Todd Cordell: Flames 3, Canucks 0: Five takeaways from a stingy defensive showing

Thx Todd. I enjoy your work.

Ditto to the comment above! Mangiapane had a strong game. I liked what I saw from Lucic as well (minus that silly/bad tripping penalty he took). I hope Backlund and Frolik figure it out soon. GFG!

Great analysis! I was at the game, and expected the home opener to be rocking. The fans have regressed, can’t even stand and cheer loudly when the team is being announced! Sad. Not a single Go Flames Go chant!

Great analysis! I was at the game, and expected the home opener to be rocking. The fans have regressed, can’t even stand and cheer loudly when the team is being announced! Sad. Not a single Go Flames Go chant!
- Hubee

They need to fly me out to some games. Couple years ago my when I went, my section was booming

Oil 90 go puck yourself you useless waste of skin and take your boyfriend Neal with you

must make for some ackward showering moments after the game....or maybe tchapunk wears his swimsuit with gaudreau in the little boys shower...which means lucic showers alone I guess...
- oil90

Please no more talk of your fantasies. I'm not judging but this is about hockey.

I thought Monahan had a great game too. Physical and involved, traits he's not really known for.

Wow such nicknames big save Dave...lol...surgical gaudreau...lol...Western conference champs(reg season lol)...the only one coming true is
Mr.James "THE REAL DEAL " Neal...quite the scoring pace change when he plays for a real team with real centers...thanks treliving and here is your third rounder now...we have gift wrapped it for you...how are lucic penalties working for u...officially the most penalized team in the league...
- oil90

You do realize the Oilers let the Kings score 5 last night.....the Kings. They may struggle to put up 5 the rest of the month. Scoring 2 goals against the Kings is not an accomplishment, especially on the power play, they're hardly an AHL team.

I thought Monahan had a great game too. Physical and involved, traits he's not really known for.
- roocifer

I noticed that also . I cant remember him ever initiating a hit ever before last nights tilt. My theory is that management must have told him to set up and get engaged. I hope it continues

I noticed that also . I cant remember him ever initiating a hit ever before last nights tilt. My theory is that management must have told him to set up and get engaged. I hope it continues
- hotshotbeer

It was refreshing to see. I also thought he has had a great couple games.

Solid game for the Flames...I laugh every time someone outside of Calgary questions Rittich

Solid game for the Flames...I laugh every time someone outside of Calgary questions Rittich
- flashfire

Definitely not a solid game if you're expecting the Flames to be contenders. They were outplayed by the Canucks in the first and third, they've taken way too many penalties through two games, they generated zero offence when Gaudreau isn't on the ice, their first goal was a gift from Myers, and the second came out of nowhere because Gaudreau is amazing. Rittich was solid but not spectacular. The shutout had just as much to do with Vancouver being unable to bury their chances. If the Flames play like that against a good team, they lose.

It's nice to get a win, and it's still early in the year, but I'm pretty sure they weren't feeling great about the win and know they have a ton to work on.

Rittich is still a giant question mark until he's put in a full consistent season where he gets 50-60 starts. Everyone knows he can get on a roll for a string of games, but he's struggled every chance he's had to be the guy and hasn't been able to be consistent for a long period of time.

Rittich is for real the flames D look awesome hanifin is a stud that was one of the best pure trades for both teams in a long time !! Tre is a amazing GM his record In traded proves it ! Sure he’s made a couple bad moves but the good largely outway the bad and the depth scores like Ryan mangi Czarnik janko and Bennett will be a large part of the success this year !!
Great time to be a flames fan

Definitely not a solid game if you're expecting the Flames to be contenders. They were outplayed by the Canucks in the first and third, they've taken way too many penalties through two games, they generated zero offence when Gaudreau isn't on the ice, their first goal was a gift from Myers, and the second came out of nowhere because Gaudreau is amazing. Rittich was solid but not spectacular. The shutout had just as much to do with Vancouver being unable to bury their chances. If the Flames play like that against a good team, they lose.

It's nice to get a win, and it's still early in the year, but I'm pretty sure they weren't feeling great about the win and know they have a ton to work on.

Rittich is still a giant question mark until he's put in a full consistent season where he gets 50-60 starts. Everyone knows he can get on a roll for a string of games, but he's struggled every chance he's had to be the guy and hasn't been able to be consistent for a long period of time.
- Hunkulese

Game two relax...lots of good signs

And Rittich was the guy last season until injury...and even then his record was solid getting 45 starts 27-9-5. People act like he was a backup last season despite playing the majority of the games.

Game two relax...lots of good signs

And Rittich was the guy last season until injury...and even then his record was solid getting 45 starts 27-9-5. People act like he was a backup last season despite playing the majority of the games.
- flashfire

The good signs so far are Gaudreau looks awesome, special teams are solid, Lucic hasn't been a black hole, and not much else. What's the second line done? What's the third line done? What's the fourth line done? Brodie's been off. Kylington's outplaying Andersson. If this team wants to be an elite contender they need to make quick improvements pretty much everywhere. The Flames don't have much of a window. They need to be elite this year.

Rittich was the backup until December and that's when he built up his numbers. When he started getting more starts, his numbers dropped off.

The good signs so far are Gaudreau looks awesome, special teams are solid, Lucic hasn't been a black hole, and not much else. What's the second line done? What's the third line done? What's the fourth line done? Brodie's been off. Kylington's outplaying Andersson. If this team wants to be an elite contender they need to make quick improvements pretty much everywhere. The Flames don't have much of a window. They need to be elite this year.

Rittich was the backup until December and that's when he built up his numbers. When he started getting more starts, his numbers dropped off.
- Hunkulese

Rittich had a knee injury late last season that coincided with his numbers dropping. When he's 100 %, he's looked really good … quick, althletic and good poise. There's really nothing not to like about him.

The good signs so far are Gaudreau looks awesome, special teams are solid, Lucic hasn't been a black hole, and not much else. What's the second line done? What's the third line done? What's the fourth line done? Brodie's been off. Kylington's outplaying Andersson. If this team wants to be an elite contender they need to make quick improvements pretty much everywhere. The Flames don't have much of a window. They need to be elite this year.

Rittich was the backup until December and that's when he built up his numbers. When he started getting more starts, his numbers dropped off.
- Hunkulese

It’s game 2. I can see full on panic after 5 games but it’s only been 2....are you saying it’s time to write off the season?

It’s game 2. I can see full on panic after 5 games but it’s only been 2....are you saying it’s time to write off the season?
- DuranDuran

Are you high? People on here are laughably dense. How is saying the team needs to play better if they want to be an elite team in any way panicking? The only reason to be panicking is if the dressing room is happy with how they played and think they'll be contenders if they keep playing that way. I guarantee you they're not feeling that way.

I'm saying they can and should be an elite team if they put in the work, and you twist that to it's time to write off the season?


Good teams can have mediocre or even bad games and still win. That's what happened. They were lucky they were playing the Canucks.

Are you high? People on here are laughably dense. How is saying the team needs to play better if they want to be an elite team in any way panicking?

I'm saying they can and should be an elite team if they put in the work, and you twist that to it's time to write off the season?


Good teams can have mediocre or even bad games and still win. That's what happened. They were lucky they were playing the Canucks.
- Hunkulese

JFC you are a complete clown.
You put down the team at every opportunity, call out those who disagree with your obvious superior knowledge of the game and the Calgary Flames. You don't simply say the team needs to play better, you poop on every aspect of the game. Rarely do you find a positive yet seem insulted when anyone questions your upbeat demeanor and interpretation of the sport. Hey in this brave "new" world of online obscurity, everyone has an opinion and you certainly have yours but you don't be an ass-clown when anyone on here questions you.

Wow can you take away the good at all ? Sure not perfect but this team as it sits has played what 3-4 games together? Both games had signs of being dominate and not so good it’s early and rittich is a starter his numbers last year were epic 9 loses what the hell do you want more than that ? Give your head a shake and a knee injury is like a sniper with one broken wrist and we know what that looks like / so are they contenders ? No one is 2 games in are they perfect no but the positive out way the negative and 3 rd and 4 lines played way better 2 Nd game so chill mangi or Bennett will take Frolik a spot and soon

We got the first win out of the way and looked pretty good while doing so...Both the Flames players and the fans know very well that this was only game 2 and there’s still a lot to improve on, and they even said they have been really focusing on the little things. I truly believe that we’re gonna start running on all cylinders more sooner then later with all four lines which includes staying out of the penalty box more then they have too...And mark my words, by the time seasons done, EVERYONE is gonna realize how Rittich is an absolute STUD!!!

Are you high? People on here are laughably dense. How is saying the team needs to play better if they want to be an elite team in any way panicking? The only reason to be panicking is if the dressing room is happy with how they played and think they'll be contenders if they keep playing that way. I guarantee you they're not feeling that way.

I'm saying they can and should be an elite team if they put in the work, and you twist that to it's time to write off the season?


Good teams can have mediocre or even bad games and still win. That's what happened. They were lucky they were playing the Canucks.
- Hunkulese

Wow you are a serious douchbag Drunkulese. This is a forum for hockey talk and the absolute hubris you have in thinking your always right is disgusting. Your negativity in everything, even whilst winning the west last year and only being 2 games into this season is absolute mind drivel. We don’t appreciate your wife beater mentality. Pull your GD socks up and clean up your act.

Wow you are a serious douchbag Drunkulese. This is a forum for hockey talk and the absolute hubris you have in thinking your always right is disgusting. Your negativity in everything, even whilst winning the west last year and only being 2 games into this season is absolute mind drivel. We don’t appreciate your wife beater mentality. Pull your GD socks up and clean up your act.
- Flamin_Irishmin

Meanwhile...back at the ranch................

Not impressed with Frolik. Wish the heLL we get past this 3M line & start focusing offensive talent on a 2nd line. Even the underlying analytics blows chunks on that 3M line. Not sure Backlund should be playing either. Benny needs to be playing top 6.
I would like to see Tkachuk with Benny & Ryan alternating centre/RW. Move Backlund & Frolik down with Lucic (who is surprisingly defensively responsible).

Roll the 4th with Mangi/Janko/Czarnik & Reider. I have always felt we should be cultivating a line a pairing with Tkachuk & Benny like we had done with Gaudreau & Monahan. Who knows who or when a Lindholm would come along & go electric like they did last year. Just saying. Time to scrap the 3M or at least put it on the shelf for awhile.