Fantasy Hockey - Running Out of Title Ideas

[Asher]

Bi and crazy night? Just what are your plans? And is he hot?

[Asher]

Emery just fought Biron.
Then Peters right after.

[notyoueither]

Wow. It's hard to believe that was the Oilers. Team toughness, good defence, scoring... WTH?!

[Asher]

Meanwhile the Flames' evil twins on the road keep finding ways to lose.

It's gotta be said -- the only thing different between the road and home games is the coaching. Playfair can't coach an NHL team, I'm afraid. Let's hope he's gone by playoffs.

[Asher]

This is awesome!

[notyoueither]

Emery is awesome! The smile on his face! Eee-hawww, it's Tyson time!

[notyoueither]

How many games you think Peters is gone for?

[Asher]

I'm gonna say 2.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
Meanwhile the Flames' evil twins on the road keep finding ways to lose.

It's gotta be said -- the only thing different between the road and home games is the coaching. Playfair can't coach an NHL team, I'm afraid. Let's hope he's gone by playoffs.

Game prep and strategy should be essentially the same

The only difference should be with respect to where their heads are. That is also a coaching function of course. The Flames are now obviously underachieving. In fact they are often downright lacklustre.

I don't know that it is Playfair's fault though. I also don't know that such a change will help considering there is already apparently a bit of discontent around the recent trades.

But overall I am totally disgusted with the Flames play these days

On a positive note-- Habs win in Nashville in a wild one

[notyoueither]

Christ, the Flames have scoring, defence, goaltending, and scoring... and a playoff spot. If they get into the playoffs (not much of an if) their regular season record means ****. They have players who know how to step it up. Finish 7th and their taking on a sliding Ducks team. Good times.

And I don't buy the coach as the problem with a road record. The coaches don't skate. They don't hit. They don't stop pucks. They can talk all they want, but the players have to bring it.

Also, the Flames road record in division, where it really counts, is 3-4-1. Not too shabby. Buck up, Flames fans.

[joncha]

Well the Flames are the best team in the league, so obviously it's the coach's fault if they don't win every game.

[Ninot]

Habs win Not their most convincing hockey of the year, but a comeback win against the mighty Preds is something.

And Emery is awesome

[Flubber]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Christ, the Flames have scoring, defence, goaltending, and scoring... and a playoff spot. If they get into the playoffs (not much of an if) their regular season record means ****. They have players who know how to step it up. Finish 7th and their taking on a sliding Ducks team. Good times.

And I don't buy the coach as the problem with a road record. The coaches don't skate. They don't hit. They don't stop pucks. They can talk all they want, but the players have to bring it.

Also, the Flames road record in division, where it really counts, is 3-4-1. Not too shabby. Buck up, Flames fans.

The Flames have lost SEVEN in a row on the road. While I like to think they will be able to "step it up " when it really matters, I haven't seen a lot of evidence of it.

The frustration is that supposedly the Flames have enough talent that they should be contending for the conference lead . .... not looking behind them with the fear that a continued slide could see them drop right out of the playoffs

[Asher]

Originally posted by notyoueither
And I don't buy the coach as the problem with a road record. The coaches don't skate. They don't hit. They don't stop pucks. They can talk all they want, but the players have to bring it.

It's the coach's strategy and system that is failing on the road.

Given the Flames are what, 1-8 in OT and have no wins in the shootout...there's 1 minute left in the tie game, offensive zone faceoff...guess who is on the ice? Why, it's Friesen, Yelle, and Nilson.

This team is capable of so much more. Our road record is HORRENDOUS, and you can't win playoff series' without winning on the road. Playfair has a lot to do with their play on the road, they play a completely different game.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher

It's the coach's strategy and system that is failing on the road.

THats my problem-- The actual game is EXACTLY the same at home and on the road. If a strategy and system is bad, it should fail in both places . Unless you think that the home ice last change is a crucial determinative thing

Originally posted by Asher

Given the Flames are what, 1-8 in OT and have no wins in the shootout...there's 1 minute left in the tie game, offensive zone faceoff...guess who is on the ice? Why, it's Friesen, Yelle, and Nilson.

I was wondering if such moves are an attempt to "protect the point". Calgary is not so far up on Edmonton that it is inconceivable that they get caught so perhaps he just wanted to make sure they ensure the point

Originally posted by Asher

This team is capable of so much more. Our road record is HORRENDOUS, and you can't win playoff series' without winning on the road. Playfair has a lot to do with their play on the road, they play a completely different game.

Exactly but I don't think you can blame the team's system. The failure if any is in failing to find a way to motivate a high and consistent performance.


Lets be blunt though -- The biggest reason that the Flames are not 10-12 points higher in the standings is that that Kipper has not walked on water and stolen games with the frequency of last year. Last night, frankly, the first and winning goals were weak. I cannot recall the last time Kipper stood on his head and won a game for the team that they clearly "deserved" to lose.

Instead the team loses 1 goal game after one goal game. Last night, the Flames outplayed Phoenix throughout the third. The team should have executed better but were unable to extend their lead. The Coyotes responded with a late goal off a faceoff deflection ( for which Kipper has no blame but when he's being amazing he makes all kinds of implausible to almost impossible stops)