[GDT] Flames @ Red Wings. 5:30pm MT. SNW

[sureLoss]

Coming off a night were David 'freakin' Schlemko was the hero, the Flames are back to it in a back to back situation in the Motor City

From nhl.com:

Season series: The Red Wings defeated the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Jan. 7 at Scotiabank Saddledome. Flames center Mikael Backlund and Red Wings forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader each had a goal and an assist.

Flames team scope: Calgary is 3-2-0 on its season-high seven-game road trip after a 4-3 shootout win against the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Goalie Karri Ramo made 34 saves through overtime, then denied seven of eight Boston shooters in the tiebreaker. Ramo has started five straight games, so Jonas Hiller might play in the second half of the back-to-back. Defenseman David Schlemko, who the Flames claimed off waivers from the Dallas Stars last weekend, scored the deciding goal. “[Coach Bob Hartley] just asked me, ‘Are you good at these things?’ And I told him I was 1-for-1,” Schlemko said, according to the Flames’ Twitter account. Forward David Jones sustained a lower-body injury in the first period and did not return. Forwards Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan each has scored in consecutive games; Monahan’s 23 goals lead the Flames, and Hudler’s 21 are second.

Red Wings team scope: The effects of Detroit’s six-game, 11-day Western Conference road trip were evident in its 2-1 overtime victory against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, when it was outshot 40-31. That fatigue carried into practice Thursday. “We weren’t real crisp today,” coach Mike Babcock told the Red Wings website. “We had a late game last night. I don’t think we had a ton of energy here today, but I expect our energy to be back and us to have no reason to [not] play a lot better than we did. We’ve got to tighten up our game again and get back to the level we need to be at.” One player who was fresh against New York was Zetterberg, who had two assists in 17:56 of ice time in his return to the lineup after missing four games because of a head injury. Defenseman Marek Zidlicky, acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils before the NHL Trade Deadline on Monday, scored the overtime winner. He played 17:44 and was second among Detroit defensemen with 2:28 of power-play time. Babcock, who said defenseman Jonathan Ericsson is banged up, will keep forwards Riley Sheahan, Gustav Nyquist and Stephen Weiss together despite not being pleased with his new third line’s performance against the Rangers. “They weren’t very good. Lots of us weren’t good though,” the coach told the Detroit Free Press. “We’ll see if it’s a line that can spend some time in the offensive zone. We’ll give it another try [Friday].”

Burning Questions to be answered soon

1. Does Ramo or Hiller start? Back to back games and 3 games in 4 nights when you include Sunday's game in Ottawa. Bruins game went to a 8 round shoot out and the Flames didn't get to their hotel till very early this morning.
2. Is David Jones good to go? Jones blocked a Dougie Hamilton shot last night. Struggled to get off the ice had a short shift after and didn't return. Perhaps an opportunity for Poirier to get some more ice time/responsibility as he gets bumped up off the 4th line.
3. Does Stajan or Ferland draw back in? Injury to David Jones and perhaps some line tweaking (i.e. Bollig) gets them back in.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

This is one of those teams that give the Flames fits. Always tough to beat, but especially tough this year, and playing in Detroit. Wings are a little tired and sloppy right now, so this game comes at a great time for the Flames.

p.s. Thanks everyone for filling in while I was away. There were some pretty nice write-ups while I was gone. I'll be back for the Ottawa game on Sunday.

[Igster]

Tough to decide who starts for this one. Ramo has been brilliant, but maybe the guy needs a night off. If I'm Hartley, do I start Hiller? Dunno. Glad I'm not the coach that has to make that decision.

Go Flames Go!

[Stay Golden]

Hiller should start. Ramo needs a rest especially after that shoot out. He has been a savior of sorts recently but he needs the rest.
Who knows Hiller might go on a string of great games now.
Its not like he hasn't proved that already a number of times before this season.
Lets not lose sight Hiller has 19 wins Ramo has 12.
Hiller has a 2.46 vs Ramo 2.43. Not much difference.
Hiller has a .913 to Ramo's .917 again not much difference

[mrkajz44]

I think Hiller will start just to due the workload of Ramo. Regardless of what happens, Ramo will play against OTT on Sunday.

Don't know why, but just feel a runaway on this one. Flames score a couple early and the game is never really close.

[Itse]

Going to be tough. Best way to play against Detroit is relentless forechecking, speed and physicality, but it's unlikely we can play that way (at least with any kind of consistency) after the Boston game.

I have faith in our group, but I won't be overly disappointed even if Detroit takes this one easily.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Prediction: More great hockey

[Robo]

gonna be hard to cone out with a win our guys are going to be tired especially our top 3 d and monahan

[Poe969]

5-2 Flames. Johnny keeps on rollin'

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

This is one of those teams that give the Flames fits. Always tough to beat, but especially tough this year, and playing in Detroit. Wings are a little tired and sloppy right now, so this game comes at a great time for the Flames.

p.s. Thanks everyone for filling in while I was away. There were some pretty nice write-ups while I was gone. I'll be back for the Ottawa game on Sunday.

Effin eh man

[Wood]

Detroit going for 24 straight seasons in the playoffs, unreal

[FeyWest]

I would run Ramo right now and Hiller in OTT, gives Ramo more of a relieved break, I just feel he's riding a wave of focus and excitement, play the hot hand is what I like, you've got the ball run with it and don't drop it.

It's gonna be a hard game I hope I can watch it.

[Puppet Guy]

Can't match the burning bear from yesterday, but I think this'll do nicely. Go Flames.

[polak]

I think we'll lose this one but lets hope they prove me wrong!

So hard to keep up this ridiculous pace that all the playoff bubble teams keep playing at.

[flambers]

Oh this one is a tough game, Flames lose this one 4-1.

With the 4th goal an empty netter.

Wonder if David Jones will be placed on the IR.

[kyuss275]

Hiller will probably start. Think he has to play his best game of the season to get the flames win. Hartley will need to use his bottom D more. Have to think the top 4 will be a bit fatigued from playing last night.

[Gaudfather]

Flames win in SO - pulling the Schlemko of course!

[868904]

Hope Staan and Ferland come in for Jones and Bollig. Need the fresh legs.

Same with the pairing of Schlemko and Diaz who barely played last night. hatlry needs to give that pairing more ice to save the top 4 from exhaustion,I think they can handle it.

[Gaskal]

Gio in the pressbox tonight all like:

[BigBrodieFan]

Hoping TJ has a great night in front of the Brodie clan and friends tonight in Detroit!! Go Flames Go!!!