[GDT] Flames @ Ducks, 8:00 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[Puppet Guy]

They did it before, can they do it again? The Flames broke the Anaheim Curse back in October, and they look to turn it into a winning streak tonight.


Setting the stage (www.calgaryherald.com)

The Flames knew they wanted to play both netminders on this back-to-back trip to California so they looked at the scenario. David Rittich made his NHL debut at SAP Center at the end of last season, a mop-up performance, but has also played in the building with the AHL’s Stockton Heat, the Flames affiliate. Mike Smith, meanwhile, did the unthinkable by breaking the Honda Center curse. “If you look at Mike Smith’s record in both rinks, they’re pretty good,” said Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan. “But he has a really good record in Anaheim. So we look at those type of things … but we knew we were splitting, so looking at Ritty’s comfort level here we gave him the start.”

After being riddled with injuries earlier in the season, the Ducks are the healthiest they’ve been all year. Although wingers Corey Perry and Patrick Eaves are still out, having Ryan Kesler back down the middle gives them a boost. “It felt good,” said the 33-year-old former Vancouver Canucks pest of his return on Wednesday. “A little rusty … as the game went on, I settled in.” Kesler has played 898 NHL games, scoring 245 goals and 306 assists. He was a minus-3 on Wednesday, playing 16:27 of ice time, and had three shots on net.

This is the Flames’ sixth set of back-to-back games this season. Heading into Thursday’s game in San Jose, the Flames were 1-3-0-1 in the first game while their record in the second half of those games is impressive: 4-1-0-0. They’ll have five more back-to-back scenarios this season. Their next is on Jan. 11- 12 in Tampa Bay and Florida, respectively.

The Ducks are in clean-up mode after a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday … Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said RW Corey Perry (knee) should be skating soon … Friday’s game is the second of seven consecutive games against Pacific Division teams before the Ducks’ five-day scheduled bye-week … The Anaheim club needs six more home wins to hit 500 in franchise history (excluding neutral site games).

a little more Duck talk (www.anaheimcalling.com)

1. Start Quickly (And Don’t Blow It This Time) - The Ducks got exactly the start they needed against the Vegas Golden Knights, where they turned early offensive zone pressure into a 1-0 lead just 1:40 into the contest. This time, try not to make that the last time you score in the game. The Calgary Flames will be on the second half of a back-to-back, so ensuring that you get the first goal and keep them on their heels early is essential.

2. John Gibson - Rinse and repeat. John Gibson has been one of the largest reasons the Ducks still have a decent chance in the standings and he’ll need to continue playing Vezina-level hockey until the Ducks offense finds a groove and starts rolling.

3. Kevin Bieksa - Try not to let people walk in alone on your goaltender so they can score easy goals. Thanks.

lineups (www.dailyfaceoff.com)

FLAMES

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway
Brouwer - Stajan - Jagr

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone

Smith

DUCKS

Rakell - Getzlaf - Kase
Ritchie - Henrique - Silfverberg
Cogliano- Kesler- Shaw
Roy - Vermette - Wagner

Lindholm - Manson
Fowler - Bieksa
Beauchemin - Montour

Gibson


That Darn Puppet takes a lesser role today, as he apprentices to a chef of some renown. Duck soup is evidently a delicacy in his native Sweden:

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[sureLoss]

FWIW Wills says he didn't see Frolik on the charter from SJ to ANA.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Please win. This forum desperately needs something positive to talk about.

[Vinny01]

Need these points

[codynw]

Ducks win 69-1

[bigrangy]

A team that willingly plays Bieksa in their top 6 should be easy pickings. Damn he is bad.

Too bad Gibson is more than good enough to make up for his awfulness.

Go flams

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

FWIW Wills says he didn't see Frolik on the charter from SJ to ANA.

TRADE!!!!

[MisterJoji]

With all the doom and gloom around here lately, justified or not, the OOT has been very friendly the last two nights. If it is friendly again tonight (Nashville beats Minnesota) and we win, we’re back in a playoff spot.

[Toonage]

My 2 cents: If Frolik is out (likely) I would expect Jagr or Brouwer to move up and Lazar back in the lineup. Even if the Flames do recall a player like Mangiapane or Hrivik there is 0% chance they put them in the lineup tonight. Not the Flames way sadly.

[FlameFan21]

Just another building now.

[bubbsy]

I think the flames need 4 out of 6 in these 3 critical games in 4 nights. So they need 3 in the next 2. They just need to keep getting points one way or another at this stage.

Tonight will be tough. I don't have much hope, the team has given their fans little to hang their hats on again this season.

[kukkudo]

Just put the effort in and out chance them that's all that matters win or lose.

[sixpacked]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Please win. This forum desperately needs something positive to talk about.

In all honesty, even if they win do think all the PGT posts are going to be positive??

It's going to be "OMG we didn't win 12 to negative 3, FIRE GLUEGUN!!" "Brouwer looked at the ice, fire him into the SUN!!!

[ClubFlames]

Originally Posted by sixpacked

In all honesty, even if they win do think all the PGT posts are going to be positive??

It's going to be "OMG we didn't win 12 to negative 3, FIRE GLUEGUN!!" "Brouwer looked at the ice, fire him into the SUN!!!

Haha I literally LOL'd.

4-1 Flames tonight. First line breaks out of their slump.

[Insufficient Funds]

While the results of last nights game are not what anyone wanted or what this team needs right now, they played a good road game. Sounds like they lost Frolik though which hurts. JAGS to the second line!

First line needs to get their collective #### together. They have gone ice cold over the last month and this team is not nearly deep enough to win without their contributions.

This defensive core needs to start pitching in with offence as well. Gio is playing his heart out so I'm looking at you Hamilton and Brodie. Do something.

I expect a bounce back win.

[direwolf]

For the love of all things good and pure, just get the 2 points. Preferably in regulation.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

FWIW Wills says he didn't see Frolik on the charter from SJ to ANA.

Luckily Mangiapane is close.

[ClubFlames]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Luckily Mangiapane is close.

Unluckily Freddie and Lazar are closer.

[the2bears]

Continue the new curse tonight: Anaheim, in the pond, winless against Calgary since 20XX

[NewFan]

Darryl Sutter – I expected that if we score 1 goal we will win the game. Kipper will shut the goal and Regehr or Phenauf will kill someone from other team.
Mike Keenan – I expected we may score 3 or more goals, but scared the other team will score more.
Brent Sutter – We usually lose the game. All players and I scared to make a single mistake as it will cost the game.
Bob Hartley – Can’t wait the game. I expected we will battle until the last second of the game. We will be outskate and outwork other team and never will die without battle.
Glen Gulutzan – Don’t know what to expect. But it looks like the tunnel is a lot longer and there may not be a light in the end.