[Game Takes] Flames 5 Hawks 3

[Bingo]

Game Takes:
Flames 5 Hawks 3

- Flames and Rittich have a rough 8 minute span in the first
- Dominate the final 40 minutes
- Lindholm ride continues with three point game
- Peters goes blender to create three scoring lines, all contribute

[Moneyhands23]

Jankowski may need to go down at some point. Guy is really fighting it this year.

[kermitology]

So I wasn’t the only one who noticed the hook right before the Hawks second goal..

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by kermitology

So I wasn’t the only one who noticed the hook right before the Hawks second goal..

Trying to shoot and is hooked twice ... exactly the call they make as a no brainer every time. I was shocked it wasn't called.

[transplant99]

Tonight in a game that Calgary pretty much dominated for entirety of the second and third periods, the Flames gave up only six five on five high danger chances in the game, their new season low, and yet another step in the right direction. With average goaltending you need to give up less, and that’s about as important a factor in this four game win streak that you’ll find.

And this is, by far, the most important issue with this hockey team.

Sure the goaltending has been below average, but the amount of great chances and looks they have been giving up screams that its a team defense problem as much as anything to do with the guys between the pipes.

It appears they are starting to understand their gap and spacing issues they were bleeding all over the place and are on the right path. They had to though or they were no where near a "contending" team as many seem to think they my be.

Still a lot of work to do, but certainly this group looks like they are starting to buy in to Peters way of doing things.

Great observations as usual DM.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by kermitology

So I wasn’t the only one who noticed the hook right before the Hawks second goal..

Everyone noticed it. Cole and DeBrusk even commented on it.

[Enoch Root]

I would not be at all surprised if Stone gets back in for the LA game (and/or Anaheim). Heavy games where his size and physicality would be an asset.

Also, a pretty good chance Dube is out, so Czarnik is very likely to be back in.

And yes, Jankowski is struggling. He could probably use a stint in the A to catch his breath. Other than the goaltending, the biggest disappointment so far this year has been the #3 C. Ryan has been okay as a 4, but zero offense. Jankowski has struggled. The result is that our best sniper, Neal, is not getting opportunities.

I think Bennett at C is the best solution right now. I would suggest:

Tkachuk - Bennett - Neal

with Dube on Backlund's line, but that's probably out the window for now.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Glad you were able to go to the Dome for this one!

[Enoch Root]

Last year after 15 games, the Flames were 8-7-0 with 36GF and 43GA.

While GA have creeped up to 49 (thanks to the PIT game), GF are up 44.4%

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Glad you were able to go to the Dome for this one!

It's amazing how you lose your wind on chemotherapy. Heart races easily and simple things like a walk to the car or climbing up to your seats just destroy my physically. I feel like I've added 20 years of age in the last 6 months.

So after that effort I'm glad they damn well won!

[killer_carlson]

To my eye, Ryan was a problem on the Bennett Frolik line. I don't think he added much and he loses too many battles.

i'd rather have had Jankowski (or Foo) on that line and Ryan on the bench.

[thefoss1957]

My post from GDT: "The 'Hawk defense is a hot mess!"

When the Flames finally used up all of Crawford's luck, by piling chance upon chance, my observation rang true with a vengeance.

The Flames dictated the pace, and got the result they deserved.

Once Keith got "Peeled off" (couldn't resist the pun, srry!), the 'Hawks were down to ONE proven, but, sadly, fading, NHL quality D-Man, Seabrook, a couple of lame journeymen, Manning and Gustafsson, Rutta, with less than 60 NHL games under his belt, and a 19yo Rook, that, despite Q's reputation for "hating" youngsters (IMO, not true), played 1st pair minutes.

This takes nothing away from the Calgary effort, they exploited the exploitable, and that is what good teams should do.

Again, thanks to my friends here at CP...the GDT and GT were fun, and informative, but, do me a favor, and keep those unstoppable DOG photos off of the GT for the 12/2/18 rematch!

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

To my eye, Ryan was a problem on the Bennett Frolik line. I don't think he added much and he loses too many battles.

i'd rather have had Jankowski (or Foo) on that line and Ryan on the bench.

Jankowski isn't the answer right now, he's struggled.

As many have said I think Bennett at center on the third line is probably your best bet offensively, that is if you think his replacement on the left side (Dube, Mangiapane, Frolik moved over) is suitable.

Ryan is a low event guy. It's not sexy, but bad things don't tend not to happen when he's on the ice.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

To my eye, Ryan was a problem on the Bennett Frolik line. I don't think he added much and he loses too many battles.

i'd rather have had Jankowski (or Foo) on that line and Ryan on the bench.

I'd give this line a game or two before passing judgement.

Ryan being a RH shot is a big advantage in their own zone.

[442scotty]

I don’t think Rittich had a bad game. Pretty hard to find fault on the three goals he let in. Screen shot, 5-3 deflection, and getting run into by two players after stopping the puck.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

I don’t think Rittich had a bad game. Pretty hard to find fault on the three goals he let in. Screen shot, 5-3 deflection, and getting run into by two players after stopping the puck.

I thought Rittich was fine, but yesterday's game got me to thinking about a theory of Flames Saddledome goaltending struggles that has been floated a few times. Do our goalies struggle with high levels of inactivity between plays? Last night the Flames pretty much owned the offensive zone—as they have been want to do for a lot of games this year, and quite frequently on home ice. Is it difficult for the Flames goalies to maintain a level of competitiveness when they are not getting many touches?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I thought Rittich was fine, but yesterday's game got me to thinking about a theory of Flames Saddledome goaltending struggles that has been floated a few times. Do our goalies struggle with high levels of inactivity between plays? Last night the Flames pretty much owned the offensive zone—as they have been want to do for a lot of games this year, and quite frequently on home ice. Is it difficult for the Flames goalies to maintain a level of competitiveness when they are not getting many touches?

It is possible I suppose. They'd need to have a certain level of ADHD to not stay into the flow of the game though.

I know Smith for sure is a guy that rolls best with a high volume of shots thrown his way. Maybe Rittich is a guy that can have a nap for stretches and still b ready to go in an instant.

I think Niemi was that guy for CHI when they won their first. Came up big with a low volume of shots thrown at him.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Jankowski isn't the answer right now, he's struggled.

As many have said I think Bennett at center on the third line is probably your best bet offensively, that is if you think his replacement on the left side (Dube, Mangiapane, Frolik moved over) is suitable.

Ryan is a low event guy. It's not sexy, but bad things don't tend not to happen when he's on the ice.

Great write up, as usual.