Flames: 2-5-0, 6th in Pacific, 13th in West, 25th in NHL.
Rangers: 5-2-2, 2nd in Metropolitan, 3rd in East, 5th in NHL.
The Flames of last year are back.......I hope?
Last game against Detroit looked much more like the team we all grew to appreciate. Hard work, never-say-die attitude, timely goal scoring, solid goaltending, offense from defense; I could go on, but it was a very positive sign to see them play much more to their capabilities. However, it wasn't a perfect game, and Detroit isn't the best team in the league these days. Bottom line is there's still more work to do to get this team playing to their capabilities, but signs are pointing to them being on the right track.
They'll need it against one of the best in the East, the New York Rangers. They've gotten off to another strong start, with both a top ten offense and defense in the league. Lundqvist is off to a very strong start, posting a 1.97 GAA and a .941 Sv%. The good news is we might see the backup today since they played last night and it's their 3rd game in 4 nights. Although, that may not be great news either since Antti Raanta had a 22 save shutout in his only appearance. The Rangers have one of the most solid defensive teams from top to bottom, and then, when all else fails, they have one of the elite starters in the game and a very capable backup. Scoring chances will be at a premium today, so the Flames need to take shots when they become available and not over-pass the puck. Don't expect many tic-tac-toe goals today.
Now whenever you have Gaudreau playing, you might get a tic-tac-toe play regardless of the opponent. He's off to a fantastic start posting 9 points in 7 games, pushing him into the conversation of the elite offensive players in the league. Remember when we were all hoping for him to turn into Patrick Kane? Well Kane has 11 points in 8 games. He's almost at that level already. Now all we need is for Monahan to turn into Toews and for Bennett to turn into Doug Gilmour and we'll be all set. Seriously though, we still need some top 6 production. Hudler has been ok, but has been invisible recently. Monahan has been really up and down to start the year and has just 4 points so far. Bennett has struggled to find his offense consistently, posting a single assist in 6 games. Frolik has been excellent in his own zone and playing the type of game we brought him in here for, but has yet to score a goal. That's not even mentioning players like Backlund, Ferland, Raymond, Jooris, and Stajan for secondary scoring. Now that the defense is beginning to stabilize, the forwards need to up their game and get aggressive in the offensive zone. The Flames are still one of the lowest scoring teams so far this year, so improvement from everyone is essential.
Roster Notes: It looks like Ferland is out for a period of time (yet to be determined), so the Flames recalled Derek Grant from Stockton. No word yet on whether he will be in the lineup tonight over Bollig, but it's possible since the Rangers are a relatively quick team and Bollig doesn't help that.
Rosters are a guess without Ferland in the lineup.
Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Raymond-Bennett-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Jooris
Alternate:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Stajan-Jones
Raymond-Grant-Jooris
Giordano-Wideman
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Nakladal?
Hiller
Rangers
Nash-Stepan-Zuccarello
Kreider-Brassard-Fast
Lindberg-Hayes-Miller
Stalberg-Moore-Stoll
McDonagh-Klein
Yandle-Girardi
Staal-Boyle
Raanta?
Go Flames Go!!!