Is about all I have to say about last night's contest. Though anyone familiar with the Flames probably knows that they almost invariably drop the season opener. Hell, I'll take yesterday's showing over the 6-3 beating we absorbed at the hands the didn't-make-the-play-offs Wild last October. So I guess there's that...
Before I get started on the rant, I'll clarify that the Oliers played a decent game - they attacked with speed and crashed the net. They played a high tempo forecheck and executed on their PK very nicely. Roloson was solid.
There. Credit where credit is due.
So now after being to 4 pre-season games and watching the contest last night I have to say Im thus far unimpressed with the Flames coaching:
The preseason was mishandled - rookies who had no chance of making the team were liberally mixed with veterans all the way up to the final match. As a result, there doesn't seem to be much familiarity among the members of the starting line-up.
Further, all the systemic issues that deter offense seem to still remain firmly in place - Calgary hasn't scored more than 3 goals in the last 8 games (including exhibition) and there still doesn't seem to be much creativity or drive once players enter the offensive zone. By all accounts, the old mindset of "defense-first, defense-second, hope-for-Jarome-to-make-something-happen" still dominates the X's and O's. And while that was an appropriate mindset to have when Iginla was the only weapon the Flames possessed, it's just not the case anymore. Calgary has a great goalie and solid defense - let the forwards lose for frig sake.
On a connected issue, Playfair's roster and lines from last night smacked of "cautious defense". He loads up one offensive line - Iginla-Langkow-Tanguay - with vets that can play at both ends of the ice and then demotes Kobasew to the 3rd line (where he is pretty much useless). Amonte gets promoted to the 2nd line, more because he is defensively responsible then offensively capable, and Jamie Lundmark is sat out in favor of Byron Ritchie...
The result? Kobasew and Lombardi are basically neutralized because they don't get much ice (10 minutes and 13 minutes respectively) and Lundmark watches Ritchie skate between the bluelines without purpose all night. Watching the likes of MacDonald, Eaves and Bernier play with Selanne, Heatley and Marleau makes me even more certain of the fact that we need to give our kids a chance - put them on top lines with top players and let them take risks and score some goals. Stop trying to shelter them from risk all the time...they need icetime and opportunity to produce.
So yeah...color me unimpressed. Im hoping there'll be a different look to the Flames roster and systems (particularly that PP - yuck!) come Saturday.
Positives:
- Kipper - played well and made some great saves. Can't really be faulted for any of the goals against.
- Iginla - Made things happen all night and scored the lone Flames goal. Still terrible at penalty shots though.
- Juice - crafty playmaker was the lone Flame trying to make something happen on the PP. Was robbed of a goal by the post. He was even put out on the PK at one point!
- Regehr - Stalwart was tough to beat last night. Absolutely plowed Hemsky into the endboards.
- The Dion - Played 30 minutes and made some big hits.
Negatives:
- Same old scoring woes. Lots of chances, no finish.
- Abysmal powerplay. Zero goals on 9 chances. Playfair frequently started each PP with the 2nd unit (Amonte, Juice, Lombardi) which typically resulted in 1+ minutes being wasted. Also, it seemed like the Flames players were literally tied to the boards during the man advantage. No one in scoring position or crashing the net. Bah.
- Mark Giordano. Struggled most of the evening. Was badly beaten by Hemsky on the first Edmonton goal.
- Roman Hamrlik. Lame clearing attempts and lame wrist shots during the PP. Got a little better as the game went on, but not much.
- Chuck Kobasew. Did nothing to play himself back into the top 6 forwards. Pretty much invisible.
- Lombardi. Largely a non-entity as well.
- Tanguay. Looks rather confused when he's on the ice. Not sure whether he's unused to his linemates or the systems or both. Was benched during small portions of the evening.
- Amonte. I said this last year and I said this during the summer and Im saying this now - Amonte is NOT a top six forward anymore. He works his ass off but his hands have abandoned him. We need Kobasew to have 18 minutes a night, not Tony.
Next up - Revenge!
PS - Just for an extra kick in the crotch, check out Rhino's point totals from last night...
Lord that was a terrible trade!
