[PGT] Coilers 4, Flames 3: End of preseason

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Wow, just looked at the boxscore for the game... I had absolutely no idea that RNH played. Never noticed him, never heard his name, literally never saw him once.

Ryan Nothing-Happens

[Dion]

Originally Posted by New Era

I have just the opposite concern. I don't think Smith is a starter at this point, and relying on him is roll of the dice need not be made. Smith could be a good backup, but relying on him for any more than 30-35 games is probably asking for an injury to derail his season. The Flames needed to have someone step up last season and take the starter job at the end of the season. That didn't happen and now they are likely in a bit of a bind. Someone is going to have to step up, or Treliving is going to have to make a move.

Goaltenders take time to develop and to expect either Gillies or Rittich to assume a starters position right now is quite unfair. We saw glimpses of what Rittich can do but when he got tossed into the fire he didn't handle it so well. That doesn't mean we should write him off or Gillies for that matter. They need time to develop their skills.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by jayswin

People sometimes read too much into who is and isn't playing in pre-season and it can just as easily be the opposite of what we always infer.

"He's not playing because he's cut" can just as easily be "He's not playing because they know exactly what they have in him and are giving the young guys a chance to surpass his bar before they are sent down for more seasoning".


Personally, I think if Kulak was close to being cut, he'd be given these past two games to push for his job back.

Perhaps but you want players to be ready for the start of the season. Not to play him in the last two games and expect him to play well in the season opener is odd. Maybe he won't be cut but I would be very surprised to see him playing on Wednesday.

[bzoo02]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Wow, just looked at the boxscore for the game... I had absolutely no idea that RNH played. Never noticed him, never heard his name, literally never saw him once.

That's because he plays on McDavid's line.

It's a well known rule that when McDavid is on the ice you can't say another Oiler's name.

[Textcritic]

I didn’t watch the game but assume it is safe to expect Lindholm on the top line on opening night? It seems to me that we should feel very good about this.

Overall I have been pleased with the Flames’s preseason. I don’t read a lot into goaltending performances in September.


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[dammage79]

Fun thing is, I think even if Lindholm didnt pan out at the top lie RW, theres options and we wouldnt be stuck with a Hathaway top line RW type situation.

Overall I've been pretty pumped on Lindholm, lets see if it translates to the games when points are on the line now. I think it will.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I didn’t watch the game but assume it is safe to expect Lindholm on the top line on opening night? It seems to me that we should feel very good about this.

Overall I have been pleased with the Flames’s preseason. I don’t read a lot into goaltending performances in September.


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I think Lindholm starts on the top line and plays there until / if ever he shows he's not the right fit. He's been great so far. Neal plays on a lower line until it appears he needs to play with a better setup man.

[Jaydee]

Could tell the flames were missing Monahan, their trigger man, and Neal, the other triggerman, on the PP all night. Especially on the 5-3

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

Any news on Tkachuk? I'm a little frustrated, if he was battling a minor injury after the San Jose game why was he playing in this game.

[JetsFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Sv% took a nosedive because of the reduction in shots.

It’s the denominator!

Edit: those low percentage muffins from outside rack up the shots and pad the percentages. Flames down the stretch last year were allowing unimpeded access to the net. Other teams didn’t have to keep their shots to the outside

His save % was .880 after his injury, well below his season average of .916. He came back from injury and stunk at the worst possible time. The fact that the shots are the denominator is irrelevant, unless you are suggesting that goalies stop less pucks on average when they face less shots. I don't think that's true and if you look at Smith's game by game stats after his injury you'll see that it doesn't bear out that way. If a goalie typically stops 90% of shots, then he should stop 90% of 20 or 40, the number of shots really shouldn't matter?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I didn’t watch the game but assume it is safe to expect Lindholm on the top line on opening night? It seems to me that we should feel very good about this.

Overall I have been pleased with the Flames’s preseason. I don’t read a lot into goaltending performances in September.


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After his play in the last 2 games, I think there is absolutely no doubt.

Considering the full body of work throughout the pre-season, from China through today, he has been the best forward. His smart 200 foot game is helpful for that line, and there has been some decent chemistry with Gaudreau.

[Samonadreau]

At the game today. In between keeping the little ones in line heres what stood out:

The good
- Lindholm was a stud out there. Best Flame. Quiet at times but always making smart plays.
- Hanifin seems a much better fit with Hamonic then Brodie was, he definitely drives that pairing. He looks like hes a polished 25 year old out there.
- Gio even in the preseason never takes a shift off.
- The 1st Period was total domination.
- Take it for what its worth but Peluso didnt look out of place. Dont think he should make the team but he seemed better then i expected.


The meh
- I know its the preseason but Smith looked shakey at times. Hopefully hes got most of the rust out now.
- we need an upgrade on Frolik on that 2nd line. Totally holds his own defensively but offensively not quite there anymore. Good news is we have options now!
- The Flames should have been able to expose that abysmal D but had to many shots from the perimeter. Also missed the net or threw it into Talbots crest on some point blank shots.
- Too much passing on the PP. I remember Andersson had a 101mph bomb in the Stockton skills competition last season, he should be using that cannon.
- Definitely missed Monahan and could tell Tkachuk wasnt 100%.

At times was a flashback to last season. Owned the Possesion game but werent able to bury their chances while the other team seemed opportunistc on the few chances they had. The one thing that seemed light years ahead of last season was the transition game. no more D to D to D passing. Get the puck up the ice fast.

But I like what I see and if everyone can stay healthy and we can get some goaltending this should be a fun season.

[Enoch Root]

My thoughts on the pre-season overall:

• Loved the aggressive forecheck and tight gap control in all 3 zones.
• Loved the team speed and the up-tempo play
• Saw some really promising things on the PP, particularly the play going down low, then back up to the slot for a quick shot
• Thought the PK was more aggressive than last year, which is good
• Overall, I didn’t see anything from the coaching staff that upset me. The style of play seems significantly better than last year.
• The new additions were all positive:

• Lindholm is as advertised, a really solid player
• Hanifin has all the tools and for the most part, was better defensively than I expected
• Czarnik looks to be a steal of a pickup
• Ryan adds good depth
• Neal has done nothing, but that doesn’t concern me in the slightest – he is exactly the kind of vet that couldn’t give a #### about the pre-season, especially after back-to-back cup appearances

• Was very pleasantly surprised by the kids.

• Mangiapane was solid and is ready for the NHL.

• Valimaki was more poised than I expected for a 20 year old, and looks ready for the NHL (though I think Stockton still makes sense)
• Andersson is NHL ready
• Dube was even better than expected. His speed and dynamic play make him a must for the team IMO. This kid is a player, and regardless of where he starts the season, will be a full time member of the top 9 in no time

• The kids have pushed Lazar and Hathaway out of the lineup. One of them, either Mangiapane or Dube, has to be in the opening lineup. My vote is Dube, but both are worthy, and either is an upgrade.
• Giordano is going to have a monster season
• Brodano showed some good things and I believe they will build as they regain their confidence and familiarity
• Not confident in Kulak, and not at all confident in Kulak-Stone as a pairing
• I am not worried about the goaltending, but it is hard to argue that any of them did anything positive to be excited about. If they get off to a shaky start, it could get ugly quickly.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by JetsFlamesFan

His save % was .880 after his injury, well below his season average of .916. He came back from injury and stunk at the worst possible time. The fact that the shots are the denominator is irrelevant, unless you are suggesting that goalies stop less pucks on average when they face less shots. I don't think that's true and if you look at Smith's game by game stats after his injury you'll see that it doesn't bear out that way. If a goalie typically stops 90% of shots, then he should stop 90% of 20 or 40, the number of shots really shouldn't matter?

Yeah. More specifically in terms of the Flames last year down the stretch, the D was so bad that
- they gave up at least enough 2 on 1s, 2 on 0’s, unimpeded access to the net that the goalie was letting in 4 or 5
- some chances were so glorious there was no chance of a save to allow for subsequent shots
- no shots from the outside to increase the denominator as there was no pressure on the team to make low percentage shots

Maybe you forget how bad the team played defensively. Smith wasn’t bailing the team out but he wasn’t Jonas Hiller.

I put little stock in save percentage. It’s partly like +/- for goalies. It’s largely a team stat

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Gaudreau is a Ninja

Any news on Tkachuk? I'm a little frustrated, if he was battling a minor injury after the San Jose game why was he playing in this game.

I think it's safe to trust the Flames would not do anything to jeopardize his health and career.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

After his play in the last 2 games, I think there is absolutely no doubt.

Considering the full body of work throughout the pre-season, from China through today, he has been the best forward. His smart 200 foot game is helpful for that line, and there has been some decent chemistry with Gaudreau.

He will be another playmaker on that line. Keying on Johnny won’t shut the line down. He can also score, so shutting down Monahan will still leave Lindholm open. His defensive awareness will also be a big plus.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Gaudreau is a Ninja

Any news on Tkachuk? I'm a little frustrated, if he was battling a minor injury after the San Jose game why was he playing in this game.

I'm pretty sure Tkachuk's benching was related to his play, rather than his health.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

He will be another playmaker on that line. Keying on Johnny won’t shut the line down. He can also score, so shutting down Monahan will still leave Lindholm open. His defensive awareness will also be a big plus.

I actually see Gaudreau as the second trigger-man on that line. He has scored 30 goals before, and I would bet he hits that number again this season.


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[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I'm pretty sure Tkachuk's benching was related to his play, rather than his health.

By all accounts, he never came on the bench for the 3rd. If you're "benched" you sit on the bench and watch the game. Players don't stay in the dressing room for play related punishment.

[Bingo]

Starting goaltenders with rough preseason save percentages

Bobrovsky .819
Graubauer .825
Holtby .839
Smith .848
Jones .849
Price .862
Lundqvist .863
Luongo .873
Rinne .877
Quick .880
Varlamov .882
Reimer .887
Dubnyk .888
Hellybucyk .893
Mrazek .896
Elliott .897