[PGT] Flames beat the Sens 3-2 in OT

[Saint Troy]

Hopefully that ups the Elliott confidence level, he needs to get real hot if the Flames have any prayer of making the playoffs. Sure like to see Treliving address the lack of speed and skill asap...

[GoJetsGo]

Good game by Johnny. Hopefully he goes and plays with some elite talent at the all-star game, looks great and comes back to build off this two point game.

I have said this a few times now but it begs repeating. I'd like to see Tkachuk given a crack to play first line RW with Gaudreau and Monahan and give them a couple games to gel.

I think Matty has grown enough he can take off the training wheels with regard to being stapled to Backlund and Frolik. While I didn't dislike Frolik on that line, I've long thought Tkachuk's game (despite being a left shot) would compliment those two and perhaps get them going again. Tkachuk has done a ton of damage from the right side in his career, I think that line could be a good one.

And if it's too soon, he can go back to playing with Backs and Frolik. I think it's low risk high reward.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
"Just a reaction - I was pretty surprised myself. I'm glad it went in." - Sean Monahan on his goal

Didn't catch anything before OT but saw a replay of the goal. That's what happens when you work hard and crash the net, Sean!

More of it, please.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I have said this a few times now but it begs repeating. I'd like to see Tkachuk given a crack to play first line RW with Gaudreau and Monahan and give them a couple games to gel.

Only trouble is, he's playing first line LW with Backlund and Frolik right now. People may like to pretend that Backlund is nothing but a 3rd-line centre, but that has been the team's de facto #1 line for some time now. Best line offensively, best line defensively, gets the toughest matchups. So who do you put on LW there that would keep up the good work?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Good game by Johnny. Hopefully he goes and plays with some elite talent at the all-star game, looks great and comes back to build off this two point game.

I have said this a few times now but it begs repeating. I'd like to see Tkachuk given a crack to play first line RW with Gaudreau and Monahan and give them a couple games to gel.

I think Matty has grown enough he can take off the training wheels with regard to being stapled to Backlund and Frolik. While I didn't dislike Frolik on that line, I've long thought Tkachuk's game (despite being a left shot) would compliment those two and perhaps get them going again. Tkachuk has done a ton of damage from the right side in his career, I think that line could be a good one.

And if it's too soon, he can go back to playing with Backs and Frolik. I think it's low risk high reward.

I like it. Maybe you move Bennett to LW on Backlund's line to see if you can get him going too.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Only trouble is, he's playing first line LW with Backlund and Frolik right now. People may like to pretend that Backlund is nothing but a 3rd-line centre, but that has been the team's de facto #1 line for some time now. Best line offensively, best line defensively, gets the toughest matchups.

Seriously?

I wasn't inferring at all that line hasn't been great this year and I thought that would have been obvious. No need to start arguing a different topic that wasn't even brought up (what line should be called 1st line).

Originally Posted by Jay Random

So who do you put on LW there that would keep up the good work?

What's the difference between that and tonight when we replaced the RW on that line?

I'm sure just about any forward would find a degree of success playing with Backs and Frolik. That doesn't seem like a huge problem.

[djsFlames]

Would be nothing better for the team at this point than Moose going into playoff mode.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Would you have taken in a playoff spot at All Star Break before season started? I would have and if Canucks lose to Arizona tonihht(down 1-0 after 2 and looking Terrible. 0 shots in 1st period), flames will be in wild card 2 thru the break.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Seriously?

I wasn't inferring at all that line hasn't been great this year and I thought that would have been obvious. No need to start arguing a different topic that wasn't even brought up (what line should be called 1st line).




What's the difference between that and tonight when we replaced the RW on that line?

I'm sure just about any forward would find a degree of success playing with Backs and Frolik. That doesn't seem like a huge problem.

I feel like you're vastly underestimating how hard it is for a left handed player to switch to the RW.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Good game by Johnny. Hopefully he goes and plays with some elite talent at the all-star game, looks great and comes back to build off this two point game.

I have said this a few times now but it begs repeating. I'd like to see Tkachuk given a crack to play first line RW with Gaudreau and Monahan and give them a couple games to gel.

I think Matty has grown enough he can take off the training wheels with regard to being stapled to Backlund and Frolik. While I didn't dislike Frolik on that line, I've long thought Tkachuk's game (despite being a left shot) would compliment those two and perhaps get them going again. Tkachuk has done a ton of damage from the right side in his career, I think that line could be a good one.

And if it's too soon, he can go back to playing with Backs and Frolik. I think it's low risk high reward.

This is why coaches who break up the season into 7 game segments can get results. Far easier to make decisions on lines when it doesn't work vs. 52 games into the season.

Both Monahan and Gaudreau had good games. I still think Bennett should play wing though. Also, try Gio/Brodie.

I too have suggested getting Tkachuk on the top line, it's worth a shot. Other teams start to key on mismatches if a coach keeps trying his system with the same pieces.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Seriously?

I wasn't inferring at all that line hasn't been great this year and I thought that would have been obvious. No need to start arguing a different topic that wasn't even brought up (what line should be called 1st line).

The point is that you want to create a #1 line by breaking up the #1 line.

What's the difference between that and tonight when we replaced the RW on that line?

Frankly, I missed tonight's game. You'll have to tell me.

I'm sure just about any forward would find a degree of success playing with Backs and Frolik. That doesn't seem like a huge problem.

You would think that just about any forward would find a degree of success playing with Gaudreau and Monahan, too. Sometimes the huge problems are not the ones anybody could foresee.

[CrazyCaper]

Where's the blonde chick?? I need to see the blonde chick!! ��

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Would you have taken in a playoff spot at All Star Break before season started? I would have and if Canucks lose to Arizona tonihht(down 1-0 after 2 and looking Terrible. 0 shots in 1st period), flames will be in wild card 2 thru the break.

Misleading because of the games in hand. But I suppose.

[MarkGio]

That was a narrow margin victory. For the last while there it seemed like the Flames buckled under the pressure despite having the lead all game

[Bunk]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing

Gaudreau-Backlund-Frolik (smooth)
Tkachuk-Monahan-Bennett (piss and vinegar)
Versteeg-Stajan-Brouwer (wily vets)
Bouma-Hamilton-Ferland (scrubs)
Chiasson (bench warmer)

[Huntingwhale]

Spoiler!

Link

Solid game. Was expecting a loss, and it almost happened. But Elliott bailed us out at the end.

Without question, the most satisfying part of the game was when the Sens kept backing off...and backing off... and then finally Backlund steals it and game over. So satisfying.

[N-E-B]

I'm excited for the ATL, our last one was from Florida... It's been too long since we've had a quality one with lots of salt!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Man, I'm glad they won because I was red hot that Elliott let in that goal with a minute left. Sure he had a screen, but he wasn't square to the shot and deep in his net yet again. He continues to let in at least 1 bad goal a game. It should never have gone to OT.

That being said, he was big in OT, so he is forgiven for that late goal...this time.

I remember why I hate Guy Boucher hockey. He plays a boring neutral zone/possession game with little to no attack. That game was sooooooo frickin' boring, even Noodles said so on the Sens broadcast.

The Flames did well defensively again tonight, but just so little offensively. I think they scored on the only legitimate scoring chances tonight. Still needs work. The power play has fallen apart again.

Kulak had a pretty poor game again. Plenty of key turnovers and missed/late assignments. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kevin in for the next game after the break. I also hated Brouwer's game tonight. He was brutal.

But that goal by Monahan...my god. What hands. Much awesome. Gaudreau was better overall tonight too, and he was engaged defensively, which not surprisingly was the reason they got that chance in OT. Oh, and the 4th line was pretty good tonight after getting called out the other night. Good response by everyone that needed to play better.

Now that they've won again they can breathe a little easier over the all-star break. Regroup. come back strong the rest of the way. Keep working on things. This could still be a playoff team if they pull it together soon.

[The Hendog]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Would you have taken in a playoff spot at All Star Break before season started? I would have and if Canucks lose to Arizona tonihht(down 1-0 after 2 and looking Terrible. 0 shots in 1st period), flames will be in wild card 2 thru the break.

Based purely on stats and those 2 particular teams but that first period was the most boring period ever in the NHL

[Jaydee]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing

Gaudreau-Backlund-Frolik (smooth)
Tkachuk-Monahan-Bennett (piss and vinegar)
Versteeg-Stajan-Brouwer (wily vets)
Bouma-Hamilton-Ferland (scrubs)
Chiasson (bench warmer)

I think I like

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik