[PGT] Flames 1 - Blackhawks 2

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Come on now....watching your favorite team lose five hockey games in a row is definitely a first world problem.

In the words of a fine gentleman, "Eez only game."

I agree with that it is only a game. I disagree sports is a first world problem, .Even in lower quality of life countries watching your favorite sports team lose would suck.Look at World Cup of Soccer as an Example .

[Caged Great]

The next 15 games

NY Rangers
Dallas
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Edmonton
NY Islanders
Detroit
Florida
Vancouver
Phoenix
San Jose
Los Angeles
Anaheim

So out of that, only 3 easy games.

Yep, it could get worse.

Edit: Don't even look at February's schedule. It could get really really ugly fast.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Stop watching then, clearly your expectations for this team are out of whack and it's ridiculous that you are doing anything other than berating yourself for your own misplaced desires.

I really do think the the expectations really don't take into account where this team is in regards to the rebuild process. I take solace in the fact that we are where we are because players are developing properly. Gaudreau is showing that he is the real deal. Brodie, Monahan, Granlund, Jooris (although I don't think anyone could see him become the player he has) all have taken great strides. The team is on the right track and still has a lot to learn before taking that next step. It is a process, and despite the 5 game losing streak there are still positives.

On to the next game.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

it was interesting at the start of the game, where the flames were playing the hawks at top speed, you just knew that pace couldn't keep up. i thought the flames got worked by a very hungry blackhawk team, and until the 3rd period, it was close.

the 3rd period was like a hawks powerplay for 20 straight minutes.

Gaudreau had his amazing moments again, and the mistake made on the game losing goal is something that is going to happen every once in a while, and i'm ok with that. I really wish he'd shoot more though. players with his skill level need to shoot in order to keep defenders and goalies honest. that will only open things up even more for him going forward.

hard to see the team lose 5 in a row. They're probably landing closer to where they should and that is in that 8-10th spot in the west, and all things considered, it's still going to be a solid year given the development of many of the kids, and even better if they can still create assets out of this somehow.

I agree about Johnny. It's fine if he's a playmaker, but he's already become less effective than he could be if he shot more. Everyone knows what he's going to do, it's not even a question anymore, and goalies and defenders are playing him as such. Just take some shots as you say to keep them honest and he'll up his effectiveness even more.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

I'm pissed off that a 5 game losing streak is going to prove all the naysayers right until the Flames win a few. Let's face it, they should have won at least two of these games. It is frustrating.

I don't think anyone in here is "happy" they've lost 5 in a row... And yes, they should have won at least two of those games, but earlier in the season they won a handful of games they probably had no business winning.

It all evens out throughout the season. You win some you should lose and you lose some you should win... This should not come as a complete shock, it's just unfortunate we're now at five in a row, but I have no doubt this team will turn things around.

[Wastedyouth]

The team is still getting dominated 5 on 5. They played ok during this 5 game losing streak, but except for the Buffalo game, they really just sawed off at even strength. Which means it was a coin flip, especially when the special teams are not dominant.

Tonight and with the Pens, the Flames at even strength got destroyed. And when that happens regularly, eventually you lose and continue to lose unless A: You start playing drastically better at even strength, or B: Your goaltending or shooting percentage trends quite a bit above average.

On the plus side, over the last 10 games the Flames even strength play is trending upward. Slightly, but still, its getting better. If they continue on this path, their numbers might look like a middling team in a month or so.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I agree with that it is only a game. I disagree sports is a first world problem, .Even in lower quality of life countries watching your favorite sports team lose would suck.Look at World Cup of Soccer as an Example .

I would hazard to guess that fandom is even more aggressive and emotional in third world countries.

[scottish_flame]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Hahaha, I deserve that. I'll broker peace with a drink offering...

...

...do you like Scotch?

Beer is good

[AC]

Worth pointing out, since Johnny Gaudreau was scratched vs Columbus early in the season he has played 26 games. He has 6 goals and 17 assists in those 26 games.

That is a 73 point pace over 82 games.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I agree about Johnny. It's fine if he's a playmaker, but he's already become less effective than he could be if he shot more. Everyone knows what he's going to do, it's not even a question anymore, and goalies and defenders are playing him as such. Just take some shots as you say to keep them honest and he'll up his effectiveness even more.

He does still occasionally try his short side high shot coming down the wing when he thinks a goalie is cheating.

[WhiteTiger]

Well, a rough loss, but a decent game to watch.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by heep223

He does still occasionally try his short side high shot coming down the wing when he thinks a goalie is cheating.

Sure, but regardless he's not shooting close to enough. Not to be critical of Johnny hockey but I think the issue is he knows his #### kind of sucks for the NHL level at this point. He still has great accuracy, but it's so very weak. He'll get more effective as he gets older and stronger, but he's a very smart guy and I think he knows others have a better shot so he's passing a little too much.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

I'm pissed off that a 5 game losing streak is going to prove all the naysayers right until the Flames win a few. Let's face it, they should have won at least two of these games. It is frustrating.

I'm happy that we were close in every game we lost. And it's not as if we were blown out in any of those games. Year 2 of the rebuild was expected to have some hiccups and this road trip was one of them.

In years past this team would have folded the tent after a few losses but this version keeps on fighting back and that's the part of the rebuild that gives me hope for the future. We work hard every night and the losing culture that once dominated the dressing room is now gone.

[wired]

Since the return of the injured players, the team is in a funk.
Wonder if there is any way to put them back on injured reserve.

[Finger Cookin]

It's disappointing that this streak has gotten this long - but I'm glad we've gone through some key things despite it. The roster is getting healthier, and the returning players will only get better in terms of conditioning and chemistry as games pile up. It's the twelve days of Christmas and the Flames are right in the thick of it battling for a playoff spot - how many times by now did we already know we would only get a lump of coal for the whole season, let alone for Christmas?

PDO has returned to a more normal number, and the possession numbers still could be improved - but we can't have the wins and points we've already earned taken away. Still four games over .500 and still showing a +10 goal differential.

The Flames have a week at home before a quick Pacific swing and the holiday break. They should get two good practice games in after the Rangers game on Tuesday. I expect they will start to pull out points and wins from some of these close games soon, and show some complete 60 minute games again.

[JohnnyT]

Side note from the game, I really don't think its to anyone's benefit to try to decide how others should react to each game, positive or negative. Its ok to be mad, especially during a long losing streak, and its ok if you feel that any success this year is gravy and the losses don't matter. Most people that are on this board are here because they care more about the team than the average fan, which means there are many passionate people here. Personally, I think its better if we can channel this passion into conversation about the game or coming schedule rather than trying to convenience others why they should or shouldn't be mad about losing.

[Camronius]

Originally Posted by skcli

3rd period by the Flames was terrible, except for the last 2 minutes....well, JG cost a game but he is learning and contributing. Just move on.....

whut JG blows a tire and somehow it's his fault there was no defensemen left in our zone. Seems like a few players were over zealous and forgot their #1 responsibility in a 1-1 game.

[herashak]

Well adirondack is on a streak

[ForeverFlameFan]

Johnny really needs to start roofing his shots, he'd have quite a few highlight reels if he just raised the puck.

[GoJetsGo]

Chicago is one of the best teams in the league and we gave them one hell of a run. We've lost 5 in a row, but the effort has been there. This is a young team and there's going to be ups and downs.

A select few seem like they aren't meant for the stress of watching hockey and would really be better served logging off their computers. There's more to life than getting that worked up over a game.

A few years ago the losing skids hurt because the team was supposed to be better than that. Now, this is still all a bonus. We're in year two of a rebuild and we're constantly skating with the best teams in the league in a season we're still overachieving in.

"This is fine."