Sutter spoke to officiating supervisor

[Azure]

What pisses me off about the 4 on 4 is that he does nothing to stop the penalty parade. Players, especially Dallas players are happy playing like a bunch of pricks trying to get the Flames off their game if they never get punished for it.

Call 1 guy, and the #### stops.

[81MC]

Originally Posted by fire_starter

It also doesn't help that fans expect every hit to be a penalty. All the stupid "ref you suck" chants are getting annoying

This. It’s a ####ty unsportsmanlike thing to do at the best of times. Fans chanting it every time a guy falls down is beyond cringe. STFU and enjoy a game where physicality is allowed. Save that garbage chant for when it’s actually warranted if you’re going to insist on sounding like a bunch of idiots.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by timun

It was Kylington and Raffl in the second period. Raffl grabbed Kylington's shirtsleeve and was goading him to fight, but Kylington just looked at the refs like "WTF?" Eventually an official stepped in and lightly karate-chopped Raffl's wrist to get him to let go, but they both got roughing penalties.

Something similar happened to Mangiapane, too.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

I'd be curious on your take about the team handling the puck like a hand-grenade on the second view. The first two games they seemed completely disjointed offensively and the last game seemed better, but they still appear to have lost the smoothness of their puck possession. They fight so hard to have possession of the puck and then toss it back to the point for a shot with little traffic in front. It's often the same play each time.

Yeah, I would agree with that. I think that, as fans, we want every pass to click, and we're caught up i the excitement of the playoffs too. So it feels like they're fumbling the puck a lot. But I think the truth is that the defending is more high pressure, which makes smooth passing more difficult. I also think that every fanbase would say their team is handling it like a hand grenade.

IMO though, there have been a couple issues with their play. First, a lot of first passes have been poor, which has taken the speed out of their transition game. And second, as you were eluding to, they are not trying the cross-seem pass as much, instead continually throwing it back to the point. I think this is because Dallas has done a great job of defending it. However, you can't just give up, you have to work harder to get those passes through.

How many 2 on 1s have the Flames had in the first 3 games? Five or 6 maybe? The puck carrier has shot every single time. I mean sure, pucks to net is great. But you're up against a goalie who is feeling it, and who has been coming way out on shots. Get the pass across, even just once. That will force him to stay in his net, and will put some uncertainty in his head.

Sorry, starting to ramble now

[Enoch Root]

More on shooting vs passing...

When up against a hot goalie, or when in an offensive slump, the common mantra is to shoot more - gets pucks on net. IMO, this is often self-defeating.

Oettinger is playing great, but I also think the Flames have made it easy for him a lot of the time. They are shooting from everywhere - which is great, as it will create rebounds. But it is also allowing Oettinger to focus on the shooter. IMO, they need to get him moving. They need more cross-seam passes.

Not a single pass attempt on any of the 2 on 1s. Not one.

During the regular season, I would argue that, if anything, the Flames passed too much. Now, nothing. they are not playing their game.

I would like to see some creativity. I think if they can click on a couple passes, and get a nice goal, they'll be off to the races.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

More on shooting vs passing...

When up against a hot goalie, or when in an offensive slump, the common mantra is to shoot more - gets pucks on net. IMO, this is often self-defeating.

Oettinger is playing great, but I also think the Flames have made it easy for him a lot of the time. They are shooting from everywhere - which is great, as it will create rebounds. But it is also allowing Oettinger to focus on the shooter. IMO, they need to get him moving. They need more cross-seam passes.

Not a single pass attempt on any of the 2 on 1s. Not one.

During the regular season, I would argue that, if anything, the Flames passed too much. Now, nothing. they are not playing their game.

I would like to see some creativity. I think if they can click on a couple passes, and get a nice goal, they'll be off to the races.

I agree with all that you have written. They seem to be rushing the offensive plays and the easiest play is to go back to the point. However, if Dallas is boxing out for the screens and deflections then you need to either cut to the net from the half boards or try cross seam passes. I also think that they are getting wise on the Lindholm shot in the centre. While he got one last game, they know that he's the trigger man on the line and (unlike we seem to do with Pavelski) there is always someone near him. He was free for that one goal because he came off a change and no Dallas player noticed him.



This feels similar to the Johnny breakaway. He had time and space to make Oettinger move laterally as he was far out of the net. Now, Johnny may not have known how much time he had but it was evident with how far out Oettinger came out of his crease that he was thinking Johnny was shooting the whole way. They seem to be panicked into taking the least risky move (back to the point in the offensive zone and shooting instead of pass when having a partial break).

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

More on shooting vs passing...

When up against a hot goalie, or when in an offensive slump, the common mantra is to shoot more - gets pucks on net. IMO, this is often self-defeating.

Oettinger is playing great, but I also think the Flames have made it easy for him a lot of the time. They are shooting from everywhere - which is great, as it will create rebounds. But it is also allowing Oettinger to focus on the shooter. IMO, they need to get him moving. They need more cross-seam passes.

Not a single pass attempt on any of the 2 on 1s. Not one.

During the regular season, I would argue that, if anything, the Flames passed too much. Now, nothing. they are not playing their game.

I would like to see some creativity. I think if they can click on a couple passes, and get a nice goal, they'll be off to the races.

I noticed frustration between our D and forwards, which I wouldn't be overly concerned about as they are just competitive guys, but hopefully it doesn't lead to a disconnect. You had Johnny and Toff both visibly pissed at Kylington for his low percentage shots, last game I noticed Hanifin throwing up his arms when Johnny shot instead of passed on the 2-1 (I think it was Hanifin, he was wide open for a tap-in), then later in the game Johnny is visibly pissed at Hanifin for his weak attempts and not getting it down low for the cycle...They're just not all gelling right now and that does appear a little concerning but hopefully they get it together here starting tonight.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I noticed frustration between our D and forwards, which I wouldn't be overly concerned about as they are just competitive guys, but hopefully it doesn't lead to a disconnect. You had Johnny and Toff both visibly pissed at Kylington for his low percentage shots, last game I noticed Hanifin throwing up his arms when Johnny shot instead of passed on the 2-1 (I think it was Hanifin, he was wide open for a tap-in), then later in the game Johnny is visibly pissed at Hanifin for his weak attempts and not getting it down low for the cycle...They're just not all gelling right now and that does appear a little concerning but hopefully they get it together here starting tonight.

I didn’t see that but Toff should not be “pissed” or “visibly pissed” at anyone. At all. He looks like an AHL player right now.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I didn’t see that but Toff should not be “pissed” or “visibly pissed” at anyone. At all. He looks like an AHL player right now.

He needs to pick it up or at least bury some chances, he's been around it.

I still think his one-timer is under-utilized on the PP. Seems they were finally trying to get it to him on the PP last game but passes were either off or cut-off.

[Azure]

When was the last time Toffoli has scored on the PP?

If anything he should just be a decoy, but at this point every effort should be made to get the puck to Lindholm.

Toffoli has been a major disappointment the last 2 months.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Azure

When was the last time Toffoli has scored on the PP?

If anything he should just be a decoy, but at this point every effort should be made to get the puck to Lindholm.

Toffoli has been a major disappointment the last 2 months.

I am not sure that being entirely one-dimensional is the answer.

[powderjunkie]

I was watching the game a bit delayed so apologies if this got covered elsewhere, but did anybody else notice Namestnikov appearing to punch a linesman in the face during the scrum with 4:38 left in the 2nd period?

I would kill to see more angles, but it seems pretty clear on the french broadcast; I'll try to clip and post it later. The linesman looked pretty pissed as he threw Namestnikov out of the scrum, but I guess he just didn't want to impact the game by making a competitor suffer consequences for his actions.

The league and officials are too dumb to protect themselves. I know it's not uncommon for linesmen to take some physicality, but a punch to the face simply shouldn't be tolerated. Silly.

[browna]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I was watching the game a bit delayed so apologies if this got covered elsewhere, but did anybody else notice Namestnikov appearing to punch a linesman in the face during the scrum with 4:38 left in the 2nd period?

I would kill to see more angles, but it seems pretty clear on the french broadcast; I'll try to clip and post it later. The linesman looked pretty pissed as he threw Namestnikov out of the scrum, but I guess he just didn't want to impact the game by making a competitor suffer consequences for his actions.

The league and officials are too dumb to protect themselves. I know it's not uncommon for linesmen to take some physicality, but a punch to the face simply shouldn't be tolerated. Silly.

Yeah the linesman’s attitude toward him changed pretty quickly and started shoving him into the corner.
Lewis was complaining to the ref about that exact thing right after it happened.
Maybe gets a fine?