Oct 17 Practice - Johnson starts against Sabres

[sureLoss]

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
#Flames lines this morning ...
Gaudreau-Monahan-Versteeg
Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Stajan-Chiasson

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
#Flames defence pairing this morning ...
Giordano-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamlton
Kulak-Engelland
Grossman-Wideman

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
#Flames open practice with battle drills. Loser does three pushups. (One for every defeat so far?)

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames just getting practice underway this morning. Only player missing is Elliott, we’re told for maintenance reasons.

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Chad Johnson is in the starter's net at #Flames practice. Brian Elliott is not skating...told it's a maintenance day for him.

Elliott maintenance day this early into the season? Perhaps we will see Johnson tomorrow.

[Tbull8]

Good sign the D are staying the same!

[Toonage]

Very happy to see line combos unchanged. For a team preaching patience and consistency this is key.

[TheIronMaiden]

I like that they're practising with the same lines. Chemistry seems to be the biggest problem. I hope that a few days off and practice/ video room time helps jell the group.

[polak]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I like that they're practising with the same lines. Chemistry seems to be the biggest problem. I hope that a few days off and practice/ video room time helps jell the group.

Agreed. Hoping that the Gaudreau line can click and break out tomorrow.

[sec304]

The games is against Buffalo who Johnson played for last year, I think it would be reasonable for him to play, probably won't happen, but after his last start I'd give him another try

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

...Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Chad Johnson is in the starter's net at #Flames practice. Brian Elliott is not skating...told it's a maintenance day for him.

Elliott maintenance day this early into the season? Perhaps we will see Johnson tomorrow.

I can't be the only one to whom this struck as most significant. Is Elliott possibly also nursing something minor/nagging? I understand maintenance days usually to indicate that players are rehabbing something very minor. Could this also contribute to why Elliott has looked less than stellar in his Flames debut?

[N-E-B]

As much as it may be tempting to start Johnson I think you have to show Elliott some confidence and play him again. He was brought in to be our #1, and he wants to be our #1. Don't want to start messing with his confidence already.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I can't be the only one to whom this struck as most significant. Is Elliott possibly also nursing something minor/nagging? I understand maintenance days usually to indicate that players are rehabbing something very minor. Could this also contribute to why Elliott has looked less than stellar in his Flames debut?

That's my thoughts too. A guy who posted one of the best save percentages in the last few years looked Hiller bad ? Something wasn't computing for certain.

[vicarious]

Hopefully Wideman and Grossman will remain in the press box tomorrow night.

[djsFlames]

If Elliott is rehabbing anything, just start Johnson. The opponent being Buffalo is a good excuse anyway.

[Locke]

I personally dont care who is in net so long as we get the occasional goddamned save.

[joejoe3]

Originally Posted by sec304

The games is against Buffalo who Johnson played for last year, I think it would be reasonable for him to play, probably won't happen, but after his last start I'd give him another try

Agree, he should get a start against his former team.

[Tbull8]

If Johnson were to win the next 2 games for us, do you still let Elliott play against his old team the Blues? I think I would

[Wolfman]

As far as the goalie talk, we haven't seen Elliott prove he can be the starter. Ride Johnson and see where he takes us.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

If Johnson were to win the next 2 games for us, do you still let Elliott play against his old team the Blues? I think I would

Yes. I always agree with letting goalies play their former teams. They know the shooters, they know what to look for, they know their plays. It's a advantage all around. Unless your name is hiller. I should mention the players also know the goalie but I still say advantage goalie.

[sureLoss]

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Chad Johnson indicates he starts in net for #Flames vs #Sabres Tuesday.

[Hockeyguy15]

I honestly believe that Johnson was going to get the start against Buffalo all along. A strong start against the Canucks along with Elliott needing a maintenance day just makes it a no brainer.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Chad Johnson indicates he starts in net for #Flames vs #Sabres Tuesday.

Good, I know he was brought in to be the #2, but you can't drop him after that display

[Strange Brew]

Yeah I don't think a goalie gets a maintenance day 2 starts into the season unless there's a little something wrong with him.