[GDT] Flames @ Jets, 1 pm, SN, SNW, TSN3

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Hey Winnipeg...you're welcome


Cue the celebration


After hearing the Flames beat the Kings, the Jets stopped playing mid-game and started celebrating





Flames: 45-29-7, 97 points, CLINCHED a playoff berth, 3rd in the Pacific, 7th in the West, 13th in NHL.

Jets: 42-26-13, 97 points, CLINCHED a playoff berth, 5th in the Central, 8th in the West, 15th in NHL.


The last game of a magical season...really for both of these teams. At the start of the year I'm not sure many would have picked the Jets to be a playoff team, and many, many fewer people would have picked the Flames to be in the playoffs, especially with 97 points and the possibility of 99 points. Both of these teams took a major leap forward and indicated that they were for real and would be a force to be reckoned with going forward. Both teams are still likely to get better next year, but even scarier is the fact that this is just year 2 of the Flames' rebuild, meaning they aren't anywhere near their best yet.

We all know the fantastic rookie campaigns of Gaudreau, and to a lesser extent Jooris, but Ferland, Granlund, and even Ortio have indicated they are ready for this league full time next year. Add in a brilliant sophomore campaign from Sean Monahan, and a solid improvement year from Colborne (especially defensively and physically), and the youth element of this team is already well served, even before you mention a player like Sam Bennett. Don't forget the breakout campaign of Lance Bouma, who looked more like a 2nd line power winger than a 4th line grinder at times this year. TJ Brodie also took a massive leap this year, becoming not only a top pairing defenseman, but possibly one of the best all-around defensemen in the league. I could go on and on about unexpected performances, especially with veterans like Hudler, Russell, Wideman, and even Jones, but that would take up the rest of this post.

Either way, it looks like many of the horses that got us here will be rested today. The Flames recalled Emile Poirier, David Wolf, Brett Kulak, and John Ramage on an emergency basis to let some of the walking wounded heal up for next week. For the Jets, Connor Hellebuyck was recalled in an effort to let Pavelec get some assured rest today. Apparently Hutchinson will start, but don't be shocked to see Hellebuyck get some game action. This game means literally zero to the Jets with regards to the standings, but it is their final home game of the year, so expect a lot of super-happy fans and good energy with the team. The Flames have a chance at 2nd in the Pacific if they win and the Canucks lose in regulation, however the Canucks are playing the Oilers. Let's just play a clean game with very little physical play and let both teams get into the playoffs unscathed.

I want to give a heartfelt congratulations to the Jets for making it this year. They dealt with a lot of adversity the whole year and deserve to be in the playoffs. My best to them as they take on one the toughest matchup of the first round, and I hope they can beat either the Blues or Ducks since both of those teams really took it to the Flames this year. We likely won't meet the Jets in the playoffs, but if we do it should be fun.

Playoff chances update: Both teams are in, what are you looking here for? Winnipeg is cemented in the 2nd wild card spot, and the Flames have a 91% chance of remaining 3rd in the Pacific. The Flames will play the Canucks in the first round, and the Jets will play either the Blues or the Ducks in the first round.


*No idea on the roster for either team as there will be many rested players, so take this with a grain of salt. Perhaps the Jets fans can help with who they think will be rested today

Flames
Ferland-Granlund-Jooris
Raymond-Bennett-Jones
Colborne-Backlund-Poirier
Bollig-Shore-Wolf

Schlemko-Engelland
Wotherspoon-Potter
Kulak-Ramage

Ortio?

Jets
Stafford-Scheifele-Frolik
Tlusty-Lowry-Stempniak
Copp-Slater-Thorburn
Halischuk-O'Dell-Peluso

Byfuglien-Chiarot
Harrison-Trouba
Postma-Pardy

Hutchinson


Go Flames Go! Take it easy out there today.

[Locke]

It'll be interesting to see the confirmed lineups, hoping Bennett gets a shot today.

But I got exactly what I wanted, a completely meaningless game 82.

I know home ice is still up for grabs, but I dont really care, the Flames have been just as good if not better on the road so I dont see home ice as an advantage or disadvantage.

[Vinny01]

I see Johnny and Monahan playing today unless they are banged up. Really hoping for a super young Flames pinup today and for the hell of it out Sam on the RW with Johnny and Monny

[sureLoss]

Roger posted this earlier, but he is missing Poirier

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Guessing #Flames forward lines might be- Gaudreau Bennett Colborne
-Raymond Backlund Shore
-Ferland Granlund Jooris
-Bollig Stajan Wolf

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Just guessing from very limited info #Flames

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Roger posted this earlier, but he is missing Poirier

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Guessing #Flames forward lines might be- Gaudreau Bennett Colborne
-Raymond Backlund Shore
-Ferland Granlund Jooris
-Bollig Stajan Wolf

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Just guessing from very limited info #Flames

Its good to see Hudler getting rested. On the one hand I'd love for him to pad his stats a bit more but on the other hand he took a real beating from Regehr on Thursday.

I thought those net-front crosschecks were illegal these days...

[Finger Cookin]

The playoffs haven't even started yet and I'm sick of hearing about the Jets. Lay the boots to these clowns.

[Flame19,289]

This game needs something meaningful...

Jack Adams award to the winning coach??

[endeavor]

Cali, I've really enjoyed your GDTs this year, thanks for all your effort!

[StrykerSteve]

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions 50m50 minutes ago I do believe we see Joni Ortio in goal for #Flames this afternoon

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Locke

But I got exactly what I wanted, a completely meaningless game 82.

I get what you mean - but the five previous game 82s have also been completely meaningless.

[Puppet Guy]

when was the last time game 82 was meaningless in a GOOD way for the Flames?

[GGG]

I hope the jets end up on our side of the bracket and beat Anaheim. Then we get the Jets in the second round. Although Anaheim is not a great team this year they match up poorly for the flames. Minnisota has also played the flames tough.

So for the first round at least go jets.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I get what you mean - but the five previous game 82s have also been completely meaningless.

That was then, this is now.

[sureLoss]

Benny and the Jets!

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

The playoffs haven't even started yet and I'm sick of hearing about the Jets. Lay the boots to these clowns.

I was hoping that this game being meaningless for playoffs would result in fewer hostilities

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions 50m50 minutes ago I do believe we see Joni Ortio in goal for #Flames this afternoon

Very surprising. Thought he said that he was still sore a couple of days ago. Not that I am complaining. Be great to have him as the backup for the playoffs.

[Vinny01]

I wonder if the Jets faithful will give some small props to the Flames? A lot of Calgary support in Winnipeg and thanks to the Flsmes on Thursdau this game means nothing to the Jets

[FBI]

I am so looking forward to being TOTALLY relaxed watching a flames game
Just will enjoy the excitement of Bennett, Poirier, Wolf, and Wotherspoon, and hoping Johnny gets his 25/40 magic season.

[expatflame]

Such a weird game, almost like a preseason game. It's still strange to think the Flames are actually in the playoffs. I almost don't believe it. I remember the last time I was super excited about the Flames in the playoffs, I could only listen to the games on the radio in 2004 while living overseas.

[albertGQ]

Don't know which thread to put this question in and didn't want to start a new thread.

Are we able to watch the Sens game in the Calgary region? Or is it only on TSN and available in the Ottawa region?