[GDT] Flames @ Predators, 3 pm!, SNW

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Flames: 40-28-7, 87 points, 4th in the Pacific, 9th in the West, 16th in NHL.

Predators: 47-21-8, 102 points, 1st in the Central, 2nd in the West, 2nd in NHL, *clinched playoff berth.


The sphincter has loosened a little. The Wild did the Flames a huge favor yesterday by romping over the L.A. Kings 4-1 last night. These were the two hottest teams in the league meeting in crunch time, and it wasn't even close. Minnesota has now passed Chicago for 3rd in the Central division and are on pace for around 105 points. IIRC, they were as low as 12th in the West at one point. Insane.

So today the Flames have to make up for that game, which they were in through 40 minutes thanks to the stellar play from Ramo. Minnesota just didn't let up and eventually broke through, scoring 3 in the 3rd to win easily. The Flames just never created enough pressure to be deemed "dangerous". They handled the Flames easily, but I don't feel so bad watching what they did to the Kings last night. Yes, it wasn't the best game from the Flames, but that happens. The key is how you respond. I think today is a good opportunity for them to find their work ethic again playing a Predators team that they've already beaten twice in two games this year, although they did play both of those games in October. Still, they've handled this team better than the Blues or Ducks this year, and they were arguably icing a worse roster at the time, Giordano not withstanding. There's a few other factors in the Flames' favor. The Predators clinched a playoff spot with a win over Washington yesterday. We all know that no matter how much you might try not to, relaxation often occurs after you clinch. It's also a back-to-back situation for the Predators, so the Flames should have more energy. However, it's a dreaded afternoon game, and we all know how sloppy and odd those games can be for the Flames (or any team really).

The Flames offense will be in tough again as the Preds own the 4th best GA/G of any team, just ahead of both L.A. and Minnesota in that category. There's a possibility that Rinne will not play simply for rest reasons. He's play the last 11 straight games, not getting a day off since March 3rd, and it's an afternoon game after an evening game on a back-to-back, plus they just clinched. If there were ever a time to rest your goalie, it would be today. Not saying they will, but it would be nice...so of course it won't happen. Still, it's doubtful you'll see Weber, and while the Preds still have a very good defense group, that's a big hole to fill. Weber is 5th in the NHL in TOI at 26:22, but they still have Josi who is right ahead of him at 26:27. Interestingly, T.J. Brodie is 11th with 25:09, and the injured Giordano ranks 10th at 25:10.

Which brings me to my next thought: The Flames desperately need to tighten up defensively. It's becoming obvious that the defense is simply wearing out. The top 4 have logged a lot of minutes, and Engelland is playing way above his head on the 2nd pair. The forwards for the Flames need to do a better job of shutting down the opposition and create a transition game again. The Flames have given up 4 goals in 2 straight games, and if not for Ramo it could have been a LOT more than that. The good news is that Nashville is middle of the pack in GF/G, and have the 26th ranked power play. Forsberg is their co-leader in points with 59, along with our favorite Flame-killer, Mike Ribeiro. Their next two top point getters are Roman Josi and Shea Weber. They have 4 20 goal scorers, but few playmakers on the team. The Predators play a simple offensive game, with very little lateral play. As long as the Flames keep the front of the net clear, they should be able to control their own zone well today.

Still, they've won 4 straight and are 6-3-1 in their last 10. They're a very good team, and the Flames will have to play a tough and composed road game if they're going to get 2 points today, which they desperately need. This team can still afford one more regulation loss and still have very good odds at making the playoffs, but do they really want to use that up today? No, they need this win, if for no other reason than purely restoring belief in themselves.

Playoff odds: Up 5.2% to 51.7%. A win in regulation increases our chances by 13.6% putting us around 65%. That same result drops the Kings' chances by 6.2% and drops them down to roughly 64%. That would make it a dead heat down the stretch and whoever wins more in the next couple of weeks is in, especially in the lone game remaining between them. Pure, simple, exciting, terrifying...hockey.

Roster Notes: Markus Granlund missed practice with the flu, but is still possible for tonight's game, so pencil him in at center on the 3rd line, move Jooris over to RW and Colborne back to LW and drop Ferland out of the lineup if Granlund is ready. Hartley is on record saying the lineup is not set, so changes are possible. After a lengthy run from Ramo, Hiller gets the start today on the first of back to back games, giving Ramo an extra day of rest.

The Predators clinched a playoff spot yesterday and are now 3 points ahead of the Blues for 1st in the division. This means they might relax just a little and let some players rest up for the playoffs. They were without Shea Weber, James Neal, Matt Cullen, and Eric Nystrom yesterday with minor injuries. Even if Weber's close, I wouldn't be shocked if they were to continue to rest him and make sure he's 100% for the playoffs. For those same reasons and the back-to-back games, you have to figure that Rinne will also get a rest...or at least we can hope. The Predators can still ice a solid lineup without those injured players, so no need to rush them back.


Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Byron
Ferland-Jooris-Colborne
Raymond-Stajan-Jones

Russell-Wideman
Brodie-Engelland
Schlemko-Diaz

Hiller

Predators
Forsberg-Ribeiro-Smith
Wilson-Fisher-Stalberg
Santorelli-Jarnkrok-Arvidsson
Beck-Gaustad-Bourque

Josi-Jones
Eckholm-Franson
Ellis-Volchenkov

Rinne?





Go Flames Go!!!

[J79]

I have no doubt that this team will fight 'till the last second of the last game, but if we lose this one I don't see us competing for a spot in the last game.
A win against the Preds will be the momentum boost we desperatly need... And I think we will win this game!

Go Flames!

[Manhattanboy]

Pleasewinpleasewinpleasewinpleasewin.

[Tsawwassen]

Centre Ice channels for:
Sunday, March 23
Calgary at Nashville, 1500h Mountain
Flames feed in red


Shaw Cable 350 SD and HD
Shaw Direct 164 SD and HD--Classic lineup
Shaw Direct 464 SD and HD--Advance lineup

Bell - 430 SD 1455 HD
Telus Sat - same as Bell
Telus Optik - TBA

Rogers - 458 461 SD and HD
Source Cable - 458 461 SD 486 HD (HDS 15 and 18)
Eastlink - 458 461 SD and HD
Cogeco - 458 461 SD 489 492 HD

Westman - 803 804 SD 817 818 HD
MTS -835 837 SD 1835 1837 HD
Novus - 484***
Northwestel - 553 554 HD 563 564 SD***
Videotron - NA***



USA
Indemand - Game 4 SD Game HD4
Directv - 775 SD 775-1 HD
Dish - 577 SD 9545 HD Hopper Channel 475-05

Sirius Radio-- Siri Internet 926
XM Radio-- XM Internet 926
SXM Radio-- SXM Internet 926

[tvp2003]

Obviously two points are huge for the Flames. However, I hope Johnny also has a great game in a Calder "head-to-head" with Forsberg. We could really use a big night from that first line.

Also hope Ferland draws in so he can punch Volchenkov in his dirty, cheapshotting face.

[kyuss275]

Getting pretty close to must win territory . Nashville played yesterday and flames need to take advantage. Hope Hiller has something to prove after being on the bench for so long.

[transplant99]

Have a feeling this will be the Flames Waterloo.

Hopefully I am wrong but this whole last week/10 days has been leading to something like today.

the Flames relative lack of size is catching up to them in that some of the other teams around them are bigger and not wearing out as fast in the last month of grinding hockey....no one should be surprised though as this club has been awesome for most of the season...just look like its gonna be a bit short come April 13th.

[Freddy]

With the Flames desperately needing a spark of energy and secondary scoring; today is Byron's day to capitalize on at least 1 of his breakaways! Bouma - Backlund - Byron will be the difference makers....fingers crossed.

[Enoch Root]

Nice job on the pics, Cali. Especially getting 'the save' in there at the top!

[locsofblu]

Hope we win tonight!

[Heavy Jack]

I cant believe the doom/gloom approach some have started taking with this club after two straight losses of which we gained 1 point. We are a point out of the playoffs with lots of hockey left and a team that has shown a tremendous amount of courage and determination this year. I have complete faith that the Flames are gonna battle to the end of the year especially when they find themselves just 1 win out of a spot and with 2 games to finishes the year against the 2 teams they are battling against for those final two spots. GoFlamesGo should be the voice right now not well the Flames have been awesome but they are most likely done. Im pumped we are in spot that we are in as I know every single cp'er/flames fan is, lets have positive thoughts for the game tonight and going towards the playoffs though! We can do it!!!

[foshizzle11]

I agree with you Heavy Jack, I basically think those last 2 games will decide what happens and who is in. If the Flames can win both of those games, we are in the playoffs no matter what happens here on out, obviously we need a couple other wins but those games decide or fate.

I think they are due for a win today and Nashville hasn't been great lately, it is doable!

[TBone290]

"The sphincter..." you have my attention

[IgniteTheFlame]

Tonight is going to be quite the nailbiter, but man has this ever been some fun hockey to watch. After listening to the post-game interviews from the loss to Minny the other night, one has to believe the boys are going to come out playing some desperate hockey tonight. Very little room for error, but hoping for a big win tonight!

GFG!

[Erick Estrada]

This is going to be a tough game but I will be really disappointed if they don't have more energy than Friday night where they looked tired. They can't afford to lose this one with the Blues game being a likely loss.

[Squirt]

Nashville is on a four game winning streak, ripe for the picking!

[Mony]

Goooo Flames! We need to repeat again that the Predators are the second best club in the NHL. For whatever reason I have a good feeling about today, but there is no shame in a loss. However, this is about as close to must-win as one can get.

[Bingo]

Calgary could really use that top line coming alive again. Hard to pick on them, I think Monahan has 2 points in his last three games for example, but if they could reignite that run they were on the team would be in good shape.

Secondary scoring is key, don't get me wrong, but we don't really have primary scoring right now either!

As I said in that poll last week that almost got me lynched (breaking up the top line), they seem to dice up the weak teams consistently, but then struggle against the better teams (which makes sense).

Gaudreau has been blanked in 4 of his last 7 games (Min, Col (x2), St. Louis), while trashing the Flyers and Maple Leafs

[Mony]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Calgary could really use that top line coming alive again. Hard to pick on them, I think Monahan has 2 points in his last three games for example, but if they could reignite that run they were on the team would be in good shape.

Secondary scoring is key, don't get me wrong, but we don't really have primary scoring right now either!

As I said in that poll last week that almost got me lynched (breaking up the top line), they seem to dice up the weak teams consistently, but then struggle against the better teams (which makes sense).

Gaudreau has been blanked in 4 of his last 7 games (Min, Col (x2), St. Louis), while trashing the Flyers and Maple Leafs

That top line has incredible chemistry when it's turned on but I agree. Too easy to key in and shut it down.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Here's everything I know of for good luck.

Cars:

Spoiler!

Food:

Spoiler!

And finally Dancing:



This is all the superstition I have, so this should do the trick from a fan perspective. The rest is now all on the Boys on the Ice

GO FLAMES GO!