[GDT] Flames @ Ducks, 5 pm, SN

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Flames: 26-28-3, 55 points, 6th in Pacific, 12th in West, 25th in NHL.

Ducks: 30-19-8, 68 points, 2nd in Pacific, 5th in West, 10th in NHL.

A win is a win is a win. Beating up on a weak Vancouver Canucks team on the 2nd half of back to backs with travel isn't anything to write home about, but the Flames played a very solid game to do so. Outside of a handful of turnovers that need to be cleaned up, they allowed the Canucks very little in the way of offensive chances. That's good because they were able to score on the few good chances they had because...let's just say it...Jonas Hiller isn't very good. Hiller will get the start today against a Ducks team that's eaten him alive over the years. However, since Ortio got the starter's net at practice yesterday, I'm willing to speculate that Hiller will get a quick hook should Hartley feel he's not up to the task today. I honestly believe that Hiller is starting today simply because he won the last game.

A couple pieces of good news for Flames fans. Sam Bennett is being given an opportunity to play center, albeit in a 3rd line role. He didn't look out of place the other night, so here's hoping he continues his progress. Outside of a couple ill-advised clearing attempts, Jakub Nakladal continues to look like an NHL calibre defenseman, especially in the offensive zone where he makes smart, but not flashy, decisions. Tyler Wotherspoon was recalled and played a very, very sound game in his first NHL game this season. He's been a bit of an afterthought for a while now, but he could still wind up being a solid defensive defenseman for the Flames should they decide to move one or several veterans in a trade.

The Ducks have been doing nothing but winning of late. They're coming off a very successful road trip, ending on a 4 game winning streak. In fact, over their last 27 games, they have just 5 regulation losses, owning a 19-5-3 record. They've pulled within a couple points of L.A. who were running away with the division for most of the season. They haven't done it with offense, scoring just 139 goals for 27th in the NHL. However, they do own the 9th best power play in the league at 20.1 %. They are good defensively, allowing just 136 goals, good for 7th in the league, but they are exceptional on the penalty kill at 86.6% ranked 3rd overall. Boudreau has decided they will essentially be a trap team 5 on 5 that excels on special teams. Even when they do give up chances they have two good goaltenders in Andersen and Gibson who have identical .917 SV%'s, which isn't exceptional, but they get the job done. Offensively, there are not many guys putting the puck in the net for them. Perry has his obligatory 20+ goal season already, but after him they only have 3 players in double figure goals (Rakell-15, Kesler-11, Perron-10). In contrast, the Flames have 6 players who are already in double figure goals, with a further 4 players who are sitting at 9 goals. If the Flames can play a disciplined game, score a goal or two on the power play, and protect the front of the net against the likes of Perry, they might just be able to break the Anaheim curse.

Nah...who am I kidding. Of course we'll lose.

Roster Notes: Russell and Smid remain sidelined for this game, so both Nakladal and Wotherspoon will get another game to show their stuff. The Ducks will be without Shawn Horcoff as he continues to serve a suspension for violation of the league's PED policy. Chris Stewart remains sidelined with a jaw injury. Hiller has been confirmed as the starter for the Flames, although Joni Ortio did get the last practice in the starter's net. No word on the starter for Anaheim, but Andersen is assumed.

Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Jones
Bouma-Stajan-Jooris

Giordano-Brodie
Engelland-Hamilton
Wotherspoon-Nakladal

Hiller

Ducks
Perron-Getzlaf-Santorelli
Ritchie-Rakell-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Maroon-Thompson-Garbutt

Fowler-Bieksa
Lindholm-Manson
Despres-Vatanen

Andersen




Go Flames Go!!!!!!

[Puppet Guy]

And so, it has come to this...

The quest to end the Curse of the Honda Centre has become such an obsession that we've tapped the blackest of puppet magic. Behold the dark power of...CONKY:

Spoiler!

GO FLAMES

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Exorcizamus te, omnis immunde spiritus, omni satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabolica, in nomini et virtute Domini nostri Jesu Christi, eradicare et effugare a Dei Ecclesia, ab animabus ad imaginem Dei conditis ac pretioso divini Agni sanguini redemptis.

/me throws holy water all over the place.

Audi Nos

Amen.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the presence of Ken King in the background of the first photo.

[Hatter]

My prediction is that Hiller gets pulled after the Ducks jump out to a quick 9-0 lead.

[Heavy Jack]

The curse ends tonight... On the backs of Brodie and Gaudreau Hat-tricks in a 9-6 thriller that somewhat mirrors the tampa-bay win from years ago...

[malcolmk14]

All the makings of a massacre.

7-3 Ducks, unfortunately.

The Honda Curse lives on.

I hope I am wrong.

[StrykerSteve]

If ever there was a game that I have zero confidence in Calgary winning, it's this one.

Would love to be wrong, though.

[calumniate]

Conky!

[PaperBagger'14]

I have almost 0 faith in this game. More than anything I want to be wrong, so screw it, Flames 4-2.

[foshizzle11]

All I want this season is a win today to break the curse and to always beat the oilers. Come on flames, we need a win!

Maybe Hiller will show up against his old team today.

3-2 OT win. Monahan, Backlund and Brodie with the OT winner, Johnny with 3 helpers.

GFG.

[FBI]

6-0. Four goals on hiller, two on Ortio

[NinePack]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the presence of Ken King in the background of the first photo.

there was only two posters before you.. i think that was pretty quick!

[Poe969]

6-2 flames. There will be no pressure on the. And they'll play like world beaters.

[malcolmk14]

Since Christmas:

Anaheim Ducks - 18-4-2 - 79 goals for, 54 goals against

Ryan Getzlaf - 24 games, 6 goals 20 assists, 26 points, +12
Corey Perry - 24 games, 12 goals 8 assists, 20 points, +1

Frederik Andersen - 9-0-2, .927 Sv%
John Gibson - 9-4-0, .926 Sv%, 2 Shutouts

[Benched]

We will break the curse.

Unfortunately today is not that day.

5-1 Ducks

[JohnnyT]

Some reason I feel like this is the day we break the curse, we've lost a lot in recent memory that look like good matchups on paper so maybe this horrible paper matchup will work in our favour

[FlameFan21]

Let's just get this over with...

[Racki]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

If ever there was a game that I have zero confidence in Calgary winning, it's this one.

No kidding. I always go into the Honda Centre feeling like, "this has to be it" and it never is. Tonight I feel like there is no chance we win this one so I expect that we finally end the curse.

[FBI]

I just hope we score lots of goals to make it fun. Something like a 7-5 loss.