travel_dude

That PP was messed up. Too much on one side.

Should be an instigator

Hard to say we do or don't have redundant players when 3 of thos players are out and one hasn't played a single game.

It's kinda like playing in MTL. BOS fans tell refs they are missing calls. How many games of this garbage do we need to see?

Hanifin either needs to block the shot or get outa the way.

BC goalie actually put it in their own net IIRC? Allowed Providence back in the game.

How did Bread miss?

Funny connection. Rooney played with Janko when they won the NCAA Championship.

He stopped two goals in close by himself with little help. Marky is good but gets pushed in on those types of plays. Overall, I have faith that both will get better this season, but Vladar has a leg up on the future.

Vladar is a beast in close.

That was weak, but the effect was exaggerated.

That was a rough goal. Could have been challenged, but can't say it was obvious. It's not the goal but what you do after the goal that matters rright now.

Flames with the early push create a PP. Score on PP.

Same lineup at F as last game Mackey out for DeSimone

I think there are actually a couple of issues with Huberdeau right now. Foot was swollen, possibly from a shot block or sprain. Was uncomfortable looking with one of his arms after a play on the boards. I don't think he plays until after a full practice. Vladar in the starter net. There hasn't been mention yet of Tanev.

Ruzie not using his big body to be more of a mean player is something Sutter wants. His skill set is fine otherwise, which any team should hope for. The biggest issue is that Ruzie is a C and we didn't have room for another C. He wasn't able to get really comfortable at LW, but he might get a chance right now. He didn't look out of place with Lindholm. That's more of a skill line, so he probably fits in better there. Last year he had a limited look in the bottom 6, mostly playing on the 4th line. Does anyone really shine there?

I think you may be reaching, just based on what Sutter talked about regarding TC. Mackey isn't a prospect but a fringe NHL'er and we lost Valimaki to waivers. Neither showed anything in TC. But that has little to do with the prospects growth elsewhere. For instance, Zary had an okay camp but needs a lot more time. The F were set, so there really wasn't a free spot for a F to grab. By the time we realized a PTO wasn't going to get a top 9 job, we had nobody plugged in. Anyway, I am just suggesting that while we didn't have D depth like we thought, the F was not quite ready at TC. They didn't push anyone down, but it doesn't mean they shouldn't be here at some point. They just didn't do it at camp.

I would have preferred a Vladar start in one of these two games. NJ was the tougher opponent, but Markstrom wasn't exactly flawless against NYI. I understand the use of your top goalie in the first of a B2B, trying to get the easier win (fresh players). Going back to them after a less than great game is questionable.

Scoring is a concern when we seem to get burned in low scoring games with the bad goal. Our top scorers are not scoring enough. Kadri is the only one really doing his part but he has half his points from the PP. But to your point, the goalies have not been good enough. Would like to give Vladar some more starts, just to get him more consistency. I wouldn't say he was better but he gives up fewer of those "questionable" ones. Markstrom is not ex\actly what he was last year, not close.

I do find it frustrating that Markstrom can't seem to win a game for the Flames. He was good enough to allow the team win some games early. Even those, we were lucky to win. Every once in awhile you need and expect the goalie to steal one. Not really blaming him, but the last three losses included goals he needs or should have stopped. Seeing that we had 18 shots and a one goal lead, we shouldn't get scored on (again) the first shot against. Goal wise, this was not as close as the final score suggested. 2 goals called back and 3 more counted. I get that Vladar's results are nothing to point to, but I don't feel like he's going to let in the first shot. Goaltending needs to be better. Mangiapane is struggling right now, though last night was a lot better. Prior to last night, he had zero shots and minus 5 in 3 games. Dube with minus 5 in last 3 games. What was a dominant line has become somewhat neutered. I won't go off on Lucic, but he has been really bad recently. I did think the team looked better against NJ. Not impressed with the reffing. But, you make mistakes, you give the choice to the refs.

Some guys seem to be snakebit. Dube had a couple of chances and things conspired against him. Mangiapane as well. Without Stone, most of the D shots are not hitting the net. Kadri is the one positive thing. Perhaps him with Toffoli and Hubey makes the most sene. Mangiapane with Lindholm and Coleman. Backlund with Dube and Ruzicka. Lucic with Rooney and Ritchie. About the best I can come up with. What worked in the first 6 games isn't now. The top pair D play a lot of minutes, but really Zaddy is the most consistent. If we can get Tanev back, we can adjust the D pairs again. Maybe we should be thinking again about Hanifin-Tanev.

Markstrom had one job. Stop the puck

Nice deflection or screen Rozie. That's the way to stay in the lineup.

FFS, get Lucic off Backlund's line.

Keep it close. Unless the Debbies goalie is going to shutout us in the 3rd.