[PGT] Flames beat Panthers 5-2

[Robbob]

Gaudreau had 2 in 10 seconds against Nashville. 2nd goal was a deke after a stretch pass from a face off win. 6 seconds has to be a slapper coming down the wing if I had to guess. 80's whiff still probably applies.

[N-E-B]

Great games from Backlund, Frolik, and Tkachuk as usual.

Giordano was a beast tonight. Best game of the year by far for him.

I think Mony is feeling it again. Hopefully for good this time. When he's on his game I really believe he's as good a centre as anyone else in the league (excluding Crosby, McDavid). The difference between those guys and Mony is consistency. If Mony can keep it up I like what we have.

Shaky start from Johnson but was solid after that. Not tested too much but didn't allow any stinkers when it was 4-2 that could have killed them.

I'm starting to feel bad for Gaudreau. I don't think he's been that bad, I think the fact of the matter is that Chiasson and Bennett simply aren't good enough (or in Bennett's case isn't playing good enough as I believe he's a good player when he's on) to play with him. I can think of two times off the top of my head where Johnny set them up for a goal and they choked. I've seen enough of Chiasson in the top-6 and I'm totally on board with sitting Bennett down for a game. He looks like a frustrated player who's overthinking things.

Feel bad for the 4th line. They were punished twice because of the officials inability to perform their jobs properly. Yes the plays were offside, but they were so close that I don't think it would have made a difference. Never been a fan of the coaches challenge, it takes too much life out of the game.

Oh well, Flames won and that's all that matters!

[Galakanokis]

I thought Bouma was very good tonight, his down low play in the offensive zone was excellent.

[Karl]

Feel bad for the 4th line because it seems like they all played a great game.

I can see how the 1st was Technically offside because you could see Stajan's back foot off the ice on the 1st overturned goal, but the 2nd overturned goal I couldn't tell that Bouma was offside at all.

[direwolf]

Backlund's line is flying out there. One of the best lines in hockey right now for sure.

I thought Monahan had his best game in a while tonight. Good to see him slowly rounding back into form.

Johnny and Bennett both continue to struggle. In Bennett's case, I agree he should probably sit at least one game and watch from the press box. With Johnny, it's just a matter of him fighting through it. Weird that he only has 1 point in his last 5 games. It's really unlike him, and clearly that's not gonna cut it, considering the money we're paying him.

If those two guys can finally get going and the Backlund line can keep dominating, I think this team will be very tough to beat down the stretch.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

Really like what I'm seeing from Monahan the last few games. You can tell when he's feeling it cause he drives the net more and uses his shot. Gaudreau still struggling for the most part. Little better tonight though. Bennett just has no confidence right now. Thought he was decent the first two periods, but then in the 3rd takes two penalties and that's all everyone remembers. Just needs a game so badly to break out and pot a couple to get him going a bit. Hope it comes soon.

Just building off of what you said; you mentioned all the players I was going to give my take on. There's a quote in the Neal sniper article on Player's Tribune that I was reminded of, concerning Monahan's change in attitude along with the recent goal streak. (I quote Player's Tribune articles ad nauseum, btw)

"So much of scoring goals is confidence. If you shoot a puck and you don’t believe it’s going in, it’s not going in, buddy. I’d say the toughest part about being a goal-scoring winger is that when you go through a slump, it’s pretty brutal.

"Hockey is really unique in that respect. You could be having the worst game ever, but if a shot deflects in off your shin guard, your whole mood changes. You get instant confidence. When you’re in a drought, it feels like there’s a forcefield over the net."

You're seeing it right now with Monahan, just as you said - he's shooting more and trying to get into those scoring areas. He's got the hot stick. And not all the goals are dazzling pretty, but they don't have to be. They just gotta go in.

Johnny and Bennett I feel are experiencing some of this "forcefield" frustration. They just gotta wait patiently. Hockey things will happen... a shot will bounce in off Sam's butt. A puck will tick off Johnny's blade into the net when he wasn't sure where it was (like his 1st NHL goal) Once this happens, it'll be a slow trickle and then the floodgates will crash open.

Sam is basically the last guy on the team to find himself... just nothing is going right for him. Bad penalties, tripping himself on his skates, bad plays with the puck. I think 1 game in the pressbox will do him wonders. Not because I view it as punishment, but sometimes all a young slumping player needs is to calm down, a big step back (above) and to view the game as a scholar without the pressure of in-game mistakes. Freddie Hamilton had a great night, while Ferland and Hathaway are still both DTD. Stajan can move up a line and we shouldn't miss a beat.

[CKPThunder]

Originally Posted by AC

I'm assuming the 2nd was an EN off the faceoff as per usual.



I wish they'd separate this record into goals scored in general, and 2 fastest goals scored against a goalie.

Looks like both goals were in the first. One on the PP and the second even strength.

http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin....cgi?H19830789

[Karl]

I feel lost. How was this Bouma goal offside?

[flamesrule14]

Absolutely right. Usually pretty easy to tell when Monahan is on his game and feeling it. He's getting in the slot and taking that shot of his. His first shift he had that nice chance and then again on the PP he had that beauty chance. I figured he was due and he cut it close, but good to see him pot one again tonight. Can't score every game, but as long as he's playing his game we know they will come. Just too many games he's been to quiet in and hopefully that changes in the second half.

I'm a Bennett fanboy through and through, but maybe it is time to sit him for a game and let him watch. I don't think he's been nearly as bad as some here are saying, but having a seat for a game usually isn't the worst thing for a young guy. Might get the fire back in him and maybe that'll get him going.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Karl

I feel lost. How was this Bouma goal offside?

[Karl]

Originally Posted by AC

Thanks Now I understand it.

[Sakic19]

2 wins left this week

[DT77]

Originally Posted by AC

That's awesome if true.

I'd love to see highlights of that 2nd goal. Goalie probably pulled a classic 80s whiff.

Wish I had video... but, yes, both goals scored on a goaltender! In the First Period! 16:23 (PP) & 16:29 (EV) of first period. He'd add another early in the third for his 16th & final career hat-trick.

[Samonadreau]

Great game all around.

Bouma's best game of the year.

Gaudreau was better tonight but still fighting it. 3 points in his last 10 games now. Still would like to see Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk

And Backlund is now on pace for 24 goals and 56 points! It's a shame he isn't going to the ASG this year.

Oh ya an clean up the offside challenge. That is embarrassing for the league.

[MarkGio]

I can't believe the Flames only win games when Backlund scores. This team's secondary goal scorer has become the primary goal scoring and the supposed primary players have disappeared.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I can't believe the Flames only win games when Backlund scores. This team's secondary goal scorer has become the primary goal scoring and the supposed primary players have disappeared.

By our "primary" players, I assume you mean:

Monahan - 22 years old (4th year pro)
Gaudreau - 23 years old (3rd year pro)
Bennett - 20 years old (2nd year pro)

That's extremely young, and they're all extremely gifted - and what they've all done in their very brief careers should give us more than enough reason to be patient with their development. I'm definitley happy that our veteran players are around to help cushion some of these hard development years - as that's why they're here. Edmonton didn't have vets like Backlund and Frolik around to help lift the burden off their younger players, and their rebuild was greatly hurt by that.

[Beninho]

Monahan needs to play with this type of intensity with Johnny, he's looked like another player when he has to be the driver of the line. Toe dragging, winning puck battles, playing great in his own end. We all know he's a very talented player who goes through youthful spouts of complete ineptitude. I love the confidence Mony has been playing with while with Versteeg and Brouwer. We forget how talented he is and I hope he's figuring out this consistency thing.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I can't believe the Flames only win games when Backlund scores. This team's secondary goal scorer has become the primary goal scoring and the supposed primary players have disappeared.

I guess if you only care about winning debates on HF that this bothers you. Young players go through ups and downs, Johnny has been on fire at points in this season and has struggled/been unlucky as well. Bennett is in his second year as a pro, I remember when people wanted to trade Backlund and now look. The Flames are a team and you cheer for the team, if you want to gloat about individual statistics go cheer for the Oil or the leafs, if you care about this team you would notice there have been many many bright spots this year and the team is playing much more dominant sustainable hockey. I mean for god sakes we have a rookie who may crack 50 pts. We would've shat our pants 4 years ago if that happened, we have just been spoiled and your post shows that. And to your point about Backlund, maybe he's turning into a player that is much more than just a secondary scoring option? Development is different for every player, calm down and enjoy the ride. Like I said in a previous post Rome wasn't built in a day.

[dying4acup]

Maybe, just maybe, we are learning that Monahan wasn't as dependant on Johnny for scoring as we thought. And maybe johnny needs Monny more than we all though.

[Redrum]

Pretty crazy the Flames are able to dominate like this with their top players kinda playing like ass. The way they've done that a few times the last little while it at least looks like they aren't in the basement anymore. And those top guys are still youngens, so I might be a little worried for this season but long term seems like it might be in good shape.