi battle and just ran into bad luck or a hot goalie. Already like Peters way more than Gulutzan.

[kman35ca]

I'll just add a small tidbit. As soon as the game started, I noticed right away how slow the Flames looked compared to their preseason games. Looked like they had lead feet. They better start coming out, and playing hard from the 1st minute of the game, till the last minute.
I also, and I hate saying this as It's what a former coach I shall not name said. They look mentally weak, intimidated. Ya it's just the first game, but I'd be a liar if I said I'm not worried that this might be an ongoing weakness of the Flames. You look at other winning teams, and what I see alot is an unshakable confidence, especially in there leaders. Getzlaf, Toews, Doughty, etc.
I think guys like Tchuky have it. Same with Neal and Smith.
Also i know having an enforcer is old school. But say McGratton was still on our team, and totally dummied that tool who hit Dube. I think that changes the game right there. Now if we had a player that can play, and knock heads off. Ala Chara, Big Buff, I think you would see a more confident group overall.
A lot of what might be wrong with this team, might be in there heads. Again it's the first game and I'm just speculating. But it does worry me.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

When the Flames were rolling in the third their lines were:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Tkachuk-Backlund-Czarnik
Dube-Ryan-Lindholm
Bennett-Jankowski-Frolik

Will be interesting to see if they keep any of these lines together going forward.

Hard to say if these lines were working better because of chemistry or because Vancouver had a goal cushion by that point.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Hard to say if these lines were working better because of chemistry or because Vancouver had a goal cushion by that point.

I have a hard time figuring why Frolik was on the 2nd line. He didnt suite up there in preseason and doesnt fit in there. Having Neal or lindholm theres isnt necessary either. I really like Austin Czarnick in that spot.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I have a hard time figuring why Frolik was on the 2nd line. He didnt suite up there in preseason and doesnt fit in there. Having Neal or lindholm theres isnt necessary either. I really like Austin Czarnick in that spot.

I’ve yet to be impressed by Neal who seems to be slow and very average at puck handling. I expected he’d be in the slot waiting for set up passes for his quick release shot. Perhaps it’s more an issue of player usage. The Flames were even trying to use him for zone entry on the power play. Bad idea.

[442scotty]

Time for Frolik to go and insert Mangiapane

[foshizzle11]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but why aren't we getting someone on the PP who can shoot the puck really hard in a shooting position like Wash does with Ovi? Doesn't Stone have the hardest shot on the team? Why aren't they loading that gun up a bit, at least once in a while or Gio where Ovi goes, he can shoot it pretty hard as well.

I feel that there was just nothing going on the PP, but I feel hard slappers once in a while will at least make those other players hesitate to block some shots when it isn't Johnny or Lindholm taking them.

I'll wait for about 10 games before I think we should make any major changes, but getting a hard shot onto the half wall, on their off wing, would be nice to see. I think it is really lacking right now.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but why aren't we getting someone on the PP who can shoot the puck really hard in a shooting position like Wash does with Ovi? Doesn't Stone have the hardest shot on the team? Why aren't they loading that gun up a bit, at least once in a while or Gio where Ovi goes, he can shoot it pretty hard as well.

I feel that there was just nothing going on the PP, but I feel hard slappers once in a while will at least make those other players hesitate to block some shots when it isn't Johnny or Lindholm taking them.

I'll wait for about 10 games before I think we should make any major changes, but getting a hard shot onto the half wall, on their off wing, would be nice to see. I think it is really lacking right now.

Lindholm worked the Left wing side a lot in pre season. Why they went away from that and have him manning the right point is what is making me scratch my head.

First china game the PP looked dangerous with Lindholm on the LW, Gaudreau on the left point. Sometimes Lindholm would work his way below the goal line and feed Johnny as he cut in for a shot or a cut to the net. Sometimes Lindholm would work his way into the left faceoff circle and get into OV's onetimer spot and do the same thing.

The last two pre season games they changed that. And that change stuck into last night with zero positive effect. I don't know why they thought Lindholm was a good option on the Right point or RW.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Time for Frolik to go and insert Mangiapane

Nah. Frolik isn't 2nd line material but he's still a better hockey player than Mangiapane. If this was a blow-up year maybe you do it to get picks or something, but not because Mangiapane makes your team better than Frolik does.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Lindholm worked the Left wing side a lot in pre season. Why they went away from that and have him manning the right point is what is making me scratch my head.

First china game the PP looked dangerous with Lindholm on the LW, Gaudreau on the left point. Sometimes Lindholm would work his way below the goal line and feed Johnny as he cut in for a shot or a cut to the net. Sometimes Lindholm would work his way into the left faceoff circle and get into OV's onetimer spot and do the same thing.

The last two pre season games they changed that. And that change stuck into last night with zero positive effect. I don't know why they thought Lindholm was a good option on the Right point or RW.

I am going to have to go back and see if I can watch some of those PPs from China. I really hope they make a big adjustment before Saturday's game and don't go back to this. It was horrendous to watch, I don't usually yell at the tv, but I did a lot for this game during power plays.

Can Neal shot the puck hard? Can Monahan? One of these guys has got to be able to one time the puck.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Lindholm worked the Left wing side a lot in pre season. Why they went away from that and have him manning the right point is what is making me scratch my head.

First china game the PP looked dangerous with Lindholm on the LW, Gaudreau on the left point. Sometimes Lindholm would work his way below the goal line and feed Johnny as he cut in for a shot or a cut to the net. Sometimes Lindholm would work his way into the left faceoff circle and get into OV's onetimer spot and do the same thing.

The last two pre season games they changed that. And that change stuck into last night with zero positive effect. I don't know why they thought Lindholm was a good option on the Right point or RW.

One can’t truly use China as a basis for the puck movement on the PP, as it was on international ice. There is just so much more room vs the NHL rinks. I guess we will see what andif there are any adjustments made on Saturday. Ryan should not be on the PP though.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

One can’t truly use China as a basis for the puck movement on the PP, as it was on international ice. There is just so much more room vs the NHL rinks. I guess we will see what andif there are any adjustments made on Saturday. Ryan should not be on the PP though.

Sure you can. With a right shot down low on the left side, the PK box has to open up a little bit more if they want to get sticks in the passing lanes. IOC Ice or NHL. It's not the entire equation to making the PP successful but it is one small part. The off Wing one timer always seems to work better.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sure you can. With a right shot down low on the left side, the PK box has to open up a little bit more if they want to get sticks in the passing lanes. IOC Ice or NHL. It's not the entire equation to making the PP successful but it is one small part. The off Wing one timer always seems to work better.

International ice gives more room to move the puck. Yes your theory makes sense as far as opening up the lanes, that's just common PP knowledge which is taught even on the bantam hockey level. But on international ice, it is always easier to move the puck. Hence the powerplay shifts and moves more when space is more prevalent. Much easier to get one timers off on international ice than NHL ice.

Anytime there is more time and space, the puck will always move faster and create more openings. Hence the China trip showed what seemed to be better puck movement on the PP and also faster gameplay for the guys who could skate.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ also they played their NHL lineup against a half AHL training camp lineup