[PGT] 12 straight opening night losses

[BigRed]

I realize this is a tired line, but: Kyillington was far and away the best D in the preseason and this is what he gets. He earned a chance. This was not a chance.

I don't remember when it was, but Andersen-Ollie was a pretty good pair when they were used together.

And a 1 game sample size isn't much to go on, but Gudbranson (as observed) isn't terrible -- or slow, surprisingly.

Zadorov is both of those things.

Tanev-Hanifin
Andersen-Ollie
Gud-Valimaki

Stone in for Gud when he falters or vs a softer team.

Sit Zadorov. Try to ditch the 4 mln cap hit sooner than later.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Flames need Eichal

I’d prefer they get Eichel instead.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Flames were the better team, I'm happy enough with that. Take less penalties next time

Moral victories after a 5 - 2 beat down. It's crazy how low the bar has become for this organization. If the league gave out participation points Flames would be off to a great start.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

Erik Gudbranson was incredible tonight 5v5:

CF%: 86.96%
FF%: 85.71%
SF%: 86.67%
SCF%: 100.00%
HDCF%: 100.00%%
xGF%: 93.90%

Had the best numbers by far of anyone on either team.

Wtf lmao

Lol watch Gudbranson be this year’s Tanev. I wouldn’t complain.

Need more Kylington though. Coleman will certainly help too.

[Vinny01]

I thought the Flames looked pretty good for most of the game. When they made it 3-2 I thought they had a chance but then Puljujarvi scores almost immediately. That is what makes this Oilers team a tough one this year. McDavid and Draisaitl will get their points but Puljujarvi, Hyman, Nuge give them an added layer of depth they didn’t really have in the past.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by BagoPucks

Just watched Sutter postgame, calls out Monahan at the end.

Monahan quit after Kassian did something to him. My guess is injured again, or at least his fans will claim later.

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

was again reminded that Johnny becomes a liability when games get tougher. He cannot play on the boards and this drags his line down.

between this and Chucky's between the leg no look passes, that line will be pinned in the D zone a lot this year.

[Rick M.]

Monahan took a high hit from Nurse along the boards. Later, he got run over from behind by Kassian. I thought those were the 2 guys who were supposed to be intimidated by the new, tougher version of the Flames.

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Moral victories after a 5 - 2 beat down. It's crazy how low the bar has become for this organization. If the league gave out participation points Flames would be off to a great start.

It wasn't a beat down. We outplayed them, their top guys showed up, ours didn't.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Monahan took a high hit from Nurse along the boards. Later, he got run over from behind by Kassian. I thought those were the 2 guys who were supposed to be intimidated by the new, tougher version of the Flames.

Oilers had a plan, unfortunately, they have a good coach and have improved. Targeting Monahan was probably part of their plan as was getting into the Flames crease. Flames could have done more, such as bumping into Smith and getting him off his game. Lay some hits on McDavid, push him around.

Oilers did small things to force the Flames to take penalties

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

It wasn't a beat down. We outplayed them, their top guys showed up, ours didn't.

It matters not how they came to the outcome as it is the final outcome that only matters. The final outcome was 5 - 2 beatdown on the scoreboard. There are no participation points in professional sports, just the final results on the scoreboard. Sounds like a Coyotes forum or something where fans are happy that the team played well in a 3 goal loss.

[Red_Baron]

The good news is that after seeing how bad the oilers are defensively, they are going to lose a lot of games.

Stink-Eye Smith will be worn out by the first week of November if he faces 47 a night.

Ans some of you guys are putting way too much stock in a season opening game against a team that has a game under its belt and rode their horses hard all pre-season. This is probably the best they will play all season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It matters not how they came to the outcome as it is the final outcome that only matters. The final outcome was 5 - 2 beatdown on the scoreboard. There are no participation points in professional sports, just the final results on the scoreboard. Sounds like a Coyotes forum or something where fans are happy that the team played well in a 3 goal loss.

Of course how they played matters. If you’re working towards improving the team, playing well matters even in a loss.

[Young Guns]

3 guys on the Oilers beat us. We have absolutely no answer for stopping them when we play each other. If McDavid ever got hurt the Oilers season would be over.
To me we looked very slow when rushing down the ice. By the time we get into the Oilers zone, then stop and circle back toward the blue line, all 5 defending players have gotten back. I think 1 time last night Gaudreau decided to turn the jets on and actually drive the net. Mangipane Only other Flame with wheels that doesn’t stop and cut back.

[Poe969]

But they've been losing the proper way for years!!! They aren't improving the team, they're tinkering and that's it.

This Flames team is like a Chevy suburban, it's not good enough to win any races or win the best looking. Instead of changing things completely, every year they add a racing stripe or a spoiler or something else that doesn't really change what they are.

Stop tinkering and get a better car.

[DJones]

I'm happy with the game. Entertaining to watch, 2nd line looked great, they stuck up for eachother.

Dial it back on the penalties, get Zadorov away from Tanev and we'll be fine. A hot goalie and McDavid can beat anyone.

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Monahan took a high hit from Nurse along the boards. Later, he got run over from behind by Kassian. I thought those were the 2 guys who were supposed to be intimidated by the new, tougher version of the Flames.

To be fair I think Kassian is too stupid to be intimidated... him blowing kisses thinking he got away with his crap before being hauled to the box shows his level of intelligence.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I thought the Flames looked pretty good for most of the game. When they made it 3-2 I thought they had a chance but then Puljujarvi scores almost immediately. That is what makes this Oilers team a tough one this year. McDavid and Draisaitl will get their points but Puljujarvi, Hyman, Nuge give them an added layer of depth they didn’t really have in the past.

Unfortunately, I think this is the truth. Mcdavid and Draisaitl teams were still able to contain but now it looks like pizza boy is finally figuring it out and starting to play like a top five pick. Hyman is a solid player. At some point there is just too much talent to lose hockey games.
I still don't think they'll go anywhere in the playoffs with that defense and goaltending but regular season, I can see them simply outscoring teams and winning a lot of games.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Moral victories after a 5 - 2 beat down. It's crazy how low the bar has become for this organization. If the league gave out participation points Flames would be off to a great start.

I don't think it's moral victories to point out how the actual game rolled out.

When I try and assess a team and where it's going I like to look deeper than the final score.

The Flames played pretty well in my mind, better than the score suggested.

That doesn't mean anything on this night, they didn't get the two points, but it sure as hell gives me more optimism that they could have a decent season if they put efforts/game plans like that together consistently.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Saqe

Unfortunately, I think this is the truth. Mcdavid and Draisaitl teams were still able to contain but now it looks like pizza boy is finally figuring it out and starting to play like a top five pick. Hyman is a solid player. At some point there is just too much talent to lose hockey games.
I still don't think they'll go anywhere in the playoffs with that defense and goaltending but regular season, I can see them simply outscoring teams and winning a lot of games.

The only ####ty thing is that it is only Vegas that can prevent the Oilers from getting to the Conference Finals. The rest of the Pacific is terrible, regardless of what other teams make the playoffs. It would be nice if there was another team that could beat the Oilers from the Pacific in the playoffs.