cross16

It’s not just tonight….

Ya it’s really hard to be positive. I know they did this against Dallas but Dallas doesn’t have McDavid. McDavid is killing then in this series and they have no answer. the flames needed someone to step up in Tanev’s absence and so get no one has. Most are getting exposed. i don’t think the flames can play their game against the oilers. With that 3rd forward high the flames forecheck is getting limited and with some poor passing they are giving up way too many odd man rushes. Not just tonight but game 2 as well. Markstrom is not playing well. im honestly not sure the Flames can reverse this. I really hope I’m wrong but just so so much needs to change for Flames.

Ya their 5 on 5 game is much better than people think since Woodcroft took over. I wasn’t a big believer this was going to be a short series. Markstrom is going to need to be Markstrom. If he doesn’t start playing better I don’t like their chances.

No idea. I would be surprised. I give the oilers alot of credit. Smart adjustments, they’ve played their game and they’ve played hard. It’s going to take quite a turnaround here for the flames to win this series. The oilers look VERY good

Woodcroft and the Oilers coaching staff have handed Sutter and the flames their lunch so far this series. Oilers are all over the flames mostly because of some really good adjustments And flames have not answered. They have been thoroughly dominated tonight and are watching this series slide away from them quickly. Oilers he’s been the much better team the last 2 games.

Not a well played game by the flames imo. Their puck management was poor especially on exits. Gave the oilers a lot of zone time and some odd man rushes just due to bad plays in the neutral zone or at the blue lines. Also did not like the d core in this game. Z had a really tough game and the Flames really need someone on that d core to step up against McDavid. this game was exactly what was feared before the series. If you don’t keep the game 5 on 5 the oilers are dangerous and that’s exactly what happened. At 5on 5 I thought the Flames controlled the game but they couldn’t keep it 5 on 5. Flames need to regroup. Better puck support, better puck management and keep the game 5 on 5. Not going to be easy heading up North and now the Oilers are really feeling it. while Markstrom was better it would be helpful if the Flames for the same Markstrom you saw in the Dallas series. another missed opportunity for the Flames. I hope it doesn’t come back to bite them

Bowness out in Dallas. It's been clarified since this tweet he was not "fired" his contract was up. I'm pretty surprised by this. I thought that staff did a good job against the Flames and Bowness has done some really good things in Dallas. I'm not sure what more you can expect out of that roster. Although it sounds like Stars fan are pretty happy so perhaps it's a style change they are after. Not sure it will make their team better though

This would not be promising for Tanev playing tonight. I've heard some rumors that he is unlikely to be back in this series.

I thought it was a big impact. I think going down so early forced the Oilers to try and push to catch up and it opened up the ice. I actually don't think it was being bad defensively that led to the Flames giving up those goals/chances, it was problems in the offensive zone. They started going more east-west instead of north south and come costly turnovers and poor puck movement is what gave the Oilers chances the other way. I thought they were trying to take advantage of the open ice when the simple play was also there. So I don't think the Flames need to tighten up defensively, they need to be better manage the puck.

Will be interesting to see if this approach changes from Sutter in game 2 after his McDavid comments. I'm still of the belief that the 4 pts had a lot more to do with Markstrom than anything else but the 4th line got killed by the McDavid line so have to imagine that may change.

This play was hilarious and such a microcosm of the game itself. Edmonton attempting to flex their muscles in any way and Flames just being "no, you sit down".

I think robrob has a good point though, the Flames did not follow up a good game 1 with a good game 2 against Dallas. Game 2 was, IMO, the worst game of the series for Calgary and while Dallas made a few adjustments I thought the story was what Calgary didn't do. Not wroth rehashing the game but for me it was a key reason why the series went 7 games. Game 2 was rigth there from the taking the entire game and the Flames just didn't take the opportunity. So I think it's a fair question, did they learn from it and can they take that opportunity tonight? You know your going to a hostile environment in games 3/4 and highly likely the Oilers are going get at least 1 win on home ice so take advantage tonight and put the pressure on them. I am optimistic though because while Game 1 against Dallas was well played defensively they weren't quite there offensively. I think they've found that game since, more guys are feeling good and playing well so it sets up well to have a good game 2 this go around.

I'm not sure I agree with this. He's playing great don't get me wrong but I don't think unstoppable is fair. HIs first goal, Ritchie hesitates behind the net and allows Kane to strip him of the puck for a turnover. Bouchard goal. Dube over played it a bit but at the same time I don't think 5 players in the league are making the spin move he did. Good play and good scoring chance but it was a savable shot too... Draisaitl goal: Not really a play by McDavid. Hanifin misplays it and Markstrom's gotta have it. His 2nd goal: Rasmus got picked by the linesman unfortunately. Just a bad break there. And it's not like Markstrom had to make highlight reels saves in other situations. I don't think he played "unstoppable" it was most bad breaks and him capitalizing on errors.

I expect Smith to bounce back. I can't stand the guy and was thrilled to see him pulled early but he is a pro and tends to bounce back well. I think the Flames get a very determined Mike Smith in game 2. I think the Oilers will play better too but they really need an answer for Calgary's forecheck. They had the Oiler D running in circles last night, so I would expect to see a bit more of a 5 man zone and take away the middle of the ice. I'm sure the 2 quick goals forced them to open things up too which certainly favored the Flames. But if the Flames keep playing the way they did last night (and assuming Markstrom doesn't do that again) they are going to be in great shape. Flames really did run all over the Oilers in all aspects last night. In all situations it was: Corsi F: 63.11 to 36.89 Fenwick: (same) Shots F%: same Scoring chances for%: 67.24 to 32.76% High danger chances: 73% to 27% (Flames gave up only 7 high danger chances all game) Expected goals: 69% to 31% LIke I said I fully expect he will play better and I do think at the 2nd half of the 2nd period the Flames got caught cheating a bit but the ONLY reason this was close was Markstrom rough night. There are going to be just fine if they play like that in this series.

I bet he starts game 2. He is a huge reason they beat LA and has been locked in as their starter for a while. I think they go back to him. There only way to win this series is Smith standing on his head. he is technically capable of doing that and I don't' think Koskinen is. I think even the Oilers know they are not winning a 7 game series with Koskinen.

No surprise here but Sutter is a Jack Adams finalist for coach of the year. I think he should win this handily. Brunnette might give him a run but I think Sutter should win. Gallant is a terrible nominee.

One of the biggest mistakes I thought the Flames made against Dallas was in game 2. After a good game 1 and a chance to take a lead they came out flat, didn’t press and couldn’t find their game. I hope they learned from that and come ready to go on Friday. There game is in a much better place so I’m optimistic but I hope they seize the opportunity this time.

for sure. And I find it hard to believe he repeats this performance in the series.

I think it’s overreacting to say the flames got away from structure or let the oilers back in. At 5 on 5 today Flames gave up 20 shots, 14 scoring chances and only 6 high danger chances. it doesn’t feel like it but they really were in control from start to finish.

I think the flames can honestly. I thought they played very well. Yes they got sucked into a more open game for a few mins there But that happens. this game is a blowout it Markstrom plays even 80%. Flames don’t have much to worry about imo.

No reason to panic. The oilers are going to keep giving you chances. the flames just need Markstrom to be Markstrom and they are fine

I don’t think the result would change. Tanev wouldn’t help Markstrom play better. bit they are missing him. I don’t think this has been a well played game from the d core

Flames again got sucked into a game they shouldn’t play and got caught up ice. Gave up too many chances. but at the same time Markstrom is playing probably the worst game I’ve ever seen since he’s been here. The only reason this is a game is he has been terrible. 4 of those goals just cannot go in.

I guess Smith outplaying Markstrom is still a storyline in this game….

No chance you pull Markstrom.