[PGT] Flames fall to the Caps 4-2

[chockfullofgoodness]

Originally Posted by heep223

So since there isn't a single comment on Gaudreau bent over limping to the bench at the end there....I'm assuming he's ok? I missed a chunk at the end.

He played another shift after that, so he's probably fine.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

so the caps are a pretty ok team I guess.

1) Elliott played great
2) We missed Chuckie and Ferland
3) Bennett looks like he's on the cusp of something special and Brouwer scored!!! So thats positive!

Am I the only one that thinks Bennett would make some big strides if he had some better linemates?? Think of Ferland turning things up on the top line.

[Fire]

Bartowski got 16 minutes and Engelland got 17 minutes. Safe to say the 3rd pairing won't get that much ice-time in the playoffs. Gulutzan is spreading the minutes around to keep the guys fresh going into the playoffs.

[lazypucker]

I don't care if the Flames lose a game or two here and there, as long as they win 16 games in the playoffs this year!!

[djsFlames]

At least one of the Ducks/Oil have to lose tomorrow.

Would be nice to see the Flames make a good push once they get healthy again.

[handgroen]

great game, they could all be like that one in the playoffs and we'd be happy fans.
send in the next team i say, these guys look for real.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

At least one of the Ducks/Oil have to lose tomorrow.

Hopefully it's the Oilers, just because they're the Oilers.

[Scrambler]

Not really that mad, Elliot's run had to end eventually and it might as well be against Washington. Just did not get the bounces they needed; that late 2nd period goal was killer but they came back nicely in the 3rd anyway.

It would be nice to finish 1st or 2nd in the division, but either way unless we slip into WC2 then we are bound to play ANA, EDM or SJ either way.

Move on:

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Really? I thought he looked worse at wing than he has at center lately. At least at center he was playing a good defensive game, and his offensive pressure was starting to come around.

That was a clinic by the Caps tonight. The Flames didn't play their best, ESPECIALLY in the 2nd period, but even if the Flames had their game of the year I doubt they win that one.

That save by Holtby on Frolik's shorthanded chance was pretty incredible.

Full credit to the Caps. On to Nashville where there's a much more beatable opponent to play in a couple days. Hopefully Ferland is back because plays are dying on Chiasson's stick yet again.

What? Bennett had a great game.

[blender]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

No, checked a little awkwardly in the slot while he wasn't paying attention.

No limb twisting or anything though so shouldn't be too concerned.

He wasn't paying attention as it was clear interference.

[Enoch Root]

To those saying Lazar played poorly and should be pulled out of the lineup...

He has played two games, after sitting for almost a month. In the first game, he played really well.

In the second game he struggled. On a line with Bouma and Hamilton (who hasn't played in a month). On the road. Against the top team in the league.

This is why Canadian fans can't have nice things.

You have to let guys play into form. Players make mistakes. If you bench them every time they have a tough outing, they will never develop - you'll suck the life out of them.

[BigFlameDog]

Yeah I am just finishing up the game now and there was no shame in the flames game IMO. They played decent and it was a fun game to watch.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Not really that mad, Elliot's run had to end eventually and it might as well be against Washington. Just did not get the bounces they needed; that late 2nd period goal was killer but they came back nicely in the 3rd anyway.

It would be nice to finish 1st or 2nd in the division, but either way unless we slip into WC2 then we are bound to play ANA, EDM or SJ either way.

Move on:

This gif still makes no sense.

[DJones]

Really liked Bennett the last two games. Guy just can't buy a bounce though.

The TOI didn't make any sense to me tonight. The bottom six and bottom pairing were getting destroyed. Was hoping to see Glen shorten the bench. Especially with ferland and Tkachuk out.

First game I haven't loved Stone but that's alright. It happens

Edit; and is it possible to be snake bitten shorthanded? I feel like we get a 2 on 1 every second game but keep getting nothing

[Strange Brew]

I am really glad Flames are playing a tough schedule down the stretch. Gives the players a good idea of what it will take to beat good teams in the playoffs. I will take that over a powderpuff finishing schedule. I don't believe home ice advantage is all that important. More important to be playing well.

[taxbuster]

Liked Bennett's game - thought he played pretty solidly, though his chances were a bit limited. I liked what he was doing though and thought he played smartly.

Lazar floundered a bit - to be expected; not worried, and a good game for him to have like that. No shame and he shouldn't be upset.

Thought all of the D ran around a bit at times - again, to be expected a bit as they're playing a pretty robust and high-level team. Got burned by a few (a lot of?) picks and some crappy bounces. Oh well.

What did puzzle me was the change in pace from the first to the second period. The Flames started playing a different style - a little more measured and a little bit tighter. I don't actually think that did them any favours in that game. The run-and-gun of the first period was actually pretty darn good and they had a great time of it. (Yah - it's not "sustainable".....)

/ob ref rant
Crappy penalty to Gio, but can't do much about it. More peeved at the one on Hamilton which I thought was not really deserved. And the Caps and their picks. Sheesh. They just never get called.
/rant off

I liked the Flames game generally, even though they had some lousy bounces and a few sloppy bits. They had at least a chance to win, but for some (non) puck luck tonight.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I am really glad Flames are playing a tough schedule down the stretch. Gives the players a good idea of what it will take to beat good teams in the playoffs. I will take that over a powderpuff finishing schedule. I don't believe home ice advantage is all that important. More important to be playing well.

Alternatively, I think St. Louis' schedule may make them prone to complacency going into the post-season.

Maybe even the Oilers, having a couple Vancouver games to close out. Might give them false sense of security/overconfidence that they can push around whoever, then get a rude awakening a week later when the level of competition is ratcheted up several notches.

Adversity is good. Anaheim (& SJ) will be the perfect test and warm up going in. They'll know based on those games exactly what they need to bring if they land the Ducks or Sharks and get a sense for match ups and that.

[DJones]

If we don't play the Hawks I'm happy. Best team by far imo

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by polak

Wouldn't say that. If it wasn't for Elliot this would have been a blow out.

That said they're missing Ferland and Tkachuk so that might have made a bit of a difference. All said and done that game looked like a playoff contender playing a Stanley cup contender. Really wish we could've seen them with 19 and 79 to get a proper measuring stick.

You could say that about Holtby too. He made same amazing saves when the net was totally open. As well as Backlumd clanging one off the post.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by polak

Wouldn't say that. If it wasn't for Elliot this would have been a blow out.

That said they're missing Ferland and Tkachuk so that might have made a bit of a difference. All said and done that game looked like a playoff contender playing a Stanley cup contender. Really wish we could've seen them with 19 and 79 to get a proper measuring stick.

So... they hung in there? With the best team?