I got see the new lines up close and personal last night thanks to the generosity of Walk Invisible, who happened to have an extra ticket to the game. We ate pocket dogs and rained both compliments and insults on the players all night. Good times.
Anyways, I mostly liked what I saw...not only because the new combos seemed to click, but because Keenan has seemingly caught on to the fact that Bertuzzi shouldn't play with Iginla and needs to be sheltered. The big guy got all of 9 minutes at ES and was frequently sent out against the lesser lights while Jarome's new line took on the big boys (Kopitar et al).
Here's how the corsi numbers came out. As you'll see, Bert still struggled (which matches to what I saw) to be effective, despite the reduced role. In fact, he, Boyd and Langkow ended up with the worst cumulative shots +/- on the team.
Watching Bertuzzi last night and looking at the numbers this morning brings to mind a particular Simpsons episode where Mr. Burns is searching for an heir. At one point, Smithers insinuates that perhaps HE should be the one to inherit Burns' fortune when the old man dies. To which Burns replies:
You, Smithers? Oh no, my dear friend. I've planned a far greater reward for you. When I pass on, you shall be buried alive with me. [Opens a miniature coffin containing dead Burns and aghast Smithers]
Bertuzzi is Mr.Burns; he's going to bury alive those unfortunates who are stuck with him. Last night, it was Langkow and Boyd. And I think that's how this merry-go-round is going to proceed all season. A never-ending quest to find ways to conceal the big man at even-strength. Searching for the best method to minimize the damage. Which means one of the big guns is going to be crammed in the coffin with him: for awhile it was Jarome, but the cruel hand of Keenan might just settle on Langkow after this. Bad news for those of you that own him in fantasy pools.
Speaking of fantasy pools: Rene Bourque, Matthew Lombardi and Curtis Glencross might be steals for some of you in deeper leagues. The former because he might end up with Jarome at even-strength (while Langkow gets buried alive) and the other two because they seem to be doing good work on whatever line they land on. Heck, they are currently 1/2 on the Flames in terms of ESP/60.
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Interesting interview with Jim Playfair after the game, where the hot-stovers grilled him about some issues that are near and to dear to my heart.
- The recent success of Conroy was mentioned, to which Playfair pulled out this bon mot: "Conroy is a lot more comfortable not carrying Jarome's clubs around the ice" (or something very near it). Yes! YES! A thousand times yes.
- Giordano was brought up (24 minutes of ice) and Playfair explained that some of his early defensive struggles were habits formed in Russia. Apparently, they employed a highly aggressive gameplan that saw blueliners rushing full-bore at the opposition in the neutral zone. Playfair added that Gio has begun to shake that habit, leading to more ice-time. Also said he's probably one of the best in the league at walking the offensive blueline.
- Penalties and discipline were mentioned as well, in light of the numerous power plays against the Kings. Playfair said the team has adjusted ice management by the forwards on the forecheck so that back-checkers aren't chasing the bad guys
as much. He was also in the paper the other day stressing that the Flames want a positive penalty differential going forward.
- Rob Kerr brought up the fact that the Flames blocked the least amount of shots in the NHL through the first twenty games. Playfair explained that the strategy has always been to "seal out" the opposition so that Kipper can have a clear view of the shot. Apparently, the coaching staff has been re-evaluating that strategy in light of the pounding at the hands of the Sharks; a game in where a lot of point shots got through and created havoc around the crease. There's a new emphasis on stuffing passing/shooting lanes in the defensive zone as a result. In addition, Kipper has apparently given the skaters the green light to step in front of wrist shots. It'll be interesting to see if the block numbers go up from here on in...
UPDATE - corsi link fixed.
