[PGT] Avs 3 Flames 2 on the brink

[PeteMoss]

I just want to add that Jankowski has been awful as well if it hasn't been mentioned among the whipping boys.

[Mr.Coffee]

Yeah Jankowski has been... wow. So bad. Looks like he’s not even trying.

[Drak]

It's too bad because Smith has been killer.

[Looch City]

Why am I so invested in the Flames?

So much potential completely wasted. Just disappointment all around.

I'm probably only going to watch the 1st period tomorrow.

[Husky]

Comes down to Flames top paid forwards not contributing. Huge fails so far by Gadreau, Monahan and Neal.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Yeah Jankowski has been... wow. So bad. Looks like he’s not even trying.

For that matter Monahan too. Monahan has had maybe 2 good shifts this series. Maybe. The rest has been floating around missing defensive assignments.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by Husky

Comes down to Flames top paid forwards not contributing. Huge fails so far by Gadreau, Monahan and Neal.

Neal has been a failure since October. The guy has no excuse.

[automaton 3]

Flames have gotten away from what made them so successful earlier in the year.

Anyone else remember the effortless zone exits? What is up with this pushing it weakly up the boards where the Avs intercept and chip it back in. An adjustment there goes a long ways.

Avs have been good yes. But I’ve seen this group of Flames play much better. They need to go home, have a beer, relax. A few game plan adjustments and everyone frickin hit Barrie at every opportunity and they could still pull this off.

[Ozy_Flame]

Didn't watch any of the game last night, so Smith was the only one standing on his head? My how the tables have turned since the beginning of the season.

[Drak]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Why am I so invested in the Flames?

So much potential completely wasted. Just disappointment all around.

I'm probably only going to watch the 1st period tomorrow.

It's bad eh? Hardly slept last night. Been awake since 4am.

[Ducay]

I'd say there is a group of 8 players led by the Bread Eater and Gio that seem to have a playoff compete level going; the rest? Send 'em to Mongolia

- Johnny "whine & coast" Gaudreau
- TJ "Bad Hockey Sense" Brodie
- Sean "Asleep at the wheel" Monahan
- James "are the Avs paying you off?" Neal

[Bonded]

Such a shame. A deep run is exactly what Calgary needed as a city. Seems like the franchise just cannot get it done in he playoffs

[JohnnyB]

Smith has not disappointed at all. He has been fantastic, which actually makes the rest of the Flames more disappointing.

I wish Peters was showing some sign of action though. He hasn't seemed to bring any compete level of his own. No gamesmanship. No emotional management. He should have complained publicly about the reffing to distract and take pressure off. He should have switched Smith out in game 3. He should have had the Flames ready to go and should be able to adapt the game plan as needed. None of these things going on though.

[Monahammer]

Johnny whiner performing live at the saddledome Friday, backed up by Tj the turnover and the Casper crew (neal, janko, Monahan).
This postseason has been the reverse of the first quarter of this season. Top 3 lines ineffective, bottom line somehow our best and smith playing great. Only TJs baffling decision making remains consistent

[Bonded]

Yeah, I have been a big defender of Monahan but he and gaudreau have been pretty much useless. Problem is that we are stuck with this team unless we hit it out of the park with a later pick. Do we even have any big skilled centers in our system?

[calgaryfox]

I have it on good authority that the NHL has received complaints from a couple of Millennials from the Flames organization. They claim that the results against the Avalanche weren’t fair and that they had been intimidated and bullied in the last four games. The NHL have responded saying “We take these allegations very seriously and in order to protect our little snowflakes, we are having their names inscribed on the Stanley Cup this year in the new section called “best triers”. They will also receive a participation medal.”

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by calgaryfox

I have it on good authority that the NHL has received complaints from a couple of Millennials from the Flames organization. They claim that the results against the Avalanche weren’t fair and that they had been intimidated and bullied in the last four games. The NHL have responded saying “We take these allegations very seriously and in order to protect our little snowflakes, we are having their names inscribed on the Stanley Cup this year in the new section called “best triers”. They will also receive a participation medal.”

Lies.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I didn't expect Calgary to have a deep run assuming their goaltending would let them down, never saw this coming.

[442scotty]

Johnny needs to quit whining. He’s embarrassing himself and turning the refs against the team. Jankowski has lots of skill but absolutely no fire in his belly and if he can’t get fired up because it’s not his nature then it’s time to move him out. Neal is a waste of a roster spot. Old before his time and done! Treliving is going to have his work cut out for him if he wants a cup contender. The team is entertaining though just like Tampa.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by nik-

The hilarious thing, in the most horrific, black comedy way possible, is that this is the high water mark of our rebuild. Like everyone had career years and this is the result.

FML.

Not sure it works that way. Gio aside, I think you expect a team with such a young core to have career years or close to it as they enter their primes. It would be a different more scary thing if we were relying of Neal or Brodie having career years for example.

But what this is clearly showing, is that the Flames likely overachieved in the regular season and we are much closer to the team that played post all star break not the one that we saw in the first half. That team played to a 95 point pace, which would have been good for 3rd in the division. Probably more in line with pre season expectations.

Finally it’s also showing what many feared, this team isn’t built the right way for a long playoff run. Don’t think many thought it would nail us this bad in round one (I sure didn’t) but regardless it’s reared it’s ugly head.

I think it’s a bit much to say this is as good as it gets. It’s a young team, we shoukd expect career years from players entering their primes and not assume they are statistical annomilies. In the same breath, playing well in the playoffs, especially as a favourite is another skill, also no reason to believe our young players can’t get better at playoff hockey as the years go by. And lastly, seems like BT akso wasn’t sure this team had the exact right make up, and will likely try to improve it.

Point being, as much as this stings, once the emotions settle down, the truth is this year is an improvement and a step forward. Back in the playoffs and for the first time in over a decade, the team didn’t push it to the last possible minute to qualify and also snagged hone ice. Those last points make this outcome so much more painful, but they are steps forward none the less.

Our current players will get better, and no doubt BT will make changes too, he’s never been shy to do so.