[PGT] Capitals 4, Flames 2

[bettercallbettman]

Ronny is a brat, simple as that. Need to trade him away for a professional. And quickly.

[jayswin]

What?

[Saqe]

Just finished watching, I thought it was a pretty good effort but hard to read anything about the team right now. This upcoming home stretch is going to say a lot more, we're hitting the 20 game mark and the team needs to take a step forward and show improvement.

[bettercallbettman]

Originally Posted by jayswin

What?

Hard to watch man.

[dustygoon]

I have to say, i have not been a big Kylington fan and wanted to see him traded before his bad decisions were no longer just due to learning curve and trade value converged to zero.

But he has really played well lately. In his own zone, he comes up with the puck in board battles, makes sensible passes and off the glass if needed, supports his partner, plays pretty physical, and has just calmed his game down overall. I'm not sure how the left side shakes out when everyone is healthy, but I wouldn't be opposed to him staying.

[jlh2640]

Tough loss, we were in it. But our schedule has been real tough this year so far. Hope we turn it around

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

I have to say, i have not been a big Kylington fan and wanted to see him traded before his bad decisions were no longer just due to learning curve and trade value converged to zero.

But he has really played well lately. In his own zone, he comes up with the puck in board battles, makes sensible passes and off the glass if needed, supports his partner, plays pretty physical, and has just calmed his game down overall. I'm not sure how the left side shakes out when everyone is healthy, but I wouldn't be opposed to him staying.

Yeah i tend to agree, other than the playing physical part.

Until recently he always tried to skate or finesse his way out of trouble which inevitably led to a worse situation. Now, it appears, he has learned to just make the simple and often easier play when the situation calls for it. You don't want to stifle creativity but there are times at the NHL level when that is the only option available without causing chaos in your own end.

He is really coming along and his skating is superb. I think he is now understanding when to jump up as opposed to just doing so all the time as well.

Baby steps from the young man and I suspect he will start seeing more icetime, albeit slowly, to grow things even more.

Good things ahead IMO.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Shazam

2-2-1.

I'll take it.

Same.

One thing that hasn't been discussed a lot is how crazy the Flames schedule has been to start the season.

After they started normally against Colorado/Vancouver the team has had 15 games from October 8 - November 3 (27 day periiod)

-3 back to backs
-10 out of 15 on the road
-2 California Road Trips
-5 game road trip that included an outdoor game in Regina, then went Carolina, Nashville, Columbus, Washington (seems like a weird trip to me)
-Only 1 two day break in that stretch (after the outdoor game where they had to go Regina to Carolina)

And really they don't get a break until next week - since they play Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday again this week, until actually getting 3 days off before playing the Stars on November 13th.

Hopefully once the schedule settles down we see some more energy from this team because I wouldn't be surprised if they are a bit fatigued at this point.

[Textcritic]

^
It is also significant that of their 11 road games—which leads the NHL at this point—the Flames have played nine 2019 playoff teams.

The schedule has been crazy-hard for Calgary, and it is very difficult to gauge several teams right now.

[Bonded]

I wonder if Gaudreau is playing hurt

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I wonder if Gaudreau is playing hurt

He doesn't look hurt. He just looks off to me. He has not been at all good at finding space—which is a huge part of his game, and he has been trying way too hard to force impossible passes to his line mates.

[868904]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

I have to say, i have not been a big Kylington fan and wanted to see him traded before his bad decisions were no longer just due to learning curve and trade value converged to zero.

But he has really played well lately. In his own zone, he comes up with the puck in board battles, makes sensible passes and off the glass if needed, supports his partner, plays pretty physical, and has just calmed his game down overall. I'm not sure how the left side shakes out when everyone is healthy, but I wouldn't be opposed to him staying.

All you need to do is look at the fact that Peters decided to play Kylington on back to back nights instead of subbing Stone in last night.

That tells you that Peters is happy with how Kylington has progressed and now trusts a tired Kylington over a fresh Stone.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Same.

One thing that hasn't been discussed a lot is how crazy the Flames schedule has been to start the season.

After they started normally against Colorado/Vancouver the team has had 15 games from October 8 - November 3 (27 day periiod)

-3 back to backs
-10 out of 15 on the road
-2 California Road Trips
-5 game road trip that included an outdoor game in Regina, then went Carolina, Nashville, Columbus, Washington (seems like a weird trip to me)
-Only 1 two day break in that stretch (after the outdoor game where they had to go Regina to Carolina)

And really they don't get a break until next week - since they play Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday again this week, until actually getting 3 days off before playing the Stars on November 13th.

Hopefully once the schedule settles down we see some more energy from this team because I wouldn't be surprised if they are a bit fatigued at this point.

The factor of difficulty on that road trip should not be forgotten. They do need to keep working on their overall road record though.

The high amount of road games is what is skewing the record. Flames are 4-1-1 at home and they have always been a tough out at home. As bad as some people think the sky is falling, the Flames are still only 3 points out from the division and the conference lead all the while they are far from rolling.

[tvp2003]

What is everyone's thoughts on Talbot. It seems like he's a competent backup, but likely won't be challenging Rittich for the number 1 spot (as some thought might happen).

During yesterday's game they showed some clips of him and Rittich talking during various tv timeouts -- it looks like they get along well as a tandem.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

What is everyone's thoughts on Talbot. It seems like he's a competent backup, but likely won't be challenging Rittich for the number 1 spot (as some thought might happen).

During yesterday's game they showed some clips of him and Rittich talking during various tv timeouts -- it looks like they get along well as a tandem.

I think he's a tier below Rittich, but probably the best backup we've had for a long time (assuming you don't see Rittich as the backup last year).

He's used to a workload, so he's a good choice considering Rittich's workload should be increased gradually.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

What is everyone's thoughts on Talbot. It seems like he's a competent backup, but likely won't be challenging Rittich for the number 1 spot (as some thought might happen).

During yesterday's game they showed some clips of him and Rittich talking during various tv timeouts -- it looks like they get along well as a tandem.

He looks like he won't steal the spot from Rittich, but he also seems more than capable of playing a few games in a row if need be (either from Rittich injury or poor Rittich performance).

[Toonage]

Talbot has been fine in limited viewings. Problem is he plays so infrequently that his starts almost demand perfection which is unfair.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Robbob

The factor of difficulty on that road trip should not be forgotten. They do need to keep working on their overall road record though.

The high amount of road games is what is skewing the record. Flames are 4-1-1 at home and they have always been a tough out at home. As bad as some people think the sky is falling, the Flames are still only 3 points out from the division and the conference lead all the while they are far from rolling.

By way of comparison:

· Vancouver has played nine road games, featuring three 2019 WC playoff teams. Their record in these games is 2–1, with wins v. St Louis and the struggling SJ Sharks. Their one loss was in Calgary.

· Edmonton has played nine road games, four of which have been against 2019 playoff teams, but only one in the WC. They lost that game 1–0 in a shootout in Winnipeg.

· Anaheim has played eight road games, with four against 2019 WC playoff teams. They have one win.

· Arizona has played seven road games, and three v. 2019 WC playoff teams. They have a 1–1–1 record.

· VGK has played six road games, and one v. a 2019 WC playoff team. It was Game #2 of the season in SJ, which they won.

· The Flames have played eleven road games. Nine of these against 2019 playoff teams, and six in the WC. They have a 2–3–1 record in those games.

No one has played as many road games as has Calgary. No one has played anywhere near the same number of road games against 2019 WC playoff opponents, and no one has recorded as many points as the Flames in these games.

The schedule masks a lot of what's really going on in the Pac Div right now.

[icecube]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

What is everyone's thoughts on Talbot. It seems like he's a competent backup, but likely won't be challenging Rittich for the number 1 spot (as some thought might happen).

During yesterday's game they showed some clips of him and Rittich talking during various tv timeouts -- it looks like they get along well as a tandem.

Love him. Best backup since Rittich and if you don't count Rittich he's the best backup since I don't even remember.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

He doesn't look hurt. He just looks off to me. He has not been at all good at finding space—which is a huge part of his game, and he has been trying way too hard to force impossible passes to his line mates.

He is playing scared.