cross16

Flames D much more active tonight in transition. Giving the flames more opportunities off the rush. Great to see

This group loves to shoot themselves in the foot.

Maybe but I would suspect he isn't worth anything in trade and he'll be a UFA this summer so he'll have a chance to go wherever he wants anyway.

This is a good example of what Conundrumed and I are talking about. Like seriously what is this answer? I don't expect a coach to give me the plan or even be honesty necessarily but this answer (and many of his during pressers this year) just makes him seem so pissy and juvenile. I don't believe, and haven't for a while, that Phillips will get a shot under Sutter and I'm honestly not that mad about it as I actually think there is some logic to it. But you don't need to throw shade at prospects or the idea of calling them up in the process.

He is a good coach and I know it feels "convenient" to try and blame the coach especially one who was the Jack Adams winner last year but I fully agree with this. IMO, Sutter has been part of the problem this year.

Neither do the Panthers. They've fallen back more than the Flames. Food for thought.

Going to be a challenge, but I think the biggest thing is to not overreact to that game. They played well and I think there are a lot of positives to take from the game. This was a game where they generated enough both in terms of quantity and quality to win the game so this wasn't an element of shots being misleading. Allen was very good and the biggest reason the Flames didn't get any points. They flames got bodies to the net, they got traffic they went to hard areas, they did a lot of things you want them to do, Allen was just better. High danger chances were 14-4 a 5 on 5 and 19-6 overall. Shot quality wasn't the issue. Just gotta keep building off of this and I think it will come. The foundation is starting to get there for them in terms of the style of game they want to play and I think what is really missing right now is the swagger/confidence of them knowing they can get it done. Your just not seeing that up and down their lineup right now.

It's a good question and I don't get it either. You are seeing a team that could sure use some extra speed, a jolt and some scoring and you are sitting on 3 of the top scorers in the NHL. The logic is getting really really hard to support. And honestly don't give me the "ya but they may only play 4th line" argument as I don't buy that. First the Flames 4th line is garbage as it is and when you have a coach who wants to roll lines that's a problem, so if a young player can help there then let him. In addition to that I don't buy this argument that players can't develop there. Mang came up, played 4th line, was a really positive element and then moved his way up the lineup. It's just on the coaching staff to make sure they play at least there 5-8 mins but I would argue that 5-8 mins of ice time in the NHL is going to better develop the likes of Phillips, Zary and Pelletier more than continuing to play in the A. All 3 of those guys have shown that they can handle that so it's time for the next step. No matter the prospect there is always going to be development at the NHL level. I think the whole "the NHL is not a development league" is one of the biggest farces in the sport. The lack of playing young players is just one of the tradeoffs you get with Sutter and I get that, but I'm really surprised at the level of favoritism he is showing to certain elements/players of the team this season. Sutter is intentional so i can buy that it's part of the bigger plan but I have a level of concern about it for sure.

Markstrom saying what I’m sure many are thinking.

By Allen. He made good plays. Doesn’t meant it wasn’t a good opportunity to score or create a rebound. if a team is going to give yon a free pass to put the puck on net and create something I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to take it.

also created 3-4 scoring chances.

most plays get foiled.

Honestly deserved a better fate. They played a pretty solid game overal. Allen was very good and the flames are just not executing at a high level. I think that game wins more often than not and I think the flames generated enough quality to win but they also fumbled quite a few opportunities too. just think there’s still too much thinking going on. They arnt playing relaxed or with a lot of confidence.

it’s a very smart play because pretty much all teams leave that low player alone and let the goalie take him 1 on 1

Flames are just not executing anything at a high level right now. There game is pretty solid but it’s not firing on all cylinders. that’s not a huge surprise given the circumstances but it’s something you want to start seeing them improve

That was not well executed pretty much a must score here

I’ve seen enough of the Hub-Lindholm-Toffoli line. It isn’t going to work and Sutter need to wake up and stop forcing it.

That was too easy for Montreal. Can’t leave that seem wide open

Too static on that PP. I get you want to be patient but you need to dictate movement, there too content to take the perimeter play

I’m surprised Hrudey is so adamant. If that’s a penalty there’d be a dozen everyone game

Need to give Allen credit. Playing very well tonight.

Weegar is really starting to play well. Showing the skill set he has. Sutter really should be leaning on him more. was a good period. Far better team and only down because of Markstrom. If they can keep this going I like their chances.

So much harder to win in this league when you spot teams bad goals. The timing is worse than the quantity for Markstrom this year.

See and I don't think this is fair. They are a top 10 team at 5 on 5 in every defensive category. Can they be better, probably but bad? That isn't fair. I agree 100% that goalies are a product of team play but I don't think the Flames have been bad defensively this year. Inconsistent sure, but not enough that would excuse Markstrom's play IMO. if you need your team to be airtight in order for your goalie to be good then you have a problem with your goalie, not your team.

Flames have had a brutal schedule I agree and i think it's for sure a factor in their record. But they also need to prove that now that the schedule softens otherwise it will become fair to really start to question how this group fits.