Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
McDavid is the issue. Backlund, though an top notch defender IMO, seems to have difficulties with his speed and muscle. Backlund fares best against shifty playmaking centres like Tavares, who he was effective against last game. It's still gotta be Backlund against him tonight but Backs is going to have to have a great game.
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Actually, Backlund does really well head-to-head against McDavid if memory serves. There was an article somewhere exactly about this, and how Backlund's line turns the tables on McDavid's line. When Backlund isn't out against McDavid? McDavid destroys Monahan's line and the third line even worse.
At any rate, I predicted that tonight's game would feature Stewart back in. This is exactly the game you pencil him in for. He can beat up Lucic - at the very least stand toe-to-toe with him. I hope that he does this early in the first period and the Flames set the tone. I think when Edmonton got bigger and tougher, the Flames just play them poorly. Having Tkachuk out just makes this decision easier.
Oh, and Jankowski does NOT play soft. I am rather impressed with his belligerence after whistles, and after he got slew-footed. I didn't think he had that side to his game, but boy does he seem to have a bit of a temper. I think that will really serve him well in the long run.