[PGT] Stars 4 Flames 3

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Eh, he needs to be better. He iced the puck on a power play and killed three separate zone entries with terrible passes. He deserves all the flack he is getting

He was actually good on the powerplay that he flubbed the icing on. But the others were not good. Not sure why he was carrying the puck in the first place. It wasn’t all his fault - the unit was all so static on the entry it was easy to defend. But he was not good at handling the puck all night.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Weegar was the best player on the ice. Mangiapane probably had his best game of the season so far. Agree on Tanev - he has struggled so far this year, but then again, I expect that of the older vets - they get better as the season goes on.

Weegar had some horrific moments handling the puck. People complain about Huberdeau’s icing on a power play. Weegar gave it up with a fanned pass and they almost had a breakaway, and it wasn’t his only fan. TBF his third period was good.

[Enoch Root]

I thought Sharangovich played well too - unlucky a couple times, but the chances are starting to come more frequently. I think he is on the verge of breaking out.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Huberdeau isn’t lazy, and neither is his play. The effort is there. He just isn’t playing well. Like I said, you are making things up to suit a narrative.

His effort looks inconsistent to me. Sometimes very little effort, but at other times he looks like he is trying. When there is a play developing, he seems to take it up a notch, but when nothing is developing, he doesn't seem to try hard. He just kind of waits for something to happen before he goes for it. It probably averages out to an average effort.

His teammates have to be getting fed up with him. He killed so many plays tonight.

[Goriders]

They have to win at a .625 pace to get to 95 points. So almost 2 out of 3 go forward.

I can’t see that happening. I’d keep bringing up young guys to see who can play and start piecing together the strategy to dump higher cap hit floaters.

Start tearing down the retirement club.

[SuperMatt18]

Also 62.9% xGF for Huberdeau-Lindholm-Mangiapane as a line again tonight. Still no idea why they were broken up after the Columbus game and nice to see them go back to that line.

Season stats remain strong:

59.8% Corsi For
66.7% High Danger For
59.5% Expected Goals
4 GF, 3 GA

I'm sure the coaching staff will break it up again next game but they really shouldn't

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

At this point I feel bad for the guy, it's just not working and not for a lack of effort, it's a lack of confidence.

And really he must know by now that the fan base hates him and is scapegoating him for all the bad things in this franchise, none of which is actually his fault.

He's been nothing but try to be a good ambassador for the franchise since being traded here, has been involved heavily in Kid's Cancer Care and "Huby's Hangout" and gets no credit for any of that.

I hear everything you're saying and kind of feel bad for him too.
But then I remember how much he's being paid and I don't.
Then I remember he's still a human and I do.

I don’t know, it's all just a messy situation. He does seem like a good person with a good attitude.
It's a shame it has gone this way.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Kadri's best game this year, and probably his best in the last 50 or so.

Kadri played with some urgency tonight, and while he has made some boneheaded plays this season, at least gets some looks here and there. He had some good chances in the St. Louis and Rangers games, but flubbed them.

Hopefully this line stays together for a bit.

[topfiverecords]

Has there been a game against Dallas that Benn hasn’t scored against us? I honestly can’t remember one.

[Dion]

At least we have a winner in Tim Hunter

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

It was interesting to watch how much faster the Flames looked tonight. First of all, they were engaged and hustling - on their toes - but also, it was because they were actually completing passes, and moving the puck quickly.

The Flames aren't the fastest team in the league, obviously. But you don't have to be, in order to play fast. Tonight they played fast. And it was so much better to watch.

Also, Huska looks like a lot better coach when they play like that. Funny how that works.

Yeah something was different about their approach tonight and it was very apparent out there.

Might be the first time I found their playing style entertaining in spite of the score, and it was mostly due to pace. I think that lent itself to more battles along the boards won as well.

It's crazy how much more competent a team can look just by playing a bit faster and hitting more of their passes than not.

[NewFan]

I think Flames unofficially tanking and Conroy, Huska and Markstrom and Huberdeau quietly agreed and helping the team get loss most of the night. Markstrom a soft goal here or there, Huberdeau return the puck effortlessly, Huska is line juggling and Conroy is not signing the big UFAs.

[Zamboniman]

When do we see the first top 3 draft choice snake posted?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Does Huberdeau not do any interviews either? Guess there is a few things he doesn't seem to show up for.

I think he had to take a…

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I hear everything you're saying and kind of feel bad for him too.
But then I remember how much he's being paid and I don't.
Then I remember he's still a human and I do.

I don’t know, it's all just a messy situation. He does seem like a good person with a good attitude.
It's a shame it has gone this way.

I'm not saying I don't think any of it is his fault, he owns his own play on the ice and those struggles, but I still feel bad for him.

He didn't ask for any of this either, was blindsided by the trade from Florida, and could have been paid $9.5M+ anywhere in the NHL coming off his 115 pt season, so it can't just be "he gets paid a lot so deal with it"

He wasn't the one that walked Gaudreau to free agency or bridged Tkachuk.

He wasn't the one that left to be closer to family in Columbus.

He wasn't the one that asked for a trade because he wanted to live an golf in Florida.

He wasn't the one who demands that the team try to win now instead of rebuilding.

He wasn't the coach who couldn't just not be an ####### for 5 minutes or try to at least be a little collaborative with others in the org.

Yet it feels like the fan base seems to blame him (and Kadri) for all of those things even though neither of them had anything to do with it. They are just the ones that committed to the city and now have to wear the blame for all those other decisions since those other guys are all gone.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

I agree. And yet, once again, his one "soft" hiccup in an otherwise strong performance ends up being the difference.

Seems to be a theme with him.

Also Ras controller disconnect

[beaster]

I’d be happy to get a 3d round pick for Hanifin. He makes Travis Hamonic look like Scott Niedermayer.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Also Ras controller disconnect

Just tank stuff.

[Dion]

I have a feeling that Huberdeau can't handle the pressure of being a high priced player on this team and all the demands that come with it. His confidence seems shot and has that look when he's on the ice.

[skcli]

Did Backlund play tonight?