Flames: 5-9-1, 6th in Pacific, 12th in West, 26th in NHL.
Panthers: 5-6-3, 6th in Atlantic, 11th in East, 21st in NHL.
Just a quick write up since HD was unavailable for today.
The Flames are coming off their best game of the season, and confidence is at a high for a team that has really struggled in that aspect this season. Beating a red hot Penguins team handily will do that for you. Everyone is excited about the team again, and for good reason. I think we all finally saw what this group of players is capable of when they're playing well and together as a team. Seeing players like Gaudreau, Bennett, and Monahan take over a game like that with the help of other key players gives us a glimpse into the future of this team. Getting some halfway decent goaltending helps too, as Ramo has been a lot more solid over his last two games with the help of a much stronger team defensive game. I personally still feel we will need a goalie at some point this year if we hope to make the playoffs, but for now Ramo is doing the job.
On the other side, after a hot start the Panthers have struggled badly in the last few games, going 0-3-2 in their last 5 including a disastrous road trip through California. 3 games in 4 nights going to the opposite coast is tough at the best of times, but all three California teams took advantage of a Panthers team that has been struggling with injuries and consistency. The Panthers were outscored 12-5 on the trip, and were thoroughly pounded by the L.A. Kings in their last game getting outshot 35-19. They've had a few days off to recuperate, and Gallant is likely going to focus on the team defense since that's what he specializes in and that's what's made them successful this year.
Roberto Luongo is having an excellent year for the Panthers so far. Despite the rough stretch of late, he still has a 2.30 GAA and a .931 Sv%, his best numbers in over a decade. It's not been easy either, as he's had to make several highlight reel saves a night just to keep his team in it.
The Panthers offense has suffered since the loss of Barkov. Early on, the chemistry between Barkov, Jagr, and Huberdeau was electric with exceptional reading of the ice and pretty passing plays. Bjugstad has done adequate filling in for Barkov, but they haven't had the same chemistry and the secondary scoring hasn't been able to fill in the gaps enough. Trocheck is having a good year so far with 10 points in 14 games. He had all of 22 points all last year. Watch for Pirri to shoot the puck every single time he gets it, and watch for Gudbranson's ability to throw an absolutely bone rattling hit.
Roster Notes: Frolik missed practice yesterday with an illness, but should be ready for today's game. Michael Ferland continues his recovery, and is a game time decision tonight. Jagr and Bolland have both been battling minor ailments so far this year, but will be in the lineup tonight. Barkov is out long term.
Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik?
Colborne-Stajan-Jones
Bollig/Ferland-Grant-Raymond
Brodie-Giordano
Russell-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Ramo
Panthers
Huberdeau-Bjugstad-Jagr
Jokinen-Trocheck-Smith
Pirri-Bolland-Grimaldi
Wilson-MacKenzie-Howden
Campbell-Ekblad
Kulikov-Petrovic
Mitchell-Gudbranson
Luongo
Go Flames Go!!!