[GDT] Capitals vs. Flames, 8 p.m., CBC

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Ok, so a 5-3-1 record to start the year is a little surprising, and the goaltending has been a large part of it, but should we really be shocked that the Flames are doing well? I, personally, am not shocked. We all saw this team last year come with gritty efforts every night and find ways to stay within one goal in 49 games last year, with a pretty good record in those games too. Rarely were they blown out, and rarely did they blow anyone out (Edmonton notwithstanding). That means that they were a key save, or a key goal, away from a win. The saves are coming so far as the Flames have a team GAA of 2.11. The goals are starting to come, with 5 the other night against Carolina, pushing them to 2.67 GFA, and many of the forwards have yet to break out offensively. Thankfully Monahan got his first 2 of the year after struggling with the flu and a long road trip, but there are plenty of players looking for their first of the year still. Even more impressive, when it comes to 5 on 5, the Flames own the 3rd best GF/GA percentage at 1.80, ahead of Chicago, L.A., Anaheim, Washington, Dallas, Tampa Bay etc. The PK was to blame early on, but it has been solid since a few games ago, and the PP is right among the league average. One can only guess at these things so early in the season, but if the Flames manage to continue making progress on their team game, score enough goals, and get solid goaltending the rest of the year, the playoffs are not out of the realm of possibilities. Yes, that’s right, I said the “p” word. Playoffs. There’s a surprise team every year, why not the Flames? Aaron Ward seemed to think so.

Tonight they face the Capitals, another Eastern Conference opponent who has not fared well when coming out west. Losing to the Oilers is always shameful, so to take their minds off that horrible disappointment they went curling, which I think was the reason the sport was invented in the first place. However, the Caps have a good record to start the year, scoring a lot of goals and giving up few. Those stats are due in large part to a top 3 PP, and a 8th ranked PK, putting their combined percentages at 113.7% (anything over 100% is good special teams). They have also been scoring and defending well 5 on 5 with a top 10 ratio. The scoring has been spread among the whole roster, with only 4 of the players to play a game failing to score a point. Holtby and Peters have been rock solid, both around the 2.00 GAA mark and both are above .915 Sv%. There’s really not a lot of holes on this team like there were in previous years. The Caps were always talented, but now they are coached by Barry Trotz. Could be a dark horse team to end up in the Conference Finals.

Fun fact: another local boy comes home to play his first game at the Saddledome: Jay Beagle, despite 5 years in the league. Oddly, circumstances always got in the way of him suiting up for a game in the dome. He said he might have over 150 friends and family in the stands cheering for him.

As always, lineups are guesses and SureLoss will provide the updates throughout the day. Ramo will get the start. It should be noted that the Capitals are a surprisingly large team, so McGrattan may get a chance to play tonight.

Flames
Hudler-Monahan-Colborne
Gaudreau-Backlund-Raymond
Glencross-Stajan-Byron
Bollig-Bouma-Jooris

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Engelland

Ramo

Capitals
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Fehr
Burakovsky-Johanssen-Brouwer
Chimera-Kuznetsov-Beagle
O’Brien-Latta-Ward

Carlson-Niskanen
Alzner-Orpik
Green-Schmidt

Holtby



Go Flames Go!

[Poe969]

6-1 flames. Johnny with 2 goals 2 assists.

[sureLoss]

Flames practice on Friday had the same lines as Thursday's game against Carolina.

Setoguchi-Jones-McGratten skated as the 5th line so Flames may need to make a roster move soon.

[YYC in LAX]

Always fun when Alzner and Green come back to Calgary. Should be a great game on CBC.

[Northendzone]

Hopefully the team watches that 8-0 debacle from a year or three ago.......flames should have the revenge factor going for them......

[Arya Stark]

First shootout of the year. 4-3 Flames!

[RyZ]

If we can limit Ovechkin on the PP, Im not sure the Caps are any better then us in any other area. That being said, Ovechkin often has his way with us when we play so its certainly going to be difficult. Im gonna guess we go to OT at 3-3 then its anyones game.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

First shootout of the year. 4-3 Flames!

Pretty sure the game against the Preds went to a shootout.

[activeStick]

Really like your write ups in these GDTs - thanks!

I expect the Flames to lose tonight as Trotz will have them focused after the Edmonton loss. Likely a good night for OV as I think he was held pointless last game.

Shouldn't be a blow out as the Flames are too well coached for that, so I'll go with 4-3 WAS.

[sureLoss]

Roger Millions @RogMillions
#Flames no changes for tonight..other than Karri Ramo in Goal.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Flames practice on Friday had the same lines as Thursday's game against Carolina.

Setoguchi-Jones-McGratten skated as the 5th line so Flames may need to make a roster move soon.

See you in Adirondack Setoguchi.

[ramizle]

Great GDT writeups Cali Flames Fan. Keep em coming.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

<snip> Tonight they face the Capitals, another Eastern Conference opponent who has not fared well when coming out west. Losing to the Oilers is always shameful, so to take their minds off that horrible disappointment they went curling, which I think was the reason the sport was invented in the first place.

Hopefully Trotz yells "Hurry! Hurry Hard!" at Ovechkin when he needs to backcheck...

[greentree]

Professional-grade preview. Thanks Cali Flames Fan!
This should be a very good, close game. I'm guessing 5-3 for the visitors

[jg13]

hard to believe if we win this we are 6-3-1 in our first 10 GP.

Give the coach an extension!

[Travis Munroe]

Wasnt Glencross on the 4th line last game?
I would like to see Jooris and Glencross swapped out as I find Jooris grit and hustle is better served on a more skilled line.

[dammage79]

Oh and we get the distinct pleasure of having Bob Cole call a regular season game for the Flames. I for one and very excited about this.

[the_only_turek_fan]

I am super pumped for Bob Cole tonight.

If only we could get Harry Neale and his magical measuring tape back for one more game.....

[ThatsRobbery]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Wasnt Glencross on the 4th line last game?
I would like to see Jooris and Glencross swapped out as I find Jooris grit and hustle is better served on a more skilled line.

Glencross was with Stajan and Byron?? last game. More like the 2nd line that game, and they played pretty well I thought. Bollig-Bouma-Jooris was the 4th and they were pretty solid too (then again against that AHL Canes team, everyone did)

[Coach]

I like the lines. Makes sense.