[GDT] Flames vs. Red Wings, 7:30 pm, SN

[Cali Panthers Fan]

*there is a lack of quality photos between these teams in recent years*


Flames: 21-16-3, 45 points, 5th in the Pacific, 9th in the West, 16th in the NHL

Red Wings: 21-10-9, 51 points, 3rd in the Atlantic, 5th in the East, 9th in the NHL


Well, it's been 4 days since the Flames have taken the ice for a game and they're in the exact same position in the standings, which is not bad all things considered. Most of the teams with games in hand have now caught up on the schedule and the Flames are still just 2 points out of a playoff spot as we speak. There's still 42 games left and the Flames are right in the mix of playoff teams in a very tough Western Conference. I don't think anyone could have predicted that, nor do I think anyone could/should be upset at the current state of affairs. It's going to be a slugfest in the 2nd half to get into the playoffs. Colorado and Dallas both have solid winning records in their last 10 games, and nobody ahead of the Flames is losing enough to be overtaken. Even teams like Edmonton have found some competitive swagger again after being the butt of jokes for the first half of the year. The Flames will likely have to go on several more 4 game winning streaks, like the one that was just snapped with a 2-1 loss to a very good team in the New York Islanders, if they want to stay in the race in the 2nd half.

So in tonight comes the Detroit Red Wings to face a very rested Flames squad. So rested in fact that the Flames are finally healthy for the first time since the beginning of the season (and even then nobody was 100%). Backlund and Smid are still likely to be decided today after the morning skate, but all signs point to Backlund returning to the lineup. No moves have been made yet roster-wise, but the odds are on both Potter and Granlund being returned to Adirondack. Mason Raymond is likely to return to the lineup and David Jones looks to be the odd man out after some lackluster play his last few games. No idea yet on who will sit between Diaz or Engelland, but odds are it will be Diaz IF Smid returns, only because of the left handed situation on defense. It's unlikely that Smid gets back in the lineup until his conditioning is at a very high level because the play of the 3rd pairing has been pretty solid of late. Ramo is the confirmed starter for the Flames. Mrazek is the confirmed starter for Detroit.

The Red Wings are fresh off a tightly contested 4-2 victory over Edmonton last night that was closer than they would have liked. Thomas Jurco suffered a back injury in that game and will be out of the lineup tonight against Calgary. It's kind of a funny thing, when I first looked at the lineup for tonight I figured they're likely missing a lot of players because it looked so thin, but nope. That is pretty much the roster they've had all year and are firmly in a playoff spot in the East. You look at their individual production and it isn't world beating. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are good, both with nearly a PPG production level, and there is decent secondary contribution, but it comes by committee. The defense isn't intimidating, but everyone does their job and they play a trademark Babcock strong team defensive game. 3rd in shots against per game, and top 10 in shots for per game. 12th in goals per game (tied with the Flames) and 6th in goals against per game. They match the Flames in 5 on 5 play with a 1.10 F/A ratio. They have the 2nd best power play in the entire league (went 3 for 6 last night). They have the 4th best penalty kill as well. If there was ever any doubt that Mike Babcock is the best coach in the NHL, well look at the numbers above and the roster below and tell me that isn't exceptional. I don't blame the Leafs for wanting to go all in on acquiring him.


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

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Diaz-Engelland

Ramo


Red Wings
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Abdelkader
Tatar-Sheahan-Nyquist
Franzen-Helm-Weiss
Miller-Glendening-Andersson

Ericsson-Kronwall
Quincey-DeKeyser
Smith-Ouellet

Mrazek



Go Flames Go!!!

[Finger Cookin]

Sounds like this could come down to special teams, the Flames will need to be disciplined and capitalize on their power-play opportunities.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Here's hoping Backlund finishes the game on the 2nd line! Also want to see Gaudreau take the puck away from Datsuk.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Sounds like this could come down to special teams, the Flames will need to be disciplined and capitalize on their power-play opportunities.

I think it will actually come down to how many penalties the Flames take. 2nd ranked PP against the 27th ranked penalty kill. And we all know what kind of preferential treatment the Red Wings get from the referees.

[Caged Great]

Here's an interesting one.

Of each team's top 8 scorers, only Monahan and Kronwall were selected in the first round. The Flames next 3 leaders also were not taken in the first round.

19 players between them and only two 1st rounders.

[Street Pharmacist]

Didn't Edmonton have the most first rounders on its roster on opening day? I seem to remember a few mentions of that when we played them at the beginning of the season

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Ugh, this game. Is this the one where Steve Begin suddenly had an all-world game right at the end of the lockout-shortened season and possibly cost us a chance at Seth Jones?

[Imported_Aussie]

Flames need to start well, take the game to the Wings and not take penalties. The Flames PK % is low, but they don't take anywhere near as many penalties as they used to. Avoid taking penalties, hope for few/no phantom Red Wing gift penalties, then they can win.
Start taking penalties, or let the Wings get the jump on them, they are toast. The Flames have had a lot of comebacks, but a coach like Babcock knows how to ice a game

[ForeverFlameFan]

I hope Raymond/Backlund/Byron have a good game, Raymond and Byron have been cold as of late, hopefully Backs can get them going.

[the2bears]

Been too long without a game

[btimbit]

A game? I forget what those are, it's been so long.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

9 Overtime Losses, damn.. Safe to say the Flames are okay with this game going to extra time.

[TheDebaser]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Ugh, this game. Is this the one where Steve Begin suddenly had an all-world game right at the end of the lockout-shortened season and possibly cost us a chance at Seth Jones?

*got us Monahan

[Muffins]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

9 Overtime Losses, damn.. Safe to say the Flames are okay with this game going to extra time.

Just don't let Nyquist hold on to the puck for 30 seconds in OT and you're golden.

[Ozy_Flame]

Five day breaks really get me annoyed - especially since they just had time off for Xmas.

First world problems - I know.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Five day breaks really get me annoyed - especially since they just had time off for Xmas.

First world problems - I know.

3 games in 4 nights and then back to another lengthy break.. Thank you NHL!

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames Bob Hartley tells @fan960lou that @mbacklund11 will decide after morning skate if he'll play vs. #RedWings tonight. #DETvsCGY

[codynw]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames Bob Hartley tells @fan960lou that @mbacklund11 will decide after morning skate if he'll play vs. #RedWings tonight. #DETvsCGY

So if he plays, I imagine Granlund gets sent down?

[Scoutski]

Excited for this one, the next 10 games or so will set up expectations for the rest of the season. Getting some wins against detroit, vancouver and the california teams will be absolutely massive for us.

Go Flames Go!

[bc-chris]

i was talking with one of the guys from my mens hockey team last night after our game and asked him if he wanted to come over this evening for some "not so hot" wings and watch the game. his reply was, 'oh yea, detroit plays calgary tomorrow night - they were trailing the oilers earlier this evening - i wonder if they were able to come back?' my reply was,' come on, they're playing the oilers - i can guarantee detroit got the w!!' we both laughed then checked the score on his phone - yup... the oilers blew it! ha! ha!

GO FLAMES GO!!!!