[GDT] Toronto Maple Leafs @ Calgary Flames 7p.m (MDT) SNW

[GioforPM]

It’s impossible to me to cheer for a loss when all games are against them likes of Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver. Just can’t do it.

[Toonage]

This team as constructed just can't play Sutter hockey. Which makes the off season changes even more fascinating to watch for.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

As many have said, I've given up on playoffs completely at this point.

But with that change in mentality now I'm just hoping for fun games and wins, and honestly whenever Markstrom plays I'm rooting for him to find his game again to go into next season feeling better. We absolutely need him as part of our long-term solution.

By the way what are people's thoughts on Sutter's results? TSN had an interesting segment that basically said we've regressed in basically every metric, .500 team under Ward and much worse now. 16th PP and below 20th now and etc. I expected growing pains and wasn't too focused on short-term, especially in a
condensed season but fascinating nonetheless.

Just don't think in a season like this that Sutter has/had enough time to really turn this group around.

To me, covid has really stifled any normal opportunity Sutter to really get his mitts on the group.

At this point it's like other people have said, the rest of this season are now just try outs.

And I listened to tree's interview on John Shannon's podcast yesterday and it does sound like they're working together to piece together a map moving forward.

[iamca]

Lose but effort needs to be there.

Not sure when, maybe after the trade deadline, that Calgary can sit some of these guys that aren’t going to be traded this season and let some of the kids get some NHL experience?

Looking for a top 3 pick in the draft and some major core trades this offseason.

Tre has had too long to ice a team that’s competitive and he’s failed.

It all went downhill during that first round embarrassment against Colorado for which I paid to watch game 3 live... what an absolute disaster.


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[PaperBagger'14]

My stance is ill always cheer for wins, but I'm not upset by losses. They both have value right now and with the crapshoot/weak draft this year, I cant be bothered to get excited until puck drop next year

[1qqaaz]

The Flames have usually put up honest efforts against the Leafs this year.

I wouldn't be surprised if Rittich plays well.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by iamca

Lose but effort needs to be there.

Not sure when, maybe after the trade deadline, that Calgary can sit some of these guys that aren’t going to be traded this season and let some of the kids get some NHL experience?...

I am unsure, but am guessing that this is something that would be opposed pretty strongly by the NHLPA.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Looks like both Backlund and Rittich are back in the lineup for The Flames. And Hutchinson with the nod in the Leaf's end.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by dammage79

This is the must win game of the year to keep playoff hopes alive.

Derek, is that you?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am unsure, but am guessing that this is something that would be opposed pretty strongly by the NHLPA.

A team playing one player over another player would be opposed by the PA?

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am cheering for every upcoming UFA on this team to score and look good.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Yes...huge difference.

In this thread...



It means when you turn the game on tonight, you are actively cheering for the opposition. You are actively cheering for the Leafs, or the Oilers or whoever.

Unacceptable and makes one, again by definition, not a fan.

Just my opinion of course, but one I am confident 100% and OK in having.

I'm pretty much with you.

Maybe not to labeling people losers and not being a fan ... but I certainly agree that there is a difference between finding a silver lining in a loss, and actively cheering for the loss.

I wanted Calgary to beat Edmonton, was choked when McDavid scored, but at least in my disappointment I had that silver lining.

And for me the silver lining has two components.

1) Make it crystal clear this is a team that should sell
2) Get a better draft position

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Derek, is that you?

God no. But if the premise is they need to go 17-1 to sniff a playoff spot, then this is it. Lose this one and barring a miracle, we are done...

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by dammage79

God no. But if the premise is they need to go 17-1 to sniff a playoff spot, then this is it. Lose this one and barring a miracle, we are done...

The ultra-optimist would say that winning tonight keeps them alive in the playoff race.

The realist would say the Flames were knocked out of the race several games ago.

[Dion]

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm pretty much with you.

Maybe not to labeling people losers and not being a fan ... but I certainly agree that there is a difference between finding a silver lining in a loss, and actively cheering for the loss.

I wanted Calgary to beat Edmonton, was choked when McDavid scored, but at least in my disappointment I had that silver lining.

And for me the silver lining has two components.

1) Make it crystal clear this is a team that should sell
2) Get a better draft position

I get this.

And I will add that I want to see a win, but when I watch how they play, I understand and expect a loss

Tons of perimeter play, and you can tell that, although Sutter said they wouldn’t change much, the team is clearly being being given guidelines on decision making.

An earlier game, Tkachuk and Lindholm had a 2 on 2. Tkachuk dumped it in the corner

Last game, there was a play where Tkachuk had the puck in the slot, and didn’t even appear to consider directing it at the net, he looked for an open defenseman on the point.

Seems that they have clear guidance on the fallback, when the immediate play isn’t obvious, and are still not playing on their toes

When I see it unfold, I see how they are trying to do things a certain way and why the offence has dried up for now. I expect it will continue for some time, if for no other reason than that I haven’t seen a material improvement in pace and anticipation of what the teammates are doing

[Huntingwhale]

Snoop Dogg was rockin' a retro Flames jersey on his Instagram live stream a couple hours ago. He was smoking nonstop joints and was rapping some wild beats. Because of that I feel good about this game.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

I get this.

And I will add that I want to see a win, but when I watch how they play, I understand and expect a loss

Tons of perimeter play, and you can tell that, although Sutter said they wouldn’t change much, the team is clearly being being given guidelines on decision making.

An earlier game, Tkachuk and Lindholm had a 2 on 2. Tkachuk dumped it in the corner

Last game, there was a play where Tkachuk had the puck in the slot, and didn’t even appear to consider directing it at the net, he looked for an open defenseman on the point.

Seems that they have clear guidance on the fallback, when the immediate play isn’t obvious, and are still not playing on their toes

When I see it unfold, I see how they are trying to do things a certain way and why the offence has dried up for now. I expect it will continue for some time, if for no other reason than that I haven’t seen a material improvement in pace and anticipation of what the teammates are doing

I see a lot of those things too ... but hope for better.

But I haven't been a fan of this team in a long time. I was called a homer by the definition of the most negative poster on this site yesterday, but I'm sure most of you remember I was calling this core flawed and unlikeable before the bubble last year, after the bubble, and to start the season.

They need change.

I hoped for success this year because it's way more fun to watch.

I certainly thought it possible that this season wouldn't go well, but I saw it more as middling and frustrating vs the complete collapse we've seen.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It’s impossible to me to cheer for a loss when all games are against them likes of Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver. Just can’t do it.

No worry

Pretty sure they don’t need your help

[CGY12]

At this point I have no reaction to anything that happens in a Flames game, whether thats a goal, goal against, penalty for, penalty against, big save, etc.
The only aspect of a game I'll actively be engaged in and cheer for is a fight. When Ritchie took out Khaira, that was the highlight of the season for me.

I don't actively cheer for loses but I certainly do want them to lose at this point. Some arbitrary win even against Edmonton, Toronto or Vancouver doesn't do anything for me. At this point I just really hope they get a high pick, it turns into something significant and a new management team can come in and start building towards something special in the future.