[PGT] We gotta fire the coach, oh wait and Tre better make some calls. Flames lose 5-3

[Calgary4LIfe]

Was starting to get excited with the Flames pulling out a win tonight, but that crashed back down to earth. All I have now is silver linings.


This is just the weirdest thing that is going on here. You can't really blame Markstrom for the losses, but he hasn't 'won' a game for Calgary since the first couple of weeks of the season. They are looking better to me, but somehow every mistake goes in the back of the net, and they can't out-score their problems - not even close. On paper, they are not THIS bad. The eye test confirms that they are not THIS bad. Underlying metrics confirms that they are not THIS bad. Say what you will about them, they are simply not THIS bad of a team, but here we are.



I figured it all out, however. I have figured out this frustrating season for which nobody seems to have any real answers. It is solved.


The reason the Flames suck, is 100% because of Mike Smith. Why? Because that mother####er drank Jobu's rum in 2017! This season is the result of that. Flames just have to ride this season out, and next season will be way better, trust me. But yeah, they should do their best to improve their roster nonetheless. They sold their souls to Jobu, and he is extracting his pound of flesh this season.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I can almost guarantee Talbot would be over 90% (better than Markstrom) if he were on the Flames this year. 90% is very low, especially for a goalie who is at 92.4% this year. And again, Rittich is the controlled variable.

Prior to free agency I wrote at least 20 posts saying the Flames should keep Talbot instead of signing Markstrom. Some would be complaining, but I wouldn't be.

With the exceptions of Hiller and Elliott who both let in multiple inexcusable leaky back breakers, goaltending has not been the issue people seemingly like to make it out to be

I thought the Rittich - Talbot tandem was good enough, especially considering dollars

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

With the exceptions of Hiller and Elliott who both let in multiple inexcusable leaky back breakers, goaltending has not been the issue people seemingly like to make it out to be

I thought the Rittich - Talbot tandem was good enough, especially considering dollars

They did blow the elimination game...7 goals on 7 scoring chances. Then you had a guy that carried a team to the playoffs and won a round

Markstrom will bounce back...he has had like 15 average/poor games after an injury in a weird season. Everything is magnified right now.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They did blow the elimination game...7 goals on 7 scoring chances. Then you had a guy that carried a team to the playoffs and won a round

Markstrom will bounce back...he has had like 15 average/poor games after an injury in a weird season. Everything is magnified right now.

Honestly they should shut him down.

The late reactions, not tracking the puck...that feels more confidence and mental to me. Could easily be lingering effects from the concussion.

Should be clear too thay under Sutter it’s not like he’s just been okay, his numbers are bottom 10 goalie in the league bad under the 65 that qualify.

That’s not in line with his previous history at all and to me that screams that something still isn’t right with him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Going to focus on these two for a second.

Two things:

1) Stop playing them with Ritchie

Gaudreau and Monahan with Ritchie:

xGF: 45.2%
GF: 0
GA: 5

Gaudreau and Monahan without Ritchie:

xGF%: 52.5%
GF: 15
GA: 7

So it was a fun or two game thing but the fact it’s gone on this long is ridiculous and he’s an anchor bringing that line down.

2) They aren’t a 200ft shutdown line, stop trying to make them that.

Under Sutter the Gaudreau-Monahan-Ritchie line has the lowest offensive zone start percentage. Starting these guys in our own end is asking for trouble, especially when paired with Richie who is a questionable NHLer at this point.

Can’t disagree. During a shift change Dube was with them and they looked downright dangerous. Meanwhile Ritchie flubs pretty much every zone exit and kills the play from the get go. Dube, despite his size, is a good forechecker, and would do well with them. Plus he’s better defensively than Ritchie.

[Circa89]

Lucic played well again! So there’s that.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I can almost guarantee Talbot would be over 90% (better than Markstrom) if he were on the Flames this year.

Even if he did the results would be the same. No goalie would be able to save this season's team and their stats wouldn't look very impressive.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Can’t disagree. During a shift change Dube was with them and they looked downright dangerous. Meanwhile Ritchie flubs pretty much every zone exit and kills the play from the get go. Dube, despite his size, is a good forechecker, and would do well with them. Plus he’s better defensively than Ritchie.

Yeah I don’t get why it hasn’t been tried more often.

They’ve only played 36 minutes together over the last two years. Which seems weird because it seems like the combination of speed, skill, and tenacity that Dube brings is exactly what is needed on that line.

Sure none of them are great defensively but they should be put in more sheltered offensive roles anyways. Let Backlund/Lindholm take the tougher matchups

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Even if he did the results would be the same. No goalie would be able to save this season's team and their stats wouldn't look very impressive.

Yes I believe this team is equally ####ed all around. Nobody pushes each other to be be better. All these years of Giordano being a great captain are nonsense. He is a great community person and thats that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah I don’t get why it hasn’t been tried more often.

They’ve only played 36 minutes together over the last two years. Which seems weird because it seems like the combination of speed, skill, and tenacity that Dube brings is exactly what is needed on that line.

Sure none of them are great defensively but they should be put in more sheltered offensive roles anyways. Let Backlund/Lindholm take the tougher matchups

Dube has been put in checking roles in the past (WJC for example) and Monahan is getting some PK reps so it might not be that bad defensively if they put their minds to it. And get paired with Tanev and Hanifin.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I, for one, hope this is the return of stretch beast mode Mikael Backlund.

He’s one of my favourite Flames

[868904]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I really really want the centre in this draft Bernie or whatever. He will be a mix between drasatil and horvath and that works for a start. We aren't restarting with nothing .

I'm really drunk

I want them to use every draft pick for the next 3 drafts on centre until they find a number one centre. I’m sick of this team not have a top centre.

[meh]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

I, for one, hope this is the return of stretch beast mode Mikael Backlund.

He’s one of my favourite Flames

Trade him....too soft.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by 868904

I want them to use every draft pick for the next 3 drafts on centre until they find a number one centre. I’m sick of this team not have a top centre.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1378858815701979136


Need to get this guy. Hopefully he hits the market in a year. Throw everything at him.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I can almost guarantee Talbot would be over 90% (better than Markstrom) if he were on the Flames this year. 90% is very low, especially for a goalie who is at 92.4% this year. And again, Rittich is the controlled variable.

Prior to free agency I wrote at least 20 posts saying the Flames should keep Talbot instead of signing Markstrom. Some would be complaining, but I wouldn't be.

I said basically the same thing a hundred times. I'm not a Markstrom believer, and I've always said that he'll become the whipping boy sooner or later. I would like to be wrong though.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Monahan on pace for under 10 goals in a regular 82 game season.

Lindholm 12... what happened to this guy? Started the year great now looks like 4th liner. Tkachuk has 10 goals this season. Backlund 7. Monahan’s 171st in the NHL.

Pretty clear what this teams issue is.

Multiple organ failure might be a reasonable cause of death but it's hardly a diagnosis.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Sandman

This is the way.

This is the way.

[Tsawwassen]

Post game links
https://scores.nbcsports.com/nhl/rec...=21&final=true
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...cap134194.html

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Monahan on pace for under 10 goals in a regular 82 game season.

Lindholm 12... what happened to this guy? Started the year great now looks like 4th liner. Tkachuk has 10 goals this season. Backlund 7. Monahan’s 171st in the NHL.

Pretty clear what this teams issue is.

Born under a bad sign?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Send them to the military for the offseason.

The Army of Darkness?