[GDT] Flames vs. Blackhawks, 7 p.m., SNF

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Spoiler!

Flames: 12-6-2, 3rd in the division, 4th conference, 7th league.

Blackhawks: 10-7-1, 4th in the division, 9th conference, 15th league.

I'm not going to even front, Hiller was the only reason we won that last game with his amazing 49 save performance.

I'm sure the Blackhawks are ready for revenge tonight, but this is quite a different team from the one they faced early in the season. No longer ravaged by the flu, and getting solid performances from nearly everyone on the roster, the Flames have won 3 in a row and 7 of their last 9 to pull within a point of the Ducks for the division lead and also the Conference lead. Hiller helped the Flames pull out a big win on Tuesday against the Ducks, making some big saves especially in the shootout. This is great news to see Hiller back on his game, after struggling in his last 4 or 5 games. I'm sure the 'Hawks are hoping to see the Hiller that was prone to some soft goals instead of the guy that stoned them in their last meeting. The Flames are still scoring goals, with 3 in the last game that all came in the 3rd period, pushing their goal total in that frame to 27 (1st in the league), and earning their 4th win when trailing after 2 periods (also 1st in the league).

The Blackhawks also score a lot in the 3rd (20 goals) but also score a lot in the first (21 goals), but a particular sore spot is their lack of production in the middle frame with just 6 goals so far this year. This is also a team that struggled to score for stretches this year, but seem to have found their offensive attack of late, but still have been inconsistent this year. In their wins this year, they have scored an average of 3.9 GF/G. When they lose, it drops down to 1.25 GF/G, keeping their overall offensive production at 2.67 GF/G (15th in the league). This lack of offense is puzzling when you consider they get an unreal amount of shots per game (37.9, 1st in the league). However, the 'Hawks have been rock solid in their own zone and in net. They sport the league's 2nd best GA/G at just 2.00, and they own the league's bet penalty kill at 92.3%. Crawford has been solid when tested, with a 1.88 GAA and a .929 Sv%. The Flames will have to work very hard to score against a Blackhawks team that controls the play a lot, keeps their shots against down, and has a rock solid team defense and good goaltending.

The Flames young players have done well to add offense in the absence of so many veteran forwards. Granlund has quietly produced, scoring 8 points in his 9 games so far. Jooris has been rock solid all over the ice and has chipped in with 7 points in his 13 games. Even Baertschi, despite some inconsistent play, has 3 assists in 7 games. Their strong play is essential, as the Flames are going to be without Stajan for most of the season, and Backlund's status is completely unknown. Colborne and Raymond are still slowly mending an unlikely to see the ice anytime soon. Ferland is getting closer to game action, but likely a couple games away from seeing the ice. Even David Jones, who had been heating up and playing a strong game, is day-to-day with an upper body injury (just pray it's not his shoulder). Kris Russell is also nursing a lower body injury and may not play in this game either.

The good news is that both Smid and Diaz stepped up their game in the absence of Russell. Smid went from his season average of around 15 minutes to over 20 minutes in the last game, and was a solid +2. Diaz also played 15 minutes, well over his season average of 12:17, and added some useful minutes on the PP. They will need all these guys playing a solid game again as the 'Hawks are ready to begin their annual "circus trip", and are likely looking for revenge after such a tough loss to the Flames last time.


Flames
Glencross-Monahan-Setoguchi
Gaudreau-Granlund-Hudler
Baertschi-Jooris-Byron
Bollig-Reinhart-Bouma

Giordano-Brodie
Smid-Wideman
Diaz-Engelland

Hiller

Blackhawks
Saad-Toews-Hossa
Versteeg-Richards-Kane
Bickell-Shaw-Carcillo
Nordstrom-Kruger-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Hjalmarsson-Oduya
Rundblad-Rozsival

Crawford


Go Flames Go!!!

[locsofblu]

Go flames go. 3-2 ot win. John G with the trick.

[lanny9]

Hopefully we don't get outplayed like the last game, let's keep their shots down boys!

[Northendzone]

so, mr litmus is back in town for another test......

[Mister Yamoto]

A huge 4 point game again the Blackhawks who are currently the ninth place team. A chance to be in the playoffs by 7 points. Biggest game of the season so far IMO.

Flames win in OT.

[JJ1532]

When the Hawks get rolling, they are deadly, but at the moment, something seems off, especially on the road. They have a 3-4-0 record away from United Centre and 2 of those wins came via a shootout. Big big chance for us to beat them, especially with Kane away from Toews, Hossa off form and them missing Sharp.

Might well need another stunning display from Hiller. Go Flames go!

[codynw]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

When the Hawks get rolling, they are deadly, but at the moment, something seems off, especially on the road. They have a 3-4-0 record away from United Centre and 2 of those wins came via a shootout. Big big chance for us to beat them, especially with Kane away from Toews, Hossa off form and them missing Sharp.

Might well need another stunning display from Hiller. Go Flames go!

Why does everyone say this like it's weird that they're not together? Kane rarely plays with Toews at even strength. Their top line is typically Sharp / Toews / Hossa.

[debil]

Statistically we lose but who knows. Would be fun to read it here tomorrow if we won.

[Gaudfather]

I think the Blackhawks find a much tougher opponent tonite than what they met on Oct 15th.

(i) we are playing in our barn
(ii) our rookies have their game legs now
(iii) Monahan was not a beast in early October
(iv) overall team belief in each other is in a much better place
(v) calgaryboy is at the game

Game on and GFG.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by codynw

Why does everyone say this like it's weird that they're not together? Kane rarely plays with Toews at even strength. Their top line is typically Sharp / Toews / Hossa.

my mistake, I just got the sense that they typically played together on the same line when 5-on-5. Hey, you learn something new everyday, haha.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

my mistake, I just got the sense that they typically played together on the same line when 5-on-5. Hey, you learn something new everyday, haha.

It's not just you, everyone seems to talk about Kane and Toews like they're some kind inseperable duo, like Getzlaf/Perry, but they rarely play together, haha.

I think Kane has been playing with Richards and Versteeg lately, and Saad is on the top line in place of Sharp.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

(v) calgaryboy is at the game

Blackhawks don't have a prayer then

[skudr248]

God damn this start to our season has gotten me so excited, it's been so long since I have actually gotten excited for a game, let alone to watch one on T.V... even yesterday I couldn't wait till tonight. Hope this keeps up and we win again tonight!

GO FLAMES GO! 3-1 Flames, (Byron, Brodie & Gaudreau with the goals, and Hiller comes up big)

[Cflames_12.5]

4-3 Flames. Bouma, Jooris, JH and Sven with the goals.

[Cflames_12.5]

Johnny Hockey will have a huge game since I just trade him in my pool. Never fails.

[JonDuke]

5-3 Flames.
Johnny G comes one shy of the trick.

[josef]

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions 24 Min.Vor 24 Minuten
Will be interesting to see Michael Ferland back in #Flames lineup tonight. Want to see what he can do.

looks like ferland is back?!?!

[ForeverFlameFan]

I would love to see Ferland in and Seto out.

[Traditional_Ale]

Mr. Litmus! Send me a dream!
Turn the goal-light red so I make some green!

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by josef

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions 24 Min.Vor 24 Minuten
Will be interesting to see Michael Ferland back in #Flames lineup tonight. Want to see what he can do.

looks like ferland is back?!?!

Oh man, I hope this is true.