[GDT] Flames @ Hurricanes, 4 pm, SN

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Ok, someone help me out with photos. I couldn't find anything worth posting.


Flames: 21-21-3, 45 points, 6th in Pacific, 12th in West, 25th in NHL.

Hurricanes: 21-20-8, 50 points, 6th in Metropolitan, 12th in East, 22nd in NHL.

The Hurricanes continue to battle this season. After a pitiful start to the year, it looked early on like they were going to be in the conversation for a top 3 pick. However, after a stronger January so far going 5-3-3, they have pulled themselves within 5 points of a wild card spot. That being said, they'll have to leapfrog some teams to get in, but it's not entirely out of the question, similar to the Flames situation.

They'll have to get better goaltending though. Cam Ward has been getting the majority of the starts posting a respectable 2.45 GAA, but still only has a .905 SV%, and the Legend of Eddie Lack has been sub .900 and pushing 3 goals against per game. I can't speak to shot quality, but the Hurricanes only give up 26.4 Shots Against per game, ranking them 1st in the entire NHL! (surprised me too). Even though the personnel in Carolina isn't the strongest, it does make you wonder how they would be doing if their goaltending was at least league average.

However, they don't score much, ranking 5th worst in the NHL with 2.31 GF/G. A bright spot for their season has been the continued progression of Justin Faulk, who leads the team with 33 points including 14 goals. Unfortunately, because he plays top minutes and goes against the toughest competition without a strong partner, he also has a team worst -15. He's a little like Tyson Barrie in that respect. The Staals have also been strong as well, putting up a decent amount of points and being some of the stronger players defensively for the 'Canes. One has to wonder how long it will be until they're traded, as the Hurricanes are obviously looking to rebuild a little going forward.

The Flames come in with a solid road win over the hapless Blue Jackets. It was just their 7th road win of the year, and the Flames have the 2nd worst winning percentage on the road so far in the entire NHL. Guess who's worst. That's right, you guessed it, the no good Edmonton Oilers...on their way to yet another top 3 pick. If the Flames can finish this tr

The strong play of Gaudreau continues to lead the Flames offensively, still on a little more than a point per game pace, placing him 10th in NHL scoring. He could still use a little more help, and 19 year old Sam Bennett is providing that of late. He's been on quite the pace, scoring 8 goals over his last 5 games since he finally got the monkey off his back against San Jose. Not to be overlooked, Mikael Backlund also has 6 points over his last 5 games, primarily being Bennett's set up man. It's good to see what Backlund can do with a bonafide goal scorer on his wing since his game away from the puck is often strong.

And last but not least, Mark Giordano has continued his very strong play after an incredibly rough start to the season. He's now 2nd in team scoring behind Gaudreau after putting up 23 points in his last 23 games, and also playing at a +7 over that same time frame against the toughest competition. Let's hope he continues to lead this team the way he did so well last year.

Roster Notes: Ferland is out for today, but it's not considered serious and he should be back in the near future. Lance Bouma should be ready to go today. A roster move might be necessary, but it's likely that Ferland will be put on IR to accommodate Bouma. Ramo is the confirmed starter. The Canes will have gametime decisions on both Riley Nash and Brett Pesce. Cam Ward is out with a concussion, so Lack will start. Of course, James Wisniewski has been out all year with an ACL.


Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Jones
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Colborne-Granlund-Hudler
Bouma-Stajan-Bollig

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman

Ramo

Hurricanes
Versteeg-E. Staal-Lindholm
Nordstrom-J. Staal-Nestrasil
Skinner-Rask-Di Giuseppe
Gerbe-McClement-Nash?

Hainsey-Faulk
Liles-Slavin
Hanifin-Jordan

Lack




Go Flames Go!!!!!!

[Puppet Guy]

Did you know that the Carolinas were frequently raided by pirates in the colonial days of America?

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[Sainters7]

I love how Calgary plays in Carolina at the exact same time as the NFC Championship Game in Carolina (different city, but close enough). Between that, the snowstorm on the east coast, the Canes already being last in the NHL in attendance, and the Flames probably having zero draw power there, this crowd should be pretty hilariously puny. Will they even break 4000?

[HotHotHeat]

Loving that 4pm Sunday start.

[Da_Chief]

Bennett will not ever score another goal this season.

[Erick Estrada]

I can't imagine the attendance is going to be very good with the Panthers game later in the afternoon and predicted weather.

[Heavy Jack]

Hardly any 'recent' pics haha

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Look for Michael Frolik to replace Micheal Ferland as the net-front guy on #Flames 5-on-4 PP, Sam Bennett 5-on-3.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Did you know that the Carolinas were frequently raided by pirates in the colonial days of America?

Spoiler!

Go Flames

Is that a Hurricane walking the plank?!?! So awesome.


Love these things man!

[calgaryboy]

Okay, last time it worked, as it was maybe my first post in GDT, so why not to continue with it. Flames win 4:1. Strong games from Sam and Frolas! Go Flames!

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Did you know that the Carolinas were frequently raided by pirates in the colonial days of America?

Spoiler!

Go Flames

I think this one is my favorite so far

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Look for Michael Frolik to replace Micheal Ferland as the net-front guy on #Flames 5-on-4 PP, Sam Bennett 5-on-3 until the Flames sign lucic in the offseason.

Updated the tweet

[bob-loblaw]

Go Flames! Bennett and Johnny with a pair of goals each. 6-2 Flames.

[Tawiskaron]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Ok, someone help me out with photos. I couldn't find anything worth posting.

You mean photos of Carolina raising the cup while the no good Oilers look on?

[Sylvanfan]

Carolina is the type of team that beats the Flames 2-1 this year.

[direwolf]

Flames have games in hand on the entire conference right now. Tonight would be a good time to make up some ground on the teams we're chasing. Just win. That's all I ask.

[jg13]

How are we going to score on the legend Eddie Lack?

2-0 Canes. (1 Empty Net)

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Did you know that the Carolinas were frequently raided by pirates in the colonial days of America?

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

Loving the chemistry developing with backs and Bennett. Gio 23 points in last 23 games... I did not know that, glad to see him back where he left off last year.

Pumped to sit back and watch the flames crush the canes.

Go Flames!

[carom]

Looking forward to this one, 11 pm start for me. Interesting to see Lindholm on the top line as a wing. He was who i wanted that draft, glad we had to settle for Monahan.

Go flames go!