cross16

I agree, I think this issue receives way more discussion that it warrants it. I think there are more than enough measures in there to prevent true "tanking" and I personally see no reason to change the rules. I personally like the idea of an exciting trade deadline and I think deals spur fan excitement. If you are going to incentive teams to need to win to the last game I thikn you are going to see less player movement. That trade off isn't worth it for me. but in all honesty I think the NHL has the balance right and the best rules in terms of handling "tanking" of any of the major sports leagues.

I think Woodcroft has done a nice job in Edm. He's got them playing the best they can given how their roster is built IMO and they've played pretty well in the series. Couple rookie mistakes here and there but overal I've been impressed. I'd be surprised if they weren't interested in him to be the permanent coach. Now it is Trotz and I get that but honestly he can take the job if he wants it, it wouldn't worry me. That roster has enough holes that Trotz wouldn't be able to patch. Key thing is would Edm pay him and would Holland give up some control? Lots of buzz that Trotz will command some say in his next job.

Shesterkin was substantially better than Markstrom this year. I don't think people really how bad the Rangers were at 5 on 5 an how much Shesterkin really carried them.

I agree the Leafs have looked good and definetly played well enough to win the series. Leafs defend in zone really well but unfortunately they are vulnerable off the rush and I think Tampas has exploited that, which makes sense given they are a great rush team. I think this series is over if the Leafs have a better goalie than Campbell but at the same time Vaislevsky hasn't exactly been a rock for Tampa either. This is just a gut feel but i think the Leafs needed to win that game last night and I don't like their chances on the road in a game 7 against that veteran of a team. Having said that if they can get over this hump i think they will start cruising based on how well they are playing.

I think this was a year where there are a long list of candidates and you can make cases for many of them so I have a hard time calling this a snub. I could have made a case he was a finalist and part of me expected it but i'm also personally of the opinion that goalies shouldn't be nominated for the Hart. That being said if you are going to use the true definition of the Hart (most valuable to this team) then Shesterkin should win it easily. he WAS the Rangers this year. I thought Johnny had a Hart trophy calibre season but I also fully understand why Matthews and McDavid should get the nod ahead of him. It makes sense to me.

Visual of how the flames took over the 3rd

That’s a heck of an answer. I’m not sure previous versions of this team would have been capable of that. Stars make a mistake they capitalize and then stepped on their throats. Exactly what you want. Very impressive

Tough call there. I see what the ref saw but I think Stars went down awfully easy. tough call

Never break them up again

This is the effort, pace and jump I was expecting. Goal woke the flames up

Wow. There’s a mistake from the Stars I wasn’t expecting.

Execution also not where you want it. Passes off and I’m not seeing the quick transition game. Flames are making it tough on themselves with poor breakouts and having to constantly go 200 ft

Whelp clearly no motivating speech in that intermission….

Stars are going to line up 3-4 across the blue line. Expect ALOT of dump and chase.

I will say this I don’t understand how the flames can’t get a bounce. It’s pretty ridiculous really.

im not saying the effort isn’t there completely just that I don’t think it’s high or good enough. This effort would be digestible in the regular season. Playoffs and a chance to go no 3-2? Not good enough IMO.

Flames are very capable of winning this game. Just have to decide if they want to or not. So far they have not played like this is a game they really want to win.

Flames need someone in the room to say something here. This can’t be acceptable to you group and someone needs to take some reigns to get them fired up.

for the playoffs this is terrible imo from the flames. I don’t think the engagement level is close to where you want it. They are losing a lot of puck battles, puck watching and not playing with a lot of urgency. I expected a lot more. The flames should be much hungrier to not have this series to 7.

This is a terrible playoff effort from the Flames so far tonight. Not near good enough and not very engaged Very disappointing when you have a chance to take control.

Now official

Pretty much exactly what they needed. Best players got them going but they were connected up and down the lineup. That’s the game we’ve been waiting for.

It’s a good penalty for backs to take. Shouldn’t have been in that spot

Really poor situation awareness from Rasmus there. Got greedy on that shot and put backs in a bad spot to take a penalty.

Not a good hit by Backs. Benn was right to be upset.