travel_dude

Monahan seems to be getting his game back on track. (maybe just wishful thinking on my part) The shooting is better there now; accurate again, not blistering shots. The skating seems to be almost there; he never was super fast but he is not looking slow now. The defensive side is good; he really worked on it when he was struggling to score. If Monahan gets back close to pre-COVID level play with better defensive smarts, then you don't need to trade him. Cap management is a different conversation. Improving other areas of the roster is too.

I think he has been consistent in the AHL this year, but a little up and down in the NHL games he played. Some of it comes down to lines and minutes, but as I said, he needs to try to be his best every shift. Last night the compete was there. If he does the same level of effort in a game where he's held off the scoresheet, then I suspect that is what Sutter would want to see. I'm not going to get too high on this game, as every line dominated. It won't happen every night. He got PP time because he deserved it. He worked the puck to start the play that resulted in his goal. But I saw similar effort on other plays. He made a nice one in the D zone. It's difficult to stay in the roster. You need to prove you belong there. Doesn't just mean scoring a goal. Means that you are doing the things when you are not scoring. A good forecheck. A hit that disrupts a play. A simple play to chip the puck out of harm, where you get time to regroup. Details. Some people may suggest that bringing up Phillips or Gawdin might generate more offense with him, but I think that is risky. Get him to the level he needs to be first. Can't spend time working on a line in-game because you have multiple rookies all at different levels. If illness/injury makes that necessary, then you work with what you have.

Did he also say that he needs to improve his faceoffs? I thought that weird considering he was 55%. But I completely agree with Sutter's comments. Can't be up and down in play. Play this way every night and you are a NHL player. Vets tend to have a bit of leeway in that respect, but they have a body of work. They usually have been solid throughout their careers. He's showing top 6 capability, so earm that spot by doing the same thing every game. No matter who you play with. I counted three high danger chances. And he controlled the play when he was out there.

It's a tough B2B set coming up. CBJ in the Eastern timezone. Next night in Central. Vladar gets one of two starts. Oh, the decisions. Probably makes sense to start Markstrom in game 1. Keep his rhythm going. The other side of the coin is that Vladar gets the easier start. Markstrom gets STL and then VAN, with the usual gap between games. Sutter will no doubt surprise with the guy getting the start. He seems to know when to start a guy.

I see that Sutter moved up Ruzie with Dube and Lucic.

Markstrom has a bad habit of sitting on the ice when the puck is behind the net for a stretch. I don't like it, he is way too small like that. Goalie coach neds to suggest he stay up and limber.

STL holds the stick and swings down the Flame, then Guddy gets a penalty on the ensuiung play.

It's nice to sit back and watch the Flames dominate a game. I don't care what the reason, but it helps give them some confidence. Not too much. Don't worry, Sutter will not let them get too high. No bag skate tomorrow, as they travel. Big B2B. Trap game against CBJ, with STL the 2nd night.

Big Z with another good recovery

Ruzie gets some luvin

Yikes. Tired 1st unit.

I may be contradicting myself on Dube. He's good at times and gets plastered at times. Plays well with Lucic.

Dube goes as his linemates go. Now that Monahan is getting better, he is standing out. Maybe I am giving too much credit to Mony, but I think a strong C helps Dube work his position. Seems like they had Dube too often with Ritchie or Pitlick. That burns your offense away. Putting him back where he played well in the playoffs may be making him comfortable.

I would say they did things in the playoffs that work there. Teams play differently there.

It's always good to hear your perspective. Just become some people don't a;ways agree, doesn;t mean you are wrong. Everyone see things that others don't

And Dube isn't small, he just looks small. He plays low on his skates. He works his tail off. Just does a lot of what made Bennett fail; takes the hard way to puck pocession.

I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic or not. Hehe. I doubt it. I type stuff sometimes without refreshing, so I might say the exact same thing as you or others. If you are talking about the "like" button, I don't think it's there for Mods, as we are supposed to just keep things clean. But, I am also getting up there and don't put much stock in likes or stars or stuff like that. Don't use Facebook but I view Twitter for latest. Have to filter through the crap.

Well, it's just sometimes things click. I don't think the Cats or Blues were playing bad. We jumped on them and never let them get organized. That's what good teams do.

He's made more than a few good smart plays that earn the coach's trust. That was cream on the pie. Had he scored on the mini breakaway, that would be the cherry. I'm not saying he needs to play in the top 6, just that you can double shift Gaudreau or Tkachuk with him. He doesn;t look slow or questioning. And he's not playing soft. Coach might reward him with some PP time. He's doing what we want Dube to do.

Good lord, save one for the next game. About as dominant a Flames game I have ever seen. 8 shots for the Blues. We get 4 goals in the 2nd and they get 2 shots. A broken stick shot and a decent shot.

Touchdown

He's playing for his job in nets, Husso playing a lot better and was keeping the streak alive for them.

You can see that top 6 capability by Ruzie. Don't sit him again Sutter. He is here to stay.

OMG, what a shot by Ruzie

Ruzie with a bang bang goal