[GDT] Flames @ Predators, 6 p.m., SN360. CP to hold candlelight vigil in memory of Scorch

[Cali Panthers Fan]

The Flames are in the midst of a challenging 6 game road trip to start the year, and were recently stomped pretty soundly by the Blues. The flu has been ravaging the team of late, but there are no new bodies being kept out of the lineup and Hudler should make his return after missing the last game. David Jones is still day to day with a lower body injury and likely won't play tonight in Nashville. There wasn't much positive about the last game besides the Flames' compete level. The Flames will try to build on that and jump out early against a Predators team that is as sound as ever defensively.

The Predators have gotten off to a hot start with wins over both Ottawa and Dallas. It's been due in large part to the play of the Preds 4th line as Gaustad and, yes, Eric Nystrom are leading the team with 4 points each in 2 games. Nystrom has 2 goals in 2 games and a 100% shooting percentage. The top line of Bourque-Ribeiro-Neal however has been pretty poor, with 0 points between them and a collective -6. Rinne seems like his old self again after an injury riddled campaign a year ago, starting off with a 1.50 GAA and .921 sv%, but has only faced 38 shots through 2 games. It will be difficult to penetrate the Preds strong defensive system, and then you have to face Rinne. It will be another very tough night to score for the Flames.

Special teams were a point of focus for the Flames practice yesterday, especially working on the PK. One has to hope the Flames can improve upon their 54.6% PK which ranks 2nd worst in the league so far.

Flames
Glencross-Backlund-Byron
Hudler-Monahan-Setoguchi
Raymond-Colborne-Gaudreau
Bollig-Stajan-Bouma

Brodie-Giordano
Russell-Engelland
Smid-Wideman

Ramo


Predators
Bourque-Ribeiro-Neal
Forsberg-Roy-Smith
Wilson-Jarnkrok-Jokinen
Nystrom-Gaustad-Beck

Josi-Weber
Volchenkov-Jones
Ekholm-Ellis

Rinne


Jokinen on playing against his former club on Tuesday:
“I enjoyed my time [in Calgary] but I’ve played with almost half the teams in the league, so it’s not that big of a deal anymore.”





Go Flames Go!

In memory of Scorch. May your soul rest in eternal fire.

[Poe969]

This'll be a good test for both teams. The Flames are at the beginning of the rebuild but the preds seem to be a little further in. A lot of people have the preds pegged as a pretty bad team but this will be a good indication of how these teams will do this year.

[NewFan]

Hoping for a win tonight!
Tomorrow against Chigago - Hard to win /b2b/
Next 2 against Blue Jackets & Jets. Hoping a win and OTL.
After long trip 0.5 would be not bad.

[FBI]

A little disappointed that setoguchi gets another start instead of a call up but they've been crappy in addy too.

Glad Ramo gets the start.

[bubbsy]

hope the flames come out better than they have in any of the first 3 games thus far, has been a relatively disappointing effort unfortunately.

Also, i don't see anything wrong in giving gaudreau a game off here and there to get an upstairs view on the game. Thought he's looked a bit tentative (have only watched about the last 1.5 games, none of the nuck game).

[Yamer]

I was lucky last week that the SN 360 game was shown on SN1, but not this time.

First game in a handful of years that I cannot watch legally. Thanks, Rogers.

[442scotty]

Expecting a boring defensive snoozefest courtesy of Nashville.. but hoping for some offence

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Expecting a boring defensive snoozefest courtesy of Nashville.. but hoping for some offence

Its not Barry Trotz's team anymore. Laviolette runs the show now, and D isn't really his thing.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Yamer

I was lucky last week that the SN 360 game was shown on SN1, but not this time.

First game in a handful of years that I cannot watch legally. Thanks, Rogers.

Pay for the channel and stop crying already

[codynw]

How much does SN360 cost? I already have it and didn't even realize it costed extra.

edit: Apparently it doesn't cost more? Shaw says it's part of their basic cable.

[Yamer]

Success! I just found it's being aired on the SN1 Flames/Companion channel.

Argh, I so just want to blame Rogers for something...ANYTHING!

Originally Posted by Tyler

Pay for the channel and stop crying already

Get bent.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by codynw

How much does SN360 cost? I already have it and didn't even realize it costed extra.

edit: Apparently it doesn't cost more? Shaw says it's part of their basic cable.

$10 per month on Shaw.

EDIT: I have the basic cable package and it isn't included. After I called to see how much it would be to add it the rep said I could purchase the extra sports package (which it is in) for an additional $10 per month.

[stemit14]

Hoping Johnny can get some points tonight. We know laviolette is very aware of how good gaudreau is so he may be having his team pay extra close attention to him. Hopefully Johnny battles through it.

[CsInMyBlood]

I wish Hartley would stick Gaudreau with Backlund and Byron.

I understand Backlund and Byron play against the opposing teams top line, but with the defensive abilities of Backs and Byron and the puck handling skills of all three of them, I would believe that the opposing team would have trouble ever getting puck possession. I really don't think Gaudreau would look out of place with those guys at all.

Watching the first games, it seems like a huge waste of Johnny's talent to have him playing with Joe Colborne and Mason Raymond. Give him some guys with high hockey IQ and quick decision making. At least try it out on the PP!

I'm enjoying your GDT's so far Cali, keep up the nice work.

[Travis Munroe]

^ I too would like to see Johny mixed up with some different guys.
Was kind of hoping to see Gratts draw in against an old team but looking at Nsh line up, it appears there is no need for a true enforcer.

[Yrebmi]

I am surprised there is another team with a worse PK then ours has been. I hope they were able to figure it out better. Having a "truculent" team philosophy back fires if you cannot kill the odd penalty.

GFG

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

I am surprised there is another team with a worse PK then ours has been. I hope they were able to figure it out better. Having a "truculent" team philosophy back fires if you cannot kill the odd penalty.

GFG

Carolina PK%: 50%
Calgary PK%: 54%

We're pretty close to being the worst, and I am shocked that there are several teams below the 60% mark. Still early in the season obviously.

[MissTeeks]

Derek Wills‏@Fan960Wills8m8 minutes ago
#Flames projected forwards vs. #Predators:
Hudler-Monahan-Setoguchi
Glencross-Backlund-Byron
Raymond-Colborne-Gaudreau
Bollig-Stajan-Bouma

Derek Wills‏@Fan960Wills7m7 minutes ago
#Flames projected defence vs. #Predators:
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Engelland
Smid-Wideman
Goaltenders: Ramo Hiller

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Derek Wills‏@Fan960Wills8m8 minutes ago
#Flames projected forwards vs. #Predators:
Hudler-Monahan-Setoguchi
Glencross-Backlund-Byron
Raymond-Colborne-Gaudreau
Bollig-Stajan-Bouma

Derek Wills‏@Fan960Wills7m7 minutes ago
#Flames projected defence vs. #Predators:
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Engelland
Smid-Wideman
Goaltenders: Ramo Hiller

Confirms the lines I posted. Thanks!

[IntenseFan]

4-2 Predators. :-(