[GDT] Flames vs Senators - 5:30 - TVAS, SN1

[sureLoss]

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Brodie game-time decision tonight for CAL

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Don't really care who starts in net , but whoever it is .......please no soft goals.

I'm not saying goaltending is the reason we are losing, but this team needs a goaltender to step up and post a 1 GAA for the next 3-5 games, while the rest of the team figures out what to do.

Yep, bad goaltending only makes things worse. Forwards are afraid to take chances because they think any odd man rush will result in a goal and the defense plays tense thinking they can't make any mistakes because they have no faith in their goalie.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Sucks for Smid if those are the pairings. He's been arguably better than Engelland this year.

[heep223]

I've really liked Smid's game.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wes Gilbertson @SUNGilbertson
New-look PP units for #Flames:
Wideman, Hamilton, Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett

A lot to like about this unit. First of all, Wideman is known for one thing, and that's shooting hard and wide a lot from either the right point or the left circle. Having 6'5" Hamilton at the point as the "keep-in" man could be huge.

And at forward, Bennett has one of the better one-timers on the team and is willing to take it from various angles. He's also a monster at winning puck battles which we desperately need.

Giordano, Russell, Backlund, Colborne, Hudler

This also finally gets a good playmaker on the second unit in Hudler, while giving him space to work with Backlund. I'd still prefer a high IQ guy like Jooris or Granlund over Colborne, but if we have to dump n chase, at least Colborne can sort-of chase.

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Kristen Odland @KristenOdlandCH
#Flames lines:
Colborne-Monahan-Hudler
Gaudreau-Bennett-Frolik
Raymond-Backlund-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Jooris

Wills reporting slightly different lines

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected lines vs. #Senators:
Gaudreau-Bennett-Frolik
Colborne-Monahan-Hudler
Raymond-Backlund-Jones
Bollig-Grant-Jooris

People might be nervous about scratching Stajan but I think this team could benefit from it because we really need an influx of speed. I would have preferred scratching Bollig though because he's a useless plug.

Forget that though, I like that top nine. Let's start with Raymond-Backlund-Jones. Backlund-Frolik just wasn't working to my eyes. Backlund and Jones flat out worked last year. Raymond just needs to find open areas and let the other two set him up for one-timers. He's no Bouma but he's still a good shot.

Colborne-Monahan-Hudler? Well this line saw some time together last season (and a smidge in Monahan's rookie year). Check their advanced stats, they were 52.6% Corsi-For which is something this team desperately needs - a line not getting out-possessed.

Gaudreau-Bennett-Frolik. We needed this line. We needed Bennett at center, we needed Frolik on Monahan or Bennett's wing.

And Johnny-Sam?

Hell.
Yeah.
The Future Is Now.

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Brodie game-time decision tonight for CAL

I was already hype, but this is the final nail in the coffin.
I.
Am.
HYPE.

[Coach]

Bennett with a two goal night thanks to the Gaudreau Factor. It's science.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Flames avenge their loss in Ottawa from last season. 4-2 goals from Gaudreau Frolik Wideman and Bennett.

[sureLoss]

Wes Gilbertson @SUNGilbertson
What's certain is that G Jonas Hiller starts for #Flames and D Jakub Nakladal and C Derek Grant will be scratches.

Wes Gilbertson @SUNGilbertson
#Flames D TJ Brodie is officially game-time decision. Personally, I think he's in. Ladislav Smid also left ice at usual time, just in case.

[hockey.modern]

Are we at the 23 player roster if Brodie comes back? Or do we need to send someone back if so

[CroFlames]

I get why Hiller starts, but I think Ortio looked good in the 4-0 loss. Obviously the only thing that counts is results and the Flames got pummeled, but I think if you put Ortio in again tonight it'll demonstrate confidence in him by the staff which would only be a good thing.

Hartley has his reason though. And he's been in the business a long time.

[Finger Cookin]

We'd need to make a roster move for Brodie. We're at 25 players, 2 on IR, with Brodie and Bouma out.

Goalie wise, going:

NYR: Hiller
NYI: Ortio
OTT: Hiller
MTL: Ortio
EDM: Hiller

made sense to me before the road trip started. And it makes sense to me now.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Ortio looked about as good as Hiller did in his previous game, which was average. Go with the experienced goalie until he's outplayed.

[locsofblu]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Ortio looked about as good as Hiller did in his previous game, which was average. Go with the experienced goalie until he's outplayed.

The goaltending is only as good as the defence as last game proved this. Yes Im fine with Hiller starting aswell. He is a perfectly capable goalie. Go Flames Go!

[jg13]

I have to give Hartley credit on the new lines today, he knows he can't rely on the top line to win games single handedly which is exactly what has been happening this season.

Taking our biggest threat in Gaudreau and putting him on a line with Bennett and Frolik will hopefully give us 2 legitimate scoring lines, if anyone can get Bennett going offensively it is Johnny and all signs point out to Bennett breaking out soon. Very excited for tonights game. Also welcome back TJ Brodie!

[Finger Cookin]

I should add that the roster move could be as simple swapping Brodie and Ferland on the IR.

[Travis Munroe]

Frolik has arguably been the most consistent flame all year (despite the lack of scoring)
Love putting him in with one of the leagues greatest play makers in Johny and another player with extremely high expectations who has been put second fiddle up until tonight.
Go flames!!

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Frolik has arguably been the most consistent flame all year (despite the lack of scoring)
Love putting him in with one of the leagues greatest play makers in Johny and another player with extremely high expectations who has been put second fiddle up until tonight.
Go flames!!

I might even finally get to use the Frolik Goal Gif!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hockey.modern]

@KristenOdlandCH: But, honestly, it's tough to tell if Brodie is ready or not. Said a couple days ago that he's learning to play through pain.

[sa226]

Even with how the season has started, I still look at the balance of talent in that lineup and think to myself "huh, not too shabby."

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by sa226

Even with how the season has started, I still look at the balance of talent in that lineup and think to myself "huh, not too shabby."

Definitely on paper it's a good looking team.

But so are the Ducks.