[PGT] What the Tuch -- Flames lose 6-3 to Sabres

[Enoch Root]

Four penalties for CGY and 1 for BUF. And I thought BUF ran a LOT of interference, not to mention some solid hack jobs. How Dahlin's hack on Weegar - right in front of the ref - wasn't called, I have no idea.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by rogermexico

Zadorov forechecking in the third period was awesome.

Prob unpopular opinion but I think Zadorov on forward would be wicked haha

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by camm13

I'm a big Toffoli fan, I just don't see it working on that top line. The second line is obviously working and should stay in tack. Huberdeau works best with guys who are quick and fast at making plays on the rush (Bennett/Duclair), he's not a Gaudreau type where he's going to hold on and carry the puck into the zone and create that way. There's no puck carriers on that line right now and there's almost no sustained o - zone time with that line.

That's weird cause that's what I thought of Huberdeau as well when he made a lot of his passes last year on highlights. But CaliPanthersFan is a season ticket holder in Florida and said this isn't true, that he'd be great with a Toffoli type because he likes to cycle it down low and wait to make passes, so a guy like Toffoli can catch up and get fed.

For the record, I think he's also great in the zone once set up, but to fully utilize him you need two fast forwards that can take quick passes, at high speed. This is where Toffoli isn't much of an option until the play is settled in the oppositions zone.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Really impressed by my team tonight. I’ve been talking a lot about how the Sabres have really turned a corner and (understandably) getting a lot of “yeah sure’s ��” both here and in real life. Fast, lots of energy, opportunistic… a solid game all around. This was a big confidence building night for a young team, to come into a very good team’s building early in the season.

There’s a long way to go before I can relax, this franchise has given me lots of false hope in the past. But something definitely feels different about this group.

And Calgary will be just fine, there’s still new players learning chemistry. Great veteran team built to win and go far — but nobody goes 82-0!

They looked really good, and played with a lot of confidence.

Young teams tend to look good early in the season, and then the better teams eventually take over as the intensity of play picks up. But they have a lot of good young tools to build on.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Four penalties for CGY and 1 for BUF. And I thought BUF ran a LOT of interference, not to mention some solid hack jobs. How Dahlin's hack on Weegar - right in front of the ref - wasn't called, I have no idea.

Certainly didn't get the game management calls...behind most of the game and 1 pp

[Classic_Sniper]

Honestly thought the Flames were going to tie this one up, but Zadorov untimely penalty/goal pretty much killed any chance of that happening. Just a reminder for this team that their work, their checking and their details will have to be there all season long if this team wants to be successful.

Thought the 21-22 Flames got away with a lot of mediocre efforts last season because the top line won these types of games singlehandedly. But this team doesn’t have that kind of dominant line any more that can put up 3-4 goals on any given night, so it’ll have to be more of a collective effort this season and only a handful of players really showed up tonight. Don’t think effort will be an issue for the team on Saturday.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Really impressed by my team tonight. I’ve been talking a lot about how the Sabres have really turned a corner and (understandably) getting a lot of “yeah sure’s ��” both here and in real life. Fast, lots of energy, opportunistic… a solid game all around. This was a big confidence building night for a young team, to come into a very good team’s building early in the season.

There’s a long way to go before I can relax, this franchise has given me lots of false hope in the past. But something definitely feels different about this group.

And Calgary will be just fine, there’s still new players learning chemistry. Great veteran team built to win and go far — but nobody goes 82-0!

I'd still chill. I remember the season Minnesota was the top team in the NHL for the First month and half and finished right at the bottom.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I dunno - How long did the Hartley Flames do it?

The Sabres gave this team more trouble than the Avs, the Oilers or the Knights.

That some something about them.

Dino is not a guy that will make a prediction. He will wait until they’re credibly good to say so even though he knows. You don’t watch a team like that tonight and then conclude they are bad. What’s going to happen, they’ll all of a sudden forget how to skate?

That whole division is ridiculous. Montreal, Buffalo and Ottawa got better. Who is bad in that division? Detroit is even good? There’s not one bad team in that division. The only reason Buffalo misses playoffs is because their division is impossible and is by far the best in hockey.

Dino is right that it’s early but you could tell Buffalo was getting better in the last half of last year and then they improved over the summer. Thompson Tuch and Cozens is a legit line. They have a lot of good players and play fast and hard. Would not be surprised to watch both them and Ottawa make playoffs.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

They looked really good, and played with a lot of confidence.

Young teams tend to look good early in the season, and then the better teams eventually take over as the intensity of play picks up. But they have a lot of good young tools to build on.

this is more what I was saying...not taking anything away but I would be pretty surprised if they actually make the playoffs THIS season

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Dino is not a guy that will make a prediction. He will wait until they’re credibly good to say so even though he knows. You don’t watch a team like tonight that and then conclude they are bad.

That whole division is ridiculous. Montreal, Buffalo and Ottawa got better. Who is bad in that division? Detroit is even good? There’s not one bad team in that division. The only reason Buffalo misses playoffs is because their division is impossible and is by far the best in hockey.

Dino is right that it’s early but you could tell Buffalo was getting better in the last half of last year and then they improved over the summer. Thompson Tuch and Cozens is a legit line. They have a lot of good players and play fast and hard. Would not be surprised to watch both them and Ottawa make playoffs.

Wat and lol

they have improved a bit but come on man...Montreal is not "ridiculous" they will be at the bottom third of the league

I predict Buffalo will be 9th or 10th in the east so there you go

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Bright spot:
Huberdeau is a genius at passing

Too bad they don’t have a true sniper on the top line RW

[OutOfTheCube]

I would also be surprised if they make the playoffs this season - my prediction was always as a bubble team that’s playing meaningful games in March and April. Maybe things come together just right though… one can dream, lol.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Wat and lol

they have improved a bit but come on man...Montreal is not "ridiculous" they will be at the bottom third of the league

I predict Buffalo will be 9th or 10th in the east so there you go

That’s better / more like it and I agree, somewhere in there.

Montreal I think may have goaltending / D issues but I think their forwards are pretty good. I think that Caufield is really good, Monahan will be better this year and Dach… there’s a lot to like about their off-season actually. Slafkovsky is also excellent.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I would also be surprised if they make the playoffs this season - my prediction was always as a bubble team that’s playing meaningful games in March and April. Maybe things come together just right though… one can dream, lol.

If they were in the Pacific they’d be a playoff team 100%. The problem is they have to beat out in a crazy good division. Best in hockey without doubt. Not one weak team really.

Canucks would go 0-82 in that div. Same with Sharks.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

That’s better / more like it and I agree, somewhere in there.

Montreal I think may have goaltending / D issues but I think their forwards are pretty good. I think that Caufield is really good, Monahan will be better this year and Dach… there’s a lot to like about their off-season actually. Slafkovsky is also excellent.

I guarantee at least 2 teams in that division will be in bottom 3rd of the league though...there are certainly bad teams in the division.

3-5 games is way to small a sample size to say the division is "ridiculous" considering they likely have Bedard contenders

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Angelino

Too bad they don’t have a true sniper on the top line RW

But we DO have our next two 1st round picks, three recent 1st round prospects, and $5M in projected deadline cap space!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

If they were in the Pacific they’d be a playoff team 100%. The problem is they have to beat out in a crazy good division. Best in hockey without doubt. Not one weak team really.

Canucks would go 0-82 in that div. Same with Sharks.

Sharks that just beat the Rangers tonight...okay guy, put down the joint

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I guarantee at least 2 teams in that division will be in bottom 3rd of the league though...there are certainly bad teams in the division.

3-5 games is way to small a sample size to say the division is "ridiculous" considering they likely have Bedard contenders

Who are the bad teams?

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Sharks that just beat the Rangers tonight...okay guy, put down the joint

Sharks are awful. They may finish last place.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Sharks are awful. They may finish last place.

Yes they suck, you just said they would finish 0-82 in that division...they just beat the Rangers who many consider to be a top team