[GDT] Flames vs Predators, 8:00 MST. HNIC, Sportsnet West, HNIC Punjabi, Fan 960

[Puppet Guy]

Hot vs cold. That's the sum of it tonight as the Predators visit the Flames. Calgary hopes to put the disappointment of Thursday's game behind them in the first game of a full weekend of hockey.

Game day hype, courtesy of www.calgaryflames.com:

1. US

The Flames fell 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Michael Frolik and Johnny Gaudreau scored for the homeside in a game that looked like it was heading to overtime until Joonas Donskoi scored with 2:48 left in the third period to earn the Sharks two points on the road … Calgary had collected points in four straight games before falling to San Jose … The Flames hop a plane right after tonight's game to head to Vancouver for a Sunday-night tilt against the Canucks.

2. THEM

Nashville blanked the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Thursday night despite being outshot 46-23 in the contest at Rogers Place. Juuse Saros collected the shutout for the visitors … The Preds have been red-hot of late, winning five of their six games so far this month, the lone loss a 4-3 shootout setback to the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 9.

3. US vs. THEM

This is the second match-up of the season between the Flames and Predators. The Flames won the first meeting on Oct. 24 by a score of 3-2 in a shootout. The Flames entered the third period down by two goals but rallied to force extra time. Matthew Tkachuk scored the deciding goal in the shootout. That night, Mike Smith stopped 28 of 30 shots … Five of the last 10 games between the Flames and Preds have gone to either overtime or a shootout. The Flames have picked up the two points every single time the game has gone to the extra frame in those five games.

4. THIS, THAT & THE OTHER

THIS: The Flames have now outshot their opponent in seven of the last eight games. Over that span, Calgary has 304 shots while the other guys have 223. The last time the Flames were outshot was on Nov. 28 against the Toronto Maple Leafs where they recorded a season low 20 shots in the game ... THAT: The Flames will play in their second back-to-back set this month and fifth of the season this weekend. The Flames are 1-2-0-1 in the first game of a back-to-back this season. The Flames will entertain another back-to-back later this month when they head to California for games against the Sharks and Ducks ... THE OTHER: Tonight before puck drop, the Flames will honour Smith on his achievement of 500 career NHL games. Smith recorded the feat on Dec. 9 when the Flames took on the Canucks at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames won that game 4-2 earning Smith his 208th career NHL win in his 500th game.

5. PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Flames: Garnet Hathaway

The winger, who has acquitted himself nicely on the third line with Sam Bennett and Mark Jankowski, is coming off a strong performance against the Sharks on Thursday. He had one assist, two shot attempts and four hits in the 3-2 setback to San Jose.

Predators: Kyle Turris

The forward has fit right in with the Nashville Predators after being traded to Tennesse earlier this year. In 16 games with the Predators, he has 16 points and is coming off a two-point outing in Edmonton on Thursday.

Line-ups, unconfirmed and subject to the usual scrambling (www.dailyfaceoff.com)

FLAMES

Gaudreau - Monahan- Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway
Brouwer - Stajan - Lazar

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone

Smith (unconfirmed)

PREDATORS

Fiala - Turris - Smith
Forsberg - Jarnkrok - Aberg
Bonino - Johansen - Arvidsson
Hartnell - Sissons - Watson

Josi - Ekholm
Emelin - Subban
Irwin - Weber

Rinne (unconfirmed)

That Darn Puppet and his buddies hop into the Wayback Machine and take a tiger (sabre-toothed, of course) along with themn. Hello kitty. Want a hot bath?

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[skcli]

Just turn down all PP and we have a chance to win. GFG !

[OldSam]

Go Flams!!

[Jeff Lebowski]

This will be an interesting game to watch as both teams are similarly constructed. 5v5 I'm looking out for pace of play advantage and obviously which team is more dangerous. Who transitions the best and how the D play defensively and offensively.

I've liked watching Laviolette coached teams because they are up tempo, with the D adding that extra layer of attack.

This is a big test for CGY and I think the players will be amped for this one.

[kukkudo]

Predators over the Flames 4-1

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

That Darn Puppet and his buddies hop into the Wayback Machine and take a tiger (sabre-toothed, of course) along with themn. Hello kitty. Want a hot bath?

Spoiler!

Go Flames

Where'd ya get that picture of zombie Ville Nieminan?

[FBI]

Still no Jagr?

[Toonage]

Given all the concerns lately you just know the Flames are going to win this one, further perplexing us all.

Flames 4 Preds 2

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by FBI

Still no Jagr?

Wills guessing he's in.

Derek Wills@Fan960Wills - 7 minutes ago

Matt Bartkowski, Freddie Hamilton, Curtis Lazar and David Rittich doing extra work following #Flames morning skate...so I’m guessing Jaromir Jagr is in and Mike Smith is starting vs. #Predators. #NSHvsCGY

[442scotty]

Gonna get taken to the woodshed tonight I suspect

[Joborule]

If Flames score a PP goal (or more) while the game is close/within their grasp, they'll win. If not when the opportunity arise, they'll lose.

Knowing this team, they'll probably get a PP goal when the game is out of their hands.

[sureLoss]

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
Glen Gulutzan confirms that Jaromir Jagr will be in tonight.

GG not breaking up the Bennett-Jankowski-Hathaway line


Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
now
#Flames projected lines and pairings vs. #Predators:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Hathaway
Brouwer-Stajan-Jagr

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone

Smith (Starter)
Rittich

[Huntingwhale]

Was kind of hoping Rittich would be in net. But I understand the Smith choice. The game could go either way I feel. Will be interesting to see the drunk rambling going on in the PGT should the Flames lose.

[mrdonkey]

5-1 Preds

[dieHARDflameZ]

Lots of debbie downers these days. The Flames typically play the Preds pretty well. They’ve been playing some good hockey lately, just not getting the results. Hopefully they get one tonight, Flames 3-2.

Hoping to see some much needed changes on the PP as well.

[direwolf]

Which Flames team will show up tonight?

Good Flames: 3-2 win, and possibly a Christmas miracle PP goal.

Bad Flames: 5-2 loss

[Zoller]

Lazar seemingly falling down the depth chart now with Hathaway passing him

[Heavy Jack]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Jagr
Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway
Brouwer - Stajan - Frolik

I’d like to see something like that if they keep the main lines in tact but inspired
by the third period blender last game:

Gaudreau - Jankowski - Hathaway
Bennett - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Jagr
Brouwer - Stajan - Frolik

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
Glen Gulutzan confirms that Jaromir Jagr will be in tonight.

GG not breaking up the Bennett-Jankowski-Hathaway line


Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
now
#Flames projected lines and pairings vs. #Predators:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Hathaway
Brouwer-Stajan-Jagr

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone

Smith (Starter)
Rittich

Is that not the most expensive and oldest 4th line in NHL history?

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Zoller

Lazar seemingly falling down the depth chart now with Hathaway passing him

He can keep falling, all the way to the AHL