cross16

Honestly in looking back at 2019 I don't think the story should be what the Flames did or didn't do. Me personally I thought they were in fine shape heading into that playoffs series and what got overlook was the Avs were on the cusp of turning into one of the best teams in the league. They were playing great heading into the playoffs and while they -were only a 90 pt team that year, that ws due to the fact they went- 7-14-3 in Dec/ jan, outside of that they were closer to a 100 pt team. a team on the rise and they got Makar in that series too. I think in hindsight, the Flames were a good team that just got beat by a more talented one on the risk. That isn't the case this go around.

I am pretty comfortable with the Flames in this series. I still think its going to take 6 games but I don't have a high level of concern they won't win the series. Dallas is a one line team that if you limit that line their offence really dries up and while Ottinger flashed down the stretch i'm not a huge believer he is the real deal. I think the Flames depth with take over and they win this one. If the Flames top line is the Flames top line then this might end sooner than 6 to be honest. That's the x factor for me, what level of play do you get out of Gaudreau and that top line. Struggle like they have in recent years the series goes longer, they light it up this is going to be over sooner. But I still think the Flames can win the series without their top line being the top line. I think we are heading towards a battle of Alberta playoff series in all likelihood. I do like LA chances but I think the Oilers will win that series. I agree Toronto is in tough and I don't like them in that series. i think Leafs are one and down again and their defense and goaltending will let them down. Tough matchup draw for them. Other than the Lightning i'm not seeing a team that can hang with the Panthers in the East. I think they cruise.

it was fun thanks and props to conundrumed! Well done.

Don't really think this is fair to be honest. Monahan has been good in the playoffs, Lindholm has been with him, Hudler, Tkachuk (who also can stand to be better in the playoffs). I think there has been multiple series where members of his line have been good or ok and he hasn't. Anyway this isn't a point I'm trying to drive home because it's in the past and as I say I'm optimistic that things will be different. A lot fo what you say here is valid, he's made changes and I truly believe he will approach these playoffs with a chip on his shoulder. I just can't lie that it's on my list of concerns. If the Flames are going to be upset I think it's going to be because their top line was once again ineffective in the playoffs. Not a high concern, it's just the formula I think that sees them get upset.

IMO blaming coaching is a mostly a cop out. Coaches can make any suggestions they want but once the puck drops there is not much they can do and IMO what Gaudreau has struggled with in the playoffs is how he executes when the puck is dropped and doesn't have anything to do with adjustments. Conroy has even gone on the record as saying Gaudreau has complained to him about the lack of space and officiating in the playoffs and admitted it gets him off his game. There isn't anything, IMO, that a coach can do there that's up to the player to fight through adversity. I thought in the Colorado series, Gaudreau was playing well and had there been some adjustments made (in particular using more dump and chase) then it wouldn't look so bad on him. But outside of that series, I think it's a simple as he just hasn't played very well in the playoffs. But i'm optimistic it will be different this year. I think one of the key changes he's made this season is being less focused on stuff he can't control and just focusing on the game itself.

I have some concern about Gaudreau if we are being honest, especially against Nashville. I don't agree that in the past you can blame this all on Monahan. I think the fact is, Gaudreau has traditionally not been very good in the playoffs because he has gotten really frustrated when the game closes up and the whistles go away. For me, that's been the biggest reason why he fades in the playoffs, he just has not adjusted well to the style of game you need to play. I thought he was good against Colorado and against Colorado I do feel his line mates let him down, but in the other series I think he had a lot to learn from. Nashville, if the play them, is going to lean hard on Gaudreau and be hard on them every chance they can get so I think the question about whether or not Gaudreau has learned or adjusted is a fair one to ask. I think it's fair to point out that he made many of those adjustments this year under Sutter. He complains less so he isn't thrown off he game as quickly as he use to be (magnified int he playoffs) and I do think he's playing with a chip on his shoulder. I'm optimistic it won't be an issue but it's a question I have for sure.

I'll be very surprised if that happens personally. Between the 10 team no trade, lack of cap space around the league, how much he seems to be enjoying it here, and the fact that the owners would have to ok a 3 mill cheque for someone to not play for them it feels unlikely to me he will be moved.

For sure, but they needed the flexibility now. I'm not advocating that either side side did a good thing here, just that I think both sides got what the needed and both sides turned a negative into a positive. I don't think there is a clear winner. Keep in mind, Lucic is going to have a big impact on their offseason. Think the complaints about that contract are going to get louder.

Both Wolf and Pelletier named to AHL all rookie team. Nice honor for both of them and pretty well deserved. Rookie or not, they've both been near the top of their position this year.

I still think it's a win/win to be honest. Easy to gloat but the flexibility gained by buying out Neal is what helped the Oilers land Hyman, bring in Foegle etc. Their forward group is deeper because of it and playing well right now. I think both sides got what they wanted.

I'll be surprised if the Flames use more recalls other than emergency ones. I think they have enough flexibility to move some guys in/out of their lineup. I don't think Sutter also wants to sit a ton of guys and would rather monitor ice time than anything. Think you need to balance rest with effectiveness and be careful as to not mail in the final games of the season and then try to turn things on come playoffs.

I agree. it should be a tight series that I think will come down to goaltending and special teams. I do think the Kings are missing Doughty but their goaltending hasn't been very good lately while the Oilers has been very good. See which trend continues.

No he’s already turned pro. Can’t go back so he’ll be likely with Wolf in the A next year. I can’t imagine Werner is back. but I agree it’s nice to see him get some A games. From what I’ve heard/read he’s played better then his numbers indicate.

Looks like an emergency recall for Wolf. Markstrom getting the full day off. would like to see them get Wolf his first nhl start though. He’s earned it.

Nice reward for Wolf here. I would suspect you will see him make his NHL debut.

It would be the ideal matchup imo but very unlikely to happen I think. but a real good matchup on paper

Highly, highly unlikely. Kane wouldn’t have signed so soon if he was in grievance of the contract being voided so enforcing a contract neither side seems to want would be highly unusually. just about money

Scores don’t really concern me right now I think what I’m looking for is can the flames find that stingy defensive game they had earlier in the season and went away from the last month or so. Can they get that back up and down their lineup. been pretty good since the Vegas game so that is promising and something to keep building on towards the playoffs.

I don’t think a slow start is a big deal, nor do I think slow starts are a habitual issue with this team. They are human they know the playoffs are a lock and they know the coyotes are terrible and manufacturing emotion this late in the season isn’t easy either. I think what is far more important is that they find and execute their game and they did that very well after the first 10 mins or so. I have zero question that the emotion will be there in the playoffs, the question is will their execution. That’s the focus IMO.

I don’t think the flames have a 1-2-3-4 line structures team. They have a top line, a middle 6 and a 4th line and the decision canes down to deployment and situations more than a lines label. I do agree that Backlund is the better center but that cuts both ways in that he is better offensively but j also think he is the better shutdown center too. I do think Jankrok is good enough to be deployed in a more offensive middle 6 role, with the right line, and keep Backlund as the shut down center. That’s the choice I think the flames need to make.

Part of this is they need to figure out Jankroks role. I think they will have a hard time slotting the middle 6 until they do.

I think there is some truth to this but I think this result was happening even without the hit. From the drop of the puck the flames just were not focused on defense or details in transition. Lots of soft checking, poor puck management up the ice, losing checks in the D zone and really the one reason it looked like a close game was the flames were moving the puck well in the offensive zone. Once it left that zone they were terrible. Markstrom was the only reason it wasn’t a 2 or 3-1 score after the first. Flames weren’t very good from the drop of the puck last night. Just took a little while for Vegas to exploit it. flames better take this as a wake up call or else trouble will start brewing.

A good read on Jack Beck, but the biggest nugget is they reveal what sidelines him early in the season. A fairly serious kidney contusion sidelined, and left him almost bedridden too, for those few months. Apparently a freak accident. He just took a weird hit in a game.

This would suggest Kylington is either ready to play or very close. I'm interested to see the impact because to be honest I really haven't noticed a drop off with him out.

Thanks, I missed Patches played. Carrier isn't on LTIR according to Capfriendy.