So When IS it time to panic?
For about eight minutes last night the Calgary Flames took on their old identity, they were hitting and winning the little battles and playing with the kind of intensity that you need to be a championship team. Problem was, it was the last eight minutes of the game. For the first fifty-two minutes the Flames were out-hustled, out-hit, out-muscled, and simply out-desired by a Washington Capitals team that admits they’re likely a couple years away from contending. Getting beat by a better team is unavoidable, getting beat by a hot goaltender happens. But not being able to bring you’re a game to the show even once for sixty minutes ten games into the season is cause for serious concern.
The Flames are only one point out of last place in the NHL. This is a team that was supposed to challenge for the cup. It’s a team that has the personnel on paper to do it. On the ice it’s looked like a team that’s confused and playing more not to loose than playing to win. In today’s NHL, that just won’t work.
The Flames best line last night was the trio of Freisen, Amonte, and Nilson who were able to use hard work to get some quality chances and at least give the Flames some chances to score. The second line of Tanguay, Lombardi, and Kobasew was nearly invisible in a game against on opponent that they should be able to flourish against. The number one line still hasn’t been able to find the chemistry it needs to perform at a top level consistently, and right now the Flames don’t appear to be able to do anything about it.
The talent IS in the dressing room. The Flames do have the players that can do it, but they need to play the ferocious style that they were known for. Other teams didn’t like coming to Calgary last year because you didn’t just get beat, you beat up. After the second intermission last night the Flames collectively had nine hits. Didn’t Dion used to get nine hits on some shifts last year? In the last eight minutes of the third the Flames were playing desperation hockey and it was working. They need to be desperate from the drop of the puck.
Have a great day
For about eight minutes last night the Calgary Flames took on their old identity, they were hitting and winning the little battles and playing with the kind of intensity that you need to be a championship team. Problem was, it was the last eight minutes of the game. For the first fifty-two minutes the Flames were out-hustled, out-hit, out-muscled, and simply out-desired by a Washington Capitals team that admits they’re likely a couple years away from contending. Getting beat by a better team is unavoidable, getting beat by a hot goaltender happens. But not being able to bring you’re a game to the show even once for sixty minutes ten games into the season is cause for serious concern.
The Flames are only one point out of last place in the NHL. This is a team that was supposed to challenge for the cup. It’s a team that has the personnel on paper to do it. On the ice it’s looked like a team that’s confused and playing more not to loose than playing to win. In today’s NHL, that just won’t work.
The Flames best line last night was the trio of Freisen, Amonte, and Nilson who were able to use hard work to get some quality chances and at least give the Flames some chances to score. The second line of Tanguay, Lombardi, and Kobasew was nearly invisible in a game against on opponent that they should be able to flourish against. The number one line still hasn’t been able to find the chemistry it needs to perform at a top level consistently, and right now the Flames don’t appear to be able to do anything about it.
The talent IS in the dressing room. The Flames do have the players that can do it, but they need to play the ferocious style that they were known for. Other teams didn’t like coming to Calgary last year because you didn’t just get beat, you beat up. After the second intermission last night the Flames collectively had nine hits. Didn’t Dion used to get nine hits on some shifts last year? In the last eight minutes of the third the Flames were playing desperation hockey and it was working. They need to be desperate from the drop of the puck.
Have a great day
posted by Vetts at 8:27 AM
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