[GDT] Flames vs. Blackhawks - 7:30 pm, TSN

[MissTeeks]

Figured I'd start a game day thread since the morning skate has started:

Randy Sportak‏@SUNRandySportak2 mins

#Flames Michael Cammalleri (concussion) on the ice with the team for morning skate.

[$ven27]

6-2 Hawks

[MissTeeks]

Pat Steinberg‏@Fan960Steinberg1 min

#Flames lines tonight: Hudler-Backlund-Stempniak; Galiardi-Monahan-Colborne; Bouma-Stajan-D Jones; Westgarth-Street-McGrattan

Pat Steinberg‏@Fan960Steinberg2 mins

Looks like Byron, Blair Jones, and Breen are the healthy scratches tonight. That means Street and McGrattan are back in. #Flames

[MissTeeks]

It was announced yesterday that Berra was starting.

[Robo]

Seems like forever since we played

[Poe969]

excited for the game tonight....not because I think the Flames will win but more just to see a game. I hate long turn a round's between games

[Scoutski]

Flames win 4-2 with an empty netter. Giordano (x2), Backlund and McGrattan.

Analysts start talking about what kind of streak is needed to reach the playoffs and Flames end up going on a crazy roll but finishing in 9th place. Reto Berra cries in his final post-game interview of the season because it was so close, CP demands a trade and forever laments it when he ends up backstopping MTL to a cup in 2 years.

Or Flames probably lose 4-1.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Ahhh. The President's State of the Union address is tonight too.

[djsFlames]

4-3 Hawks in OT

Monahan with an ASSIST

[Soliak]

Don't care about the result, pretty much just want Monahan to do well.

Another goal or two plz Monny.

Boring Sean Monahan ‏@boringmonahan Jan 26
Baertschi just asked if I was watching the Grammys. I said yes are you? He said no I'm watching True Detective, its a show about detectives.

<3

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Pat Steinberg‏@Fan960Steinberg1 min

#Flames lines tonight: Hudler-Backlund-Stempniak; Galiardi-Monahan-Colborne; Bouma-Stajan-D Jones; Westgarth-Street-McGrattan

Pat Steinberg‏@Fan960Steinberg2 mins

Looks like Byron, Blair Jones, and Breen are the healthy scratches tonight. That means Street and McGrattan are back in. #Flames

I wonder who goes down when Cammy gets back in the lineup, which should be by weeks end..

[kyuss275]

Would have thought the Flames would want some speed in their line-up? Byron would have brought that.

[JonDuke]

I've got a fresh new Monohan gif I'm itching to use. We need to win or he's at least gotta score!!

[wretched34]

Would much rather see Byron in than Galiardi.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

I've got a fresh new Monohan gif I'm itching to use. We need to win or he's at least gotta score!!

"No ragrets"?

[thefoss1957]

Originally Posted by $ven27

6-2 Hawks

'Hawk offense has really been sputtering lately...I don't see a 6 goal outburst.

Bickell was a healthy scratch Sunday vs. the Jets...I expect him back on the 3rd line.

Pirri has been recalled from the Rock...so there will be some line juggling...I expect an ice-cold Handzus to be the scratch.

Probable lines for my guys:

Sharp/Toews/Hossa
Saad/Pirri/Kane
Bickell/Shaw/Versteeg
Bollig/Kruger/Ben Smith

Seakeith
Oduya/Hjarlmasson
Leddy/Rozival

My guess Raanta tonight, Crawford for the Canucks, tomorrow.

Wouldn't be shocked to see Kane and Hossa swapped...Kane has been slumping (mainly due to having no help on the 2nd line). Many 'Hawk fans suspect that Toews is nursing a wrist injury...he often doesn't take draws in the D-Zone, over the passed month.

Sharp has cooled off some too. Over the passed 3 weeks, the FOURTH line has been, clearly, the best line. Keeping it simple, heavy forecheck, solid cycling, and shooting at every opportunity. The top 2 lines have been too "cute", waiting for perfect setups. The 3rd line has been dreck...Handzus has been like an anchor, Bickell, in Q's doghouse, and Versteeg, a turnover machine...they often have been getting less than 10 minutes of ice time, and are the line that is squeezed, if Q shortens the bench.

I gotta work from 1500 to 2300, tonight, so won't be able to be in the game thread in real time...will watch the game when I get home, and post observations in the PGT. Good luck to your Flames, and of course, to my Flame fan friends here at CP...

A shout out to Nickerjones!

Unless the 'Hawks get back to basic, workmanlike hockey, the Flames have a great shot at 2 points tonight.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Scoutski

Flames win 4-2 with an empty netter. Giordano (x2), Backlund and McGrattan.

Analysts start talking about what kind of streak is needed to reach the playoffs and Flames end up going on a crazy roll but finishing in 9th place. Reto Berra cries in his final post-game interview of the season because it was so close, CP demands a trade and forever laments it when he ends up backstopping MTL to a cup in 2 years.

Or Flames probably lose 4-1.

This one seems more likely.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Berra actually plays pretty decent against the Hawks. First NHL game was amazing, but the one that we played at home he just fell apart in the last 10 minutes of the third period. Obviously wasn't entirely his fault, but we need to learn how to close out games. Hawks have only been playing mediocre as of late, so the outcome of this game is pretty questionable.With that being said, I still think the Flames will play a strong first and second period, but once again fail to close.

[MissTeeks]

Aaron Vickers‏@AAVickers2 mins

Mike Cammalleri nearing return. Didn't pinpoint a date but said it was a coach's decision now. #Flames

[PeteMoss]

Saw a tweet about Kane being out until the Olympics... I was happy.

Then I realized it was Evander Kane... and my happiness was gone.