[GDT] Flames @ Penguins, 1 pm, SN

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Flames: 26-34-4, 56 points, 7th in Pacific, 14th in West, 29th in NHL

Penguins: 33-22-8, 74 points, 4th in Metropolitan, 8th in West, 15th in NHL.


This excruciatingly long road trip continues for the struggling Flames. Losers of 7 in a row, and 10 of their last 11, the Flames continue to plummet in the standings, now sitting 29th in the league. It's baffling that a team with this amount of talent is playing such terrible hockey these days, but there it is. The last loss against Buffalo stung, as the two teams were quite even through 2 periods, but the Flames somehow managed to lose the game yet again. Despite getting good performances from replacement players like Ortio, Hathaway, Jokipakka, and Nakladal, the Flames as a group simply can't seem to get the job done these days, meaning that the regulars on this club are to be blamed for the recent slump. If there's any pride left in this group, they'll find a way to get a win or two soon, but I somehow doubt it.

As for the Penguins, they've been playing well of late, going 13-6-1 over their last 20 games, putting them in a good spot to make the playoffs. That has largely been because of the improved play of one Sidney Crosby (of course), for as he goes, so do the Penguins. Crosby has 27 points over his last 20 games, putting him back into the top 10 scorers in the league (7th).

However, one point of comfort for Flames fans is that despite Crosby's tear, he still sits 2 points behind Johnny Gaudreau for 6th place in NHL scoring. In fact, despite the Flames' struggles, Gaudreau has continued to put up points at a regular pace, and just before going pointless in his last 2 games, Gaudreau had an 8 game point streak. Gaudreau is actually only 5 points back of Tyler Seguin for 3rd in the league, while playing 3 fewer games. If he were to go on a bit of a hot streak, he might end up 3rd in league scoring this year, which is of great comfort to know that we have one of the best offensive players in the league going forward.

And just one more point, the top 3 scorers for the Flames are Gaudreau, Monahan, and Brodie, which essentially completes the transition from the old guard to the new guard. This is their team now. While Giordano will remain the veteran captain, it really is on these young players to put this team on their back moving forward. I hope they understand that fact and come to camp next year ready to be the leaders for this team.

As for the game today, meh, whatever. It's an afternoon game in Pittsburgh, a place that we have struggled mightily over the years. Everything about this game spells loss, so of course the Flames will find a way to win.


Roster Notes: Still no word on Smid, so I'm assuming he's done for the year, and maybe even his career this time. All signs point to Ortio getting the start after Hiller let the team down again in the 3rd last game. As for the Penguins, Kevin Porter is done for the season after ankle surgery was performed following his injury last game. Both Beau Bennett and Eric Fehr returned to practice yesterday, but are still a while away from returning to game action. As a result, the Penguins only have 11 healthy forwards for the game today, so unless they call someone up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, you might see one of the defensemen play forward. Could that player be Justin Schultz? Stay tuned to find out. Fleury is the likely starter for the Penguins.


Flames
Gaudreau-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Monahan-Colborne
Bouma-Backlund-Hathaway
Bollig-Stajan-Jooris

Giordano-Brodie
Engelland-Hamilton
Jokipakka-Nakladal

Ortio


Penguins
Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel
Wilson-Bonino-Rust
Kuhnhackl-Cullen-? Schultz?

Maatta-Letang
Daley-Dumoulin
Cole-Pouliot

Fleury




Go Flames Go!!!!!! ...I guess...

[Samonadreau]

Thanks Cali, as usual great write up.

Afternoon game against Crosby.... this could get ugly.

[killer_carlson]

Justin Schultz as forward?

Intriguing!

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Justin Schultz as forward?

Intriguing!

Problem is even if he's forward material he's not 4th line material - no compete and not physical - soft as a pillow. I don't get it.

[killer_carlson]

his skating and hands put him on a top 2 line.

Paul Reinhart did it for us - but his hockey IQ was off the charts.

[keenan87]

I think the Penguins are going to come out hungry after that last game in Calgary. I am predicting a 7-4 loss but hopefully the younger players have a good game.

[metal_geek]

Afternoon games are almost a write off before the flames even take the ice. No idea what the score is gonna be but I'm thinking the flames PK stays strong and only gives up 2 goals on 11 chances.

[You Need a Thneed]

18-0 Flames

Gaudreau, Monahan, and Bollig all with 5 goals.
Ortio with one
Bennett with the other two.

[calgaryblood]

3-0 Flames. Ortio with 35 saves.

[Puppet Guy]

These boots were made for stompin', and they're undergoing the all-important "penguin test":

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[malcolmk14]

5-1 Penguins, Crosby with 4 points. :-(

[heep223]

Flames kill 15 of 17 penalties and go 1 for 1 on the PP. Lose 2-1.

GFG

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Let the suck continue.

[locsofblu]

Just lose baby! This team needs a a top 3 pick.

[devo22]

losing streak, matinee game, Crosby ... yeah, this one could get ugly.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by devo22

losing streak, matinee game, Crosby ... yeah, this one could get ugly.

Perfect recipe for a win

[Toonage]

Love that Crosby/Gaudreau pic. Want to make that into a big poster. As for today...looking forward to a solid effort but this is a tough task.

[Samiz]

Odds are stacked against us heavily in this one. 5-4 Flames in OT!

[Drak]

Flames lose 4-1?

[Table 5]

Crosby was completely non-existent the last time the Flames played the Penguins. I have a feeling this one is going to be different.