[GDT] Flames @ Avalanche, 8 pm, CBC

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Flames: 17-18-2, 36 points, 6th in Pacific, 13th in West, 26th in NHL.

Avalanche: 18-17-3, 39 points, 6th in Central, 8th in West, 19th in NHL.

A tale of two teams that have been up and down all year. The Flames got off to an abysmal start that put them so far behind the pack that even an 11 game home winning streak barely gets them into the conversation for the playoffs following 2 straight losses, and that's only due to a weak Pacific division. The Avs were also buried early on, recording just 4 wins in their first 15 games. They followed that with a 3 game winning streak...that led directly to a 3 game losing streak. It looked like the Avs were going to be a bottom feeder in the tough Central again this year, but since the 20 game mark, they've gone 11-5-2, putting them back in the race, albeit still pretty far behind in the Central.

Part of that was the inconsistent play of Semyon Varlamov. The Russian goaltender was having difficulty stringing together consecutive games of +.900 Sv %, and didn't manage that feat until December 3rd. Since that point, he's been lights out in an 11 game stretch, with a GAA of 2.00 and a Sv% of .942 (that's including a 7 goal debacle against Toronto where he posted a .715 Sv%). If not for some decent play from Reto Berra early on, the Avs would probably already be in tank mode.

He doesn't get a whole lot of help from his team though. The Avalanche rank 5th worst in SA/G at 31.0. Their penalty kill is also ranked fairly low for 18th overall at 79.7%. The end result is a GA ranked 21st in the league, despite some strong goaltending. That's not surprising looking at their defensemen. Despite being a strong offensive player, Tyson Barrie is not a shutdown defenseman. Erik Johnson is solid, but not a top tier defender. Francois Beauchemin's best years are behind him, but he's still providing quality minutes on the Avs top pairing. Brad Stuart is still a decent 3rd pairing d-man, but has been injured since late November. All of Redmond, Gormley, and Holden have been below average at best. Defense has been a hole for the Avs lineup for quite some time now, which is why they traded for a once promising prospect Nikita Zadorov. That has sort of blown up in their faces, as the 20 year old was sent down to the minors after 11 games where many nights he was single-handedly torpedoing the Avs chances of winning games. It may still work out long term, but for now Zadorov is not NHL ready.

The Avs don't have many problems scoring goals, ranking 6th in the NHL in scoring due in large part to their 9th ranked power play. Their young trio of Mackinnon, Duchene, and Landeskog continue to lead the way, with some solid support from Soderberg, Iginla, Tanguay, and Comeau. However, the other big piece in their trade with the Sabres, Mikhail Grigorenko, has also struggled a lot, scoring just 1 goal and 11 points on the season, earning him 4th line duties.

And guess what...you know how opposing players always hit milestones against us? Well of course Jarome Iginla comes into tonight's game sitting on 599 career goals. I think we all know what will happen, so just accept it and give Iginla a thumbs up on a remarkable career.

As for the Flames, someone other than Gaudreau and Monahan needs to start scoring again. Despite being the team's 3rd leading point producer, Jiri Hudler hasn't scored a goal since Dec. 4 (10 games). That goal broke a 12 game goal drought for Hudler, meaning he has 1 goal in his last 23 games. Unacceptable for a player with his skills as well as the amount of ice time he gets with strong offensive line mates. Something has to change for Hudler, in a contract year no less, otherwise he might be on the outside looking in when July 1 rolls around. Other notables who have not scored of late include Sam Bennett (1 goal in his last 20), Markus Granlund (9 games), Mikael Backlund (10 games), David Jones (17 games), Josh Jooris (11 games), Micheal Ferland (1 goal in 29 games all year). The only forwards besides Gaudreau and Monahan who have contributed a goal of late have been Matt Stajan, Mason Raymond, and Joe Colborne. Everyone else needs to pick it up, because you can't rely on 2 forwards to take care of all the offense for an entire team. Thankfully, the defense has been contributing offense again, led by Giordano's 10 goals, but it can't be relied on all the time either.

Roster Notes: The Avs have really mixed up their top 3 scorers throughout their lineup in order to spread the offense a little. Tyson Barrie is questionable for tonight as he recovers from the flu. Brad Stuart, Reto Berra, Ben Street, and Jesse Winchester are all out for tonight's game. The Flames are only without Michael Frolik long term. No practice yesterday (obviously) so lines are based on last game.


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

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman

Ramo

Avalanche
Landeskog-Soderberg-Comeau
Tanguay-MacKinnon-Iginla
Martinsen-Mitchell-Duchene
McLeod-Grigorenko-Skille

Beauchemin-Johnson
Holden-Barrie
Gormley-Redmond

Varlamov



Go Flames Go!!!!!!

[killer_carlson]

Time for the Backlund line to start producing offensively or start seeing the pressbox.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Time for the Backlund line to start producing offensively or start seeing the pressbox.

Well at least Colborne has scored a goal in the last 5 games. Ferland has more goals in him and Backlund has to start trying to produce offense again. When both those players are determined, they're pretty effective in the offensive zone.

[JBR]

Anybody make the roadie to Denver, and wanting to meet up for a pre-game drink?

[Puppet Guy]

Think you can take the heat, Snowman????

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[Timbo]

Who is left on the Flames from the Iginla era... Just Stajan and Gio right?

Anywho GO FLAMES!

and I forgot about Backlund

[FBI]

I notice a lot of the carnage takes place on puppet guys washer and dryer heh.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Timbo

Who is left on the Flames from the Iginla era... Just Stajan and Gio right?

Anywho GO FLAMES!

and I forgot about Backlund

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/l...000432013.html

Hudler, Stajan, Wideman, Backlund, Gio, Brodie.

[Monahan For Mayor]

This game is one we have to win. Can't go on 3 game pointless streaks. Flames come out firing, Flames 5-2 Johnny with a 4 point night.

[playmaker]

3-1 Flames

Bennett, Ferland, Gaudreau
Iggy scores his 600th goal

Go Flames Go !

[polak]

If they lose tonight I have to imagine they erase all that confidence from the strong December. 3 in a row would suck. Come on Flames.

[skcli]

Please do not put Hudler on the first line.....please

[locsofblu]

Congrats Iggy on your 600th goal. Go Flames Go!

[sureLoss]

Roger Millions @RogMillions
#Flames Bob Hartley ...Jooris in and Smid for #Flames vs COL

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Suspect Bollig and Engelland scratched. #Flames

[Huntingwhale]

Iggy due to reach the 600 goal milestone? This is the night. Hoping he scores in a 4-1 Flames win.

[btimbit]

Great, can't wait for that argument in the GT thread, whether or not people should cheer if Iginla scores.

[hockey.modern]

Nm

[sureLoss]

Wes Gilbertson @SUNGilbertson
#Flames lines in Denver ...
Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne,
Bennett-Granlund-Hudler
Ferlamd-Backlund-Jones
Bouma-Stajan-Jooris.


Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected pairings vs. #Avalanche:
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Wideman
Goaltenders:
Ramo (Starter)
Hiller

[hockey.modern]

Don't mind Colborne on the top, rather have Ferland though. We can all be happy that Hudler is out of that line though.

[Soccergirl1987]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wes Gilbertson @SUNGilbertson
#Flames lines in Denver ...
Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne,
Bennett-Granlund-Hudler
Ferlamd-Backlund-Jones
Bouma-Stajan-Jooris.


Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected pairings vs. #Avalanche:
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Wideman
Goaltenders:
Ramo (Starter)
Hiller

I like Colborne but he just doesn't seem to mesh well with Gaudreau. I'd rather see Jones, or even Jooris on that line.

Edit: Very glad to see Hudler not on that line though. Now all we need is for Wideman not to be on the first line PP.