Pittsburgh blowout - a tale of two records since - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

JackIsBack · 11-22-2018, 06:19 AM

After Pittsburgh scored 14 goals against Calgary (9-1) and Vancouver (5-0), their record has been dismal since - falling all the way down to last place at one time during that stretch.

They went 2-7-2 (6 points).

Calgary fortunes on the other hand have gone exactly in the opposite direction, going 8-3-1 (17 points) and grabbing top spot in their division.

I think that the Pittsburgh game was a wake up call for the Flames and a coaching moment that Peters has exploited brilliantly since - Calgary's defense has been much improved since that game.

Thoughts?

Phagoof · 11-22-2018, 06:31 AM

It's pretty amazing in-spite of Neal and Smith that this team has done so well. We have a really solid core. Tkachuk and Lindholm have turned up their games to 11, Johnny is being Johnny and Mony is finally healthy. Not to mention Gio and Brodie are playing as good as any top pairing defense in the league.

Could you imagine if we had been playing Rittich all season and Neal had 10 goals? Scary.

This could be the year. I hope Tre makes a couple moves here to put us over the top.

Temporary_User · 11-22-2018, 06:47 AM

Peters stated that he completely revised the system after the Pitts game.

Erick Estrada · 11-22-2018, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phagoof

It's pretty amazing in-spite of Neal and Smith that this team has done so well. We have a really solid core. Tkachuk and Lindholm have turned up their games to 11, Johnny is being Johnny and Mony is finally healthy. Not to mention Gio and Brodie are playing as good as any top pairing defense in the league.

Could you imagine if we had been playing Rittich all season and Neal had 10 goals? Scary.

This could be the year. I hope Tre makes a couple moves here to put us over the top.

Granted Smith has probably cost the Flames at least 6 points but what had Neal done to cost the Flames wins? He hasn't scored and has been a bit of a disappointment but they certainly aren't winning in spite of him. They are winning despite him not contributing which to me is a good sign as if he gets going they will be that much better but really I don't see how he's going to get going playing on that line with those linemates. It's like how we kept waiting for Bennett to break out last season on that line. 3rd line really isn't a spot where you expect a player to break out offensively because he's playing with two players that also aren't scoring consistently if at all.

JackIsBack · 11-22-2018, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

Peters stated that he completely revised the system after the Pitts game.

Which is just smart coaching - always looking for what works, for what motivates your team (and at this level, that's key). A great coach is always tweaking their approach to stay fresh.

JackIsBack · 11-22-2018, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

but what had Neal done to cost the Flames wins? He hasn't scored and has been a bit of a disappointment but they certainly aren't winning in spite of him. They are winning despite him not contributing which to me is a good sign as if he gets going they will be that much better but really I don't see how he's going to get going playing on that line with those linemates. It's like how we kept waiting for Bennett to break out last season on that line. 3rd line really isn't a spot where you expect a player to break out offensively because he's playing with two players that also aren't scoring consistently if at all.

I don't think Phagoof was suggesting that Neal has been costing us wins... I think he's saying that imagine where we'd be if Neal was scoring at last years pace.

I think the great hope was that Neal would turn our third line into an offensive juggernaut as well. But I think we also all thought that he'd be on our first or second line.

Oling_Roachinen · 11-22-2018, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackIsBack

After Pittsburgh scored 14 goals against Calgary (9-1) and Vancouver (5-0), their record has been dismal since - falling all the way down to last place at one time during that stretch.

They went 2-7-2 (6 points).

Calgary fortunes on the other hand have gone exactly in the opposite direction, going 8-3-1 (17 points) and grabbing top spot in their division.

Thoughts?

Seen Space Jam? The Flames stole the Penguins talents, we're the Monstars.

CalgaryFan1988 · 11-22-2018, 08:16 AM

I think Sidney Crosby being out for a stretch played a factor.

JackIsBack · 11-22-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I think Sidney Crosby being out for a stretch played a factor.

Yes.... but they're still a good team without him. Imagine what Edmonton would be if McDavid went down for any length of time - they'd be a last place team (in the league) and I don't think I'm overstating (or understating, depending how you look at it) that prediction at all.

getbak · 11-22-2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I think Sidney Crosby being out for a stretch played a factor.

He only missed 3 games (they went 0-2-1 in those games). They were 1-5-1 in the games between the Vancouver win and his injury.

t0rrent98 · 11-22-2018, 09:09 AM

I actually don't mind not seeing Neal score goals during the regular season even through it would be nice. I'd rather he get on a hot streak in the post season because it's where it count's the most.

the2bears · 11-22-2018, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phagoof

It's pretty amazing in-spite of Neal and Smith that this team has done so well.

Keep grinding that ax Phagoof.

CalgaryFan1988 · 11-22-2018, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

He only missed 3 games (they went 0-2-1 in those games). They were 1-5-1 in the games between the Vancouver win and his injury.

I would assume that his "upper body injury" was nagging for a while and finally sat out some games to heal properly. Will be interesting to see how they play their next 10.

I know Murray's hasn't been playing well either.

I definitely think that game woke Calgary up, I just know how valuable Crosby is to the Pens.

Hot_Flatus · 11-22-2018, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phagoof

It's pretty amazing in-spite of Neal and Smith that this team has done so well. We have a really solid core. Tkachuk and Lindholm have turned up their games to 11, Johnny is being Johnny and Mony is finally healthy. Not to mention Gio and Brodie are playing as good as any top pairing defense in the league.

Could you imagine if we had been playing Rittich all season and Neal had 10 goals? Scary.

This could be the year. I hope Tre makes a couple moves here to put us over the top.

Smith has been the only issue this team has aside from maybe tightening up the PK (which has improved). Neal is not scoring but is hardly a hindrance to the team at this point and to be honest, I don't expect him to score much unless he's seeing time with the teams top 3 or 4 forwards. He's never been the type of player to create much on his own so why expect it here?

I hope Tre sits tight and allows this team to unfold as it is. If the goaltending can hold up under Rittich there is no reason to make trades and screw up chemistry that is building. Let it ride with a weak division that this group may very well dominate if things continue.

Kovaz · 11-22-2018, 10:02 AM

Bingo pointed this out elsewhere, but our team D has been a huge factor in the improvement.

Up to and including the Pittsburgh game, we were allowing 16.13 High-Danger chances / 60, comfortably in last place. In the games since, we're allowing 8.97, good for fifth.

As far as our goaltending goes, I think it'll go a long way towards both Rittich maintaining his form and Smith recovering his form if we can keep the chances against down.

genetic_phreek · 11-22-2018, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackIsBack

After Pittsburgh scored 14 goals against Calgary (9-1) and Vancouver (5-0), their record has been dismal since - falling all the way down to last place at one time during that stretch.

They went 2-7-2 (6 points).

Calgary fortunes on the other hand have gone exactly in the opposite direction, going 8-3-1 (17 points) and grabbing top spot in their division.

I think that the Pittsburgh game was a wake up call for the Flames and a coaching moment that Peters has exploited brilliantly since - Calgary's defense has been much improved since that game.

Thoughts?

I don't think our success correlates with the blowout to Pittsburgh. That was just a bad night for the team which can happen to any team on any given night. I feel we've been playing good all season and playing pretty consistent considering this is a new coach, new system, poor officiating, and Mike Smith not playing well.
The one thing I do believe is since the Oilers game we've almost gained a momentum of "swagger" which hopefully is a turning point to the season and elevates us to real contenders. It reminded me of the time we played the Canucks under Hartley and had a line brawl to start the game. Torts went into full meltdown mode and the Canucks were never the same for the remainder of the season. Hopefully we thrive and Oilers dive.

JackIsBack · 11-22-2018, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I hope Tre sits tight and allows this team to unfold as it is. If the goaltending can hold up under Rittich there is no reason to make trades and screw up chemistry that is building.

I couldn't agree more.... maybe some tweaking around the edges, but the extreme edges.

JackIsBack · 11-22-2018, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I don't think our success correlates with the blowout to Pittsburgh. That was just a bad night for the team which can happen to any team on any given night. I feel we've been playing good all season and playing pretty consistent considering this is a new coach, new system, poor officiating, and Mike Smith not playing well.

You know.... I think I agree... BUT... sometimes you still need something to spark a team so they can take it to the next level. I think this game was that spark - I think we could have gone either way after it, and the coaching staff and players took us in the right direction.

Macindoc · 11-22-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackIsBack

Yes.... but they're still a good team without him. Imagine what Edmonton would be if McDavid went down for any length of time - they'd be a last place team (in the league) and I don't think I'm overstating (or understating, depending how you look at it) that prediction at all.

They'd be a last place team in the AHL without McDavid.

Enoch Root · 11-22-2018, 10:31 AM

I think the Flames have been pretty good for the most part, all season. But the confidence and belief wasn't fully there yet. Also, some bad goaltending set them back a couple times.

Two steps forward, one step back.

Then three things happened (IMO):
1) the PIT game woke them up
2) Rittich stabilized the goaltending
3) the Oiler game gave them swagger.

I think they're an upper echelon team the rest of the way. The depth is there, the talent is there, the D is there. If the goaltending holds out (and I believe it will), this is a really good team.