[PGT] Flames nearly come back, lose 4-3 to Nashville

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Flames were out-goaltended. Again. It's getting really frustrating.

Did they play great? No. But they played pretty well for the first 25 or 30 minutes. Unfortunately, Saros stoned them and Johnson couldn't make saves when they needed them.

When that happens regularly, it deflates a team.

Agree with this. While not great, IMO the Flames played better than the Preds in the first. They didn't generate terrific chances and what they had were stopped. They defended well - look at the shots in that period. The Preds, on the other hand, had one decent chance due to soft defence all around and scored on a saveable shot.

The second period the Preds took over more and statred to play a defensive road game, but again I felt like they scored on the only real chances they had. On the other hand, the Flames played a weaker period as a whole.

[Royle9]

So, Bennett sat out last night and watched the team perform the same as they have when he's in the lineup.

Who's turn is it this time? Definitely feel JG needs his turn up there but so could half the team.. Pretty disappointing run they've had as of late, losing out on those much needed points.
We're going to look pretty silly when McJesus manages to carry EDM to the playoffs and our guys are golfing

That thought makes me nauseous.

[GioforPM]

Everyone is overlooking the Hathaway effect. Or lack thereof.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

I don't think the Flames only played five minutes. They got 14 shots in the first period and Saros was excellent. He let out almost no rebounds and made some good saves off tips from the high slot.

Flames sucked after that til the end. Gaudreau is struggling mightily and I didn't like Giordano's game tonight either.

I've just about lost faith in Johnson as a starter. Not just this game and I'm not entirely sure what it is but I think they need to keep looking.

A large number of those shots in the 1st were directed at his logo. There weren't a large number of high end saves from what I could see, they were mostly low risk shots or whatever the stats guys call it...no "High Danger Chances". A couple of tips however it never seemed like anything was truly going to happen.

There's a reason Johnson has always been a backup and I think we're starting to see that. He's a good goalie, and a terrific backup, but consistency is something that's a challenge. I think that separates the #1s from the #2s...and a fast glove hand.

I'm still sore I paid to watch a full effort last night and only got 1/12 of an effort. The Flames owe us a refund...I'd settle for crushing The Greasers on Saturday though my expectations of that are low. <cliche>The last 5 minutes of the game needs to be the first 5 and every 5 after that.</cliche>

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Everyone is overlooking the Hathaway effect. Or lack thereof.

Hathaway out?
Win is in doubt.

[GirlySports]

4-3 really?

/i'm hungover

[CaptainCrunch]

So I guess my frustration comes from a couple of places. But here's the key.

We know this team is rebuilding and have some fairly significant holes that probably won't be filled this year. a topBlueliner. Because of that this team is in that stage, where they're going to beat up lower teams, and struggle against middle of the road teams and get squashed by the really good teams. That's just the way it is. there's no way to really vault over this phase unless you want to completely fork over your rebuild.

However when your in that stage, the only way that your really going to beat those mid and topper tier teams is to have a relentless work ethic and attention to detail because god knows your not going to out talent those teams, and your not going to get consistent execution from your young core who are still learning.

That's why this whole thing at times is frustrating, because far too many times, we've seen the phrases "Started slow", "Poor effort" and "we need more from everybody"

Maybe this team has a fear of failure, heck maybe this team has a fear of success. Good for them for clawing back into the playoffs after a horrendous start, but it just feels like once they got there, the desperation and killer instinct evaporated.

The other thing that frustrates me, is we just frankly need more from those core players that we as fans have designated as the stars or drivers for this team. The young guys with 2 or three exceptions are really talented, but don't seem to be committed.

[UKflames]

The book is definitely out on Johnson, go high glove side and you have a goal, simple as.

[Demaeon]

Maybe the problem lies with letting an Australian wine dictate our line combos.

[jlh2640]

Johnson showing he is a backup at best. Time to ride Elliott for a few games and see what he is. Both guys may not be the answer long term

[Racki]

Originally Posted by UKflames

The book is definitely out on Johnson, go high glove side and you have a goal, simple as.

It sure seems that way. I don't get it, did this guy not play baseball as a kid? He even struggles to catch routine shots high to his glove side. He always seems to knock them down but he rarely makes a clean catch.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Racki

It sure seems that way. I don't get it, did this guy not play baseball as a kid? He even struggles to catch routine shots high to his glove side. He always seems to knock them down but he rarely makes a clean catch.

Greg F'N Millen of all people brought this up several weeks ago, prior to the Flames winning streak. How Johnson doesn't catch the puck but swats at it. I, of course, dismissed this because its Millen. He's a tool. But go figure, he was on to something.

Also, the Fan had an interview a few days ago with Johnson where they asked him about the goals vs. Florida. Worried if players would target his glove ow. He didn't seem worried, almost suggesting they should so he'd know it was coming. About that...

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Flames were out-goaltended. Again. It's getting really frustrating.

Did they play great? No. But they played pretty well for the first 25 or 30 minutes. Unfortunately, Saros stoned them and Johnson couldn't make saves when they needed them.

When that happens regularly, it deflates a team.

Respectfully, I disagree. Saros faced very little in the way of quality chances before the final five minutes. Lots of weak, perimeter shots that wouldn't have beaten me, never mind an actual NHL goalie.

Chad's first goal was super weak. It was a bad rebound and an even weaker effort on Neal's shot. Two goals came on partial breakaways - one on a horrific over commit by Wideman. No reason to give up the entire middle of the ice like that.

Had the Flames forced the issue at all during the first 55 minutes, Saros would not have held up. You should never lose to a goalie with a number in the 70s.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Royle9

So, Bennett sat out last night and watched the team perform the same as they have when he's in the lineup.

Who's turn is it this time? Definitely feel JG needs his turn up there but so could half the team.. Pretty disappointing run they've had as of late, losing out on those much needed points.

Gaudreau is just out of sorts all over the ice right now, he just doesn't seem to be as quick on his skates as last year and for that reason he seems to always be a step behind.

Partially to blame for the first two goals for Nashville last night.

Goal 1: Doesn't follow James Neal into the high slot and is caught staring at the man and the puck as Neal buries the rebound.

Goal 2: Is side by side with Ellis at the Predators blue line but can't keep up with him, Ellis gets two strides on him, and Gaudreau misses when trying to make the desperation play.

[UnitedFlames]

Who was Ryan Leslie interviewing in the 2nd intermission? I was in the concourse and couldn't hear, but they were showing highlights of old Corral games. I think it was the 2nd intermission... I saw Terry Crisp and Russ Peake, but who was the 3rd person he interviewed last night?

[FanIn80]

Anyone else miss the good ol' days when we used to suck at advanced stats, get badly outplayed every night, but still win the game anyway?

Don't get me wrong, I'm still pretty happy with this season so far, but man, getting outshot and winning > outshooting and losing.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Anyone else miss the good ol' days when we used to suck at advanced stats, get badly outplayed every night, but still win the game anyway?

Don't get me wrong, I'm still pretty happy with this season so far, but man, getting outshot and winning > outshooting and losing.

The Flames did not get badly outplayed. They just collapsed defensively too much and had defense pinch too often which resulted in breakdowns. They were a top 10 goal scoring team and you don't score that many goals getting outplayed. The system actually worked well especially against slower teams when they were receiving average NHL goaltending but last season when their goaltending dropped to decade league lows it was totally exposed. The Hartley system could have worked had he made some tweaks to the way the team defended but Hartley didn't really adapt.

These possession stats are meaningless if they don't result in bottom line wins and losses. The Flames are playing a better team game now but it appears that the skilled players are having a tough time adapting and really this is quite similar to when Brent took over after the Keenan years. It's possible this season may have to be written off as a season of players adapting and next season they will be more ready to go.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

These possession stats are meaningless if they don't result in bottom line wins and losses. The Flames are playing a better team game now but it appears that the skilled players are having a tough time adapting and really this is quite similar to when Brent took over after the Keenan years. It's possible this season may have to be written off as a season of players adapting and next season they will be more ready to go.

I just can't accept that it takes these guys 82 games to adapt to some mythical improved system. It's hockey. They are playing the way Gulutzan wants them to most of the time.

The entire Flames core posted career highs in points last season. They don't even look remotely close this go around. Last season, TJ Brodie's contract was a steal. This season it looks like he's being overpaid. He's been bad in a lot of games and we KNOW he's playing on the wrong side, that's not a buy-in or learning the system problem.

[mac_82]

Originally Posted by UnitedFlames

Who was Ryan Leslie interviewing in the 2nd intermission? I was in the concourse and couldn't hear, but they were showing highlights of old Corral games. I think it was the 2nd intermission... I saw Terry Crisp and Russ Peake, but who was the 3rd person he interviewed last night?

Eric Vail.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Anyone else miss the good ol' days when we used to suck at advanced stats, get badly outplayed every night, but still win the game anyway?

Don't get me wrong, I'm still pretty happy with this season so far, but man, getting outshot and winning > outshooting and losing.

Yeah, that one unrepeatable stretch during that single season was pretty awesome.
Good times!