[GDT] Flames @ Sharks, 8:00 MDT. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[David Struch]

Lazar in for Backlund.
Hamilton in for Versteeg.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by David Struch

Lazar in for Backlund.
Hamilton in for Versteeg.

Andersson in for Gio

[calgaryblood]

Doesn't seem like the Flames really care who they play.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Andersson in for Gio

Plus Wideman and Engelland. Hopefully that isnt suddenly a gray line, Engelland should be playing over Wideman.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Plus Wideman and Engelland. Hopefully that isnt suddenly a gray line, Engelland should be playing over Wideman.

It's not.

[tsquared1967]

Wow. Flames resting players especially after some posters guaranteed that the organization would not do this because they are jostling for position. Looks like the Flames are okay with finishing 8th and not worried about playing Chicago.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

Wow. Flames resting players especially after some posters guaranteed that the organization would not do this because they are jostling for position. Looks like the Flames are okay with finishing 8th and not worried about playing Chicago.

Chances are you have to go through both anyhow to go to the Conference finals so what does it matter what order it is in? Smart move by the Flames.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

Wow. Flames resting players especially after some posters guaranteed that the organization would not do this because they are jostling for position. Looks like the Flames are okay with finishing 8th and not worried about playing Chicago.

I think posters were guaranteeing this when home ice was still a possibility.

After we lost both games to Anaheim that wasn't possible and we've been resting starters since

[killer_carlson]

I think it's more about resting the players who have played hard minutes all season (Gio, Engellend, backlund).

I suspect we won't see much of frolik or tkachuk tonight either. Brodie and Dougie might not see as much ice as normal.

Good. I'd have no problem if Elliott only plays 1 period tonight as well.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

Wow. Flames resting players especially after some posters guaranteed that the organization would not do this because they are jostling for position. Looks like the Flames are okay with finishing 8th and not worried about playing Chicago.

And/or have confidence in the replacements to get the job done!

[Karl]

Yeah. Last 2 games are about getting some select vets some rest. Barring injuries that are serious enough for regulars to not play, next to no chance we see Wideman, Freddie or Lazar play in game 1 of the playoffs.

[Gaudfather]

Will be interesting to see how Tkachuk, Lazar and Frolik look tonight.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I think it's more about resting the players who have played hard minutes all season (Gio, Engellend, backlund).

I suspect we won't see much of frolik or tkachuk tonight either. Brodie and Dougie might not see as much ice as normal.

Good. I'd have no problem if Elliott only plays 1 period tonight as well.

Yup pretty much this. Even going back the last several games, even before clinching, the Flames were giving top guys less and less ice time than they normally would

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Doesn't seem like the Flames really care who they play.

Sharks are down their top two centers and will be sitting out a few players of their own as their fate is nearly guaranteed to face the Oilers. They have been playing the worst of all the playoff teams in the west as of late. No reason to believe the Flames can't win tonight.

[MissTeeks]

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

Two years ago we were ecstatic just to make the playoffs. However, the mood among Flames fans seems rather somber this time. I see three reasons:

1. Still burned by the fact we got swept by the Oilers this year (and let's face it, the Oilers look like the better team right now)

2. We are not the media darlings of Canadian NHL teams. With 5 Canadian teams likely in the playoffs, storylines abound, and so attention of media and casual fans is more dispersed.

3. With a .500 record in our last 10 games we are limping into the playoffs rather than storming in.

I'm as hopeful as the next fan. But I admit that a first round match up against Chicago, Anaheim, and even Edmonton, does not give me huge feelings of optimism.

1. The Flames were playing their worst hockey of the season when they played those 4 games against the Oilers, which was very fortunate for Edmonton. Oilers have also had a LOT of things go their way lately, including a few gifted PPs late in games. Sure they've played well, but a better team than the Flames? Nope. The two teams have the same number of wins, fer christ sakes. If we did face them in the playoffs, I think the Flames' superior depth would win out in the end, and we'd take them in 6 or 7 games. Outside of McDavid, there's no reason whatsoever to be afraid of that smoke and mirrors team.

2. I honestly don't think anybody cares that we aren't the media darlings of the league. I know I certainly don't.

3. I wouldn't say they're limping into the playoffs by any means. Flames have had arguably one of the tougher schedules down the stretch with games against the Caps, Preds, Blues, two games against the Ducks, and a desperate Kings team back on March 29th. Being .500 in their last 10 is actually pretty good considering their competition during that stretch. I have no doubt this team will be ready for the playoffs no matter who we end up facing.

There are some veteran guys on this team who have plenty of playoff experience, and the young guys had a taste of it in 2015, so they know what it's gonna take. Sure there's a good chance they'll lose to Chicago or Anaheim, but I'm still optimistic that these guys have all the necessary tools to pull off an upset. This is a good hockey club we have here. Are they elite? No, not yet. But they're pretty damn close. I'm excited to see what they can do.

[christoph186]

Just got back from LA... Got to see the curse live, meet the whole team and get a tour of the dressing rooms at the staples centre. Watched the morning skate from the Kings bench and man are these guys having fun right now. Not gonna lie, Wideman seemed very well liked and was pretty cheery as well. We gave him a good ovation when he had the breakaway goal. Also, cool seeing Stone stick around for about 30 minutes doing some one on one drills with Andersson -- looking forward to his first game. Can't wait for the playoffs to get started!

[sureLoss]

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Gulutzan now says it is Elliott the whole game vs #Sharks. No split of time with Rittich . #Flames

[tsquared1967]

Originally Posted by jg13

I think posters were guaranteeing this when home ice was still a possibility.

After we lost both games to Anaheim that wasn't possible and we've been resting starters since

Nope. The posters didn't want Calgary to play Chicago in the first round and put guarantees that organization were in the same mindframe. Their guarantees made you think they owned the Flames. lol

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

Nope. The posters didn't want Calgary to play Chicago in the first round and put guarantees that organization were in the same mindframe. Their guarantees made you think they owned the Flames. lol

soooo... their guesses were wrong?

...

moving onto the game - glad to see Andersson getting some playing time. will be interested to see what his game looks like