The Kar(r)is
Flames: 41-28-7, 89 points, 3rd in the Pacific, 8th in the West, 15th in NHL.
Stars: 37-29-10, 84 points, 6th in the Central, 10th in the West, 20th in NHL.
Huge win yesterday. This team once again looks like the hard-working bunch that made everyone believe. Great games from just about everyone, and that might be what it takes down the stretch to get in, so get used to it. Bouma continues his ridiculous season with a 2-goal game, and Ferland got his first of his NHL career, which we hope is a long one. But if nothing else, it got the confidence back in this group, which was sorely needed.
Now it’s time for a bit of revenge. The Stars managed to steal a shootout victory from the Flames when they visited just a couple of games ago. Since then, they managed to lose to Edmonton, and got another shootout victory over Vancouver. They still think they can get in by winning out, but I’d like to put those dreams to rest tonight with a convincing win in their building.
It begins and ends with Lehtonen. When he’s on, the Stars have a chance of winning, but when he’s off, the entire team struggles and they look like a bottom feeder. The other night in Edmonton he ended up with a .857 Sv%, but then rebounded with a .917 against Vancouver. It’s hard to know which goalie will show up, and they need him because their defense is generally porous.
But, don’t forget to take care of your own end against Dallas. They are incredibly aggressive in the offensive zone, and the Flames will need well practiced zone exits with no panic today if they want to neutralize their attack. Even though they managed to do that pretty well last game, Hemsky managed to single-handedly take over the game with a pair of good rushes through a defense that wasn’t willing to take his space away. That needs to change today. Simply put, the Flames are the much better defensive team by the numbers, but whoever plays better defense today will win.
Playoff Update: Current chances of making the playoffs up 19.4%!!! to 71.1%. What a wild swing occurred yesterday. Flames won, Jets lost. Today, a Flames win increases their odds by another 10%. One major game in the OOT with the Kings on the road playing Chicago. Blackhawks win is +4.2% and a Kings win is a -4.8% to our playoff chances. Vancouver is on the road against St. Louis but that game only has a 1% swing either way.
Roster Notes: Paul Byron aggravated his lower body injury, missing yesterday’s game and is day-to-day, meaning not likely to play today. No word on if Granlund has recovered from his illness, but he might have a tough time getting into the lineup. Valeri Nichushkin is on a conditioning assignment in the AHL, and Rich Peverley is still gone for the season. Other than that the Stars are 100% healthy.
Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Raymond-Jooris-Colborne
Ferland-Stajan-Shore
Russell-Wideman
Brodie-Engelland
Schlemko-Diaz
Ramo
Stars
Benn-Seguin-Eaves
Eakin-Spezza-Hemsky
Roussel-Fiddler-Sceviour
McKenzie-Horcoff-Ritchie
Jokipakka-Goligoski
Daley-Klingberg
Benn-Demers
Lehtonen
Go Flames Go!!!!!!