Next 5 games, good challenge for this club - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Camronius · 11-16-2014, 08:34 AM

Pretty tough 5 game stretch coming up, with a game ~every 2 days. By no means will I hang the team's season success on the next 5, however, now that they have exceeded expectations, and are pushing the playoff dialogue, the next 5 should be a good measuring stick.

As bodies become healthy I'm curious how it affects the dynamic of the team. From my perspective the flames have been exponentially better since many of the call-ups. Does success/failure over this difficult stint make it an easier or harder decision of who sits and who plays?

The depth in the A doesn't seem to be affected at this point, and I selfishly would love somehow for Poirier to get a cup of coffee this season. Can we rely on consistency from such a young group, and does that force a trade or waive of some of our vet assets?

Gonna continue to be interesting.....

TUE NOV 18, 2014
ANAHEIM
CALGARY
9:00 PM ET

THU NOV 20, 2014
CHICAGO
CALGARY
9:00 PM ET

SAT NOV 22, 2014
NEW JERSEY
CALGARY
10:00 PM ET

TUE NOV 25, 2014
CALGARY
ANAHEIM
10:00 PM ET

WED NOV 26, 2014
CALGARY
SAN JOSE
10:30 PM ET

StrykerSteve · 11-16-2014, 08:55 AM

I agree, if they play above .500 in this stretch, this is a playoff team.

Salt Water Cowboy #10 · 11-16-2014, 08:57 AM

Good points. Last year the team did well when the young guys came up too. Can't be a coincidence. They are so fast. But it will be interesting to see them play against the bigger skilled teams. Not sure what management will do. A few hard decisions to make for sure. It's been a pretty entertaining season so far. I'm skeptical they can stay this consistent with all the young guys in the line up. But it doesn't look like they are going to slow down at this point. Next 5 games will be great to watch. Hartley must be a jack Adams favorite at this point

StrykerSteve · 11-16-2014, 08:58 AM

Should also add, too much depth is never a bad thing. Trading people out of town because the current group is playing well, is a dangerous game. Injuries will always continue to happen and having the ability to insert a difference maker into the lineup is the difference between the good and the bad teams.

keenan87 · 11-16-2014, 08:59 AM

I am hoping for 1/2 wins against Anaheim, 1/2 wins against Chicago/San Jose, and a win against the Devils.

3 wins out of 5 games for 6/10 points

Gaskal · 11-16-2014, 09:04 AM

I'm just hoping against hope that we beat the tar out of the Ducks Tuesday 7-2.

Finger Cookin · 11-16-2014, 09:13 AM

I'm kind of expecting the adrenaline and enthusiasm from at least some of the call-ups to fade soon. It sounds like Ferland and Colborne are closest to returning, but with Jones missing the end of the game last night he might be out again. One or two forwards may need to be returned to the AHL in the next week or two. I expect Reinhart and Ferland will be the first to go, but the next few games will have some weight on that as well.

Jooris and Granlund have made cases to have permanent spots on this team. I can't imagine Gaudreau being sent down this season as things currently stand.

Out of the next 20 games that take us to the end of the calendar year, 11 are against Pacific Division rivals and 15 are against Western Conference teams. Things are about to pick up.

kyuss275 · 11-16-2014, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I'm kind of expecting the adrenaline and enthusiasm from at least some of the call-ups to fade soon. It sounds like Ferland and Colborne are closest to returning, but with Jones missing the end of the game last night he might be out again. One or two forwards may need to be returned to the AHL in the next week or two. I expect Reinhart and Ferland will be the first to go, but the next few games will have some weight on that as well.

Jooris and Granlund have made cases to have permanent spots on this team. I can't imagine Gaudreau being sent down this season as things currently stand.

Out of the next 20 games that take us to the end of the calendar year, 11 are against Pacific Division rivals and 15 are against Western Conference teams. Things are about to pick up.

I agree with everything you wrote. I didn't think it was a possibility, but if Sven can continue to play the way he has the last 2 games, before injured players come back, he will be making a big case to stay up also. As of now, the Sven- Jooris-Byron line should not be broken up.

Also i really think the flames need to extend Byron at the end of the season. He is a perfect 3rd line energy guy. Don't care if he is small.

FlameZilla · 11-16-2014, 09:31 AM

We need Ferland and Colborne against the California teams. It would be very lucky if they both happened to be healthy in time for this stretch of games.

Still no word on David Jones?

DeluxeMoustache · 11-16-2014, 09:40 AM

I am sure there is a Starbucks somewhere near Poirier. Send him a gift card.

DazzlinDino · 11-16-2014, 09:42 AM

As long as this team takes it one game at a time they should be fine.The good thing about playing good teams in this stretch is learning how to win. Definitely going to need to continue with solid efforts and contributions from everyone.

Gaudfather · 11-16-2014, 10:02 AM

Connor McDavid sweepstakes winner: Calgary. This is dependent, naturally, on the Flames winning the newly weighted draft lottery, but we expect them to have the best chance to do so. While they may have a bright future, their kiddie corps has a whole lotta learning to do. The Sabres are a close second. Or 29th.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/an...e-predictions/

This is what Jason Kay wrote back in September. Well Anaheim is about to meet our "kiddie corps" up close and personal and i don't think they are going to like what they find.

Bob Hartley's mantra in the pre-game against the Sens was "speed and hunger" that's how he wants the Flames to play. That's exactly what Anaheim can expect on Tues nite.

PlayfulGenius · 11-16-2014, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keenan87

I am hoping for 1/2 wins against Anaheim, 1/2 wins against Chicago/San Jose, and a win against the Devils.

3 wins out of 5 games for 6/10 points

If they manage 6pts in those games, they'll still be on pace for 103 pt season... They could fade off that mark and still be in the playoffs...

... I'm becoming a believer ...but if they get those 6pts, I think most of the hockey world will become believers as well.

stemit14 · 11-16-2014, 11:17 AM

Love how every player on this team plays a major role in pulling out a win... Whether they are on the scoresheet or not. At this point... guys like bouma, jooris, and Byron have become everything you could want in depth players. On top of that, Baertschi is finding his game and will soon no doubt be getting some powerplay time. He adds some great depth skill to the team right now. That pass he made to Byron was unreal... On and off his stick instantly and it landed perfectly on Byron's stick at top speed.

Then you look at Monahan... Wasn't on the scoresheet but had a great game again last night. He's become so strong on the puck and he's shutting down other teams' top lines. Will be a huge test for him against the beastly top lines of the west over the next few games.

edslunch · 11-16-2014, 11:20 AM

Hiller will steal one against his old team

Hemi-Cuda · 11-16-2014, 11:34 AM

I really think Hiller will have something to prove to the Anaheim organization. Would love to see him play like a man possessed for those two games, and he'll probably have to for the Flames to ever get a win at the Honda Center

Gaudfather · 11-16-2014, 11:36 AM

Ducks are 4-2-4 in their last 10 games. So if we can keep it close and/or get it to overtime we certainly have a chance at a win.

Iniggywetrust · 11-16-2014, 11:39 AM

We will truly see an emergence of our top defensive pairing over the next 5 games. The top teams usually have one very strong defensemen. Right now we gave two. We have strong depth on the back end to handle those top teams offensive depth. That along with lights out goaltending and relentless puck pursuit and back checking from our forwards will help the Flames show they are amongst the top teams in the league

flamesfever · 11-16-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Also i really think the flames need to extend Byron at the end of the season. He is a perfect 3rd line energy guy. Don't care if he is small.

He's been one of my favourite players during the past year. It will be a sad day if they ever let him go.

Vinny01 · 11-16-2014, 11:53 AM

This is an interesting stretch and if we come out with a good record it is right around that US Thanksgiving where teams find out what they really are.

The young guys have been great. Jooris has shocked me the most and I have been pleased with both Granlund and Sven's play. At this stage I don't see how Granlund is not on the team permanently. I think waiving Seto is how that spot will be created. The thing is if Sven continues his play along with Jooris a trade may need to be made to keep these kids in the lineup