[GDT] Flames vs Ducks Game Three

[IntenseFan]

This is going to be the hardest game they've played. The Ducks know they can basically finish this off with a win in Calgary. They also know how to step on the throats of a downed opponent.

The Ducks made a lot of mistakes in the first two games. That will simply not happen tonight. They will be the best the Flames have seen them this year.

Winning will be a herculean task, but if they don't, it's over.

[8sPOT]

While we didn't get a win in Anaheim we were right there for both games. Play a bit more disciplined and both those games could have had very different results.

I think the boys will be fired up and ready to go. Feeling really good about this one. The Dome should be absolutely nuts tonight and the Flames will feed off that.

4-1 Flames. Tkachuk, Engelland, Monahan, and Chiasson.

[Huntingwhale]

I feel good about this game. The gap has closed between the Flames and Ducks, that much is obvious.

But I swear to God Jesus I will lose my marbles if I see another multi penalty game from anyone over some stupid stick infractions or unnecessary hits. The key is to stay out of the box goddammit! To go from the least penalised team under Hartley, to the most is absolutely infuriating. We can blame the refs/Wideman all we want. But those penalties by Hamilton in game 1 and Brodie in game 2 are perfect examples of the lack of discipline the Flames are showing. It's not players like Stajan or Bartowski playing over their heads that's the issue. It's the dumb penalties killing us.

Easter is over, Jesus is back alive, and it's time for a Flames win!!

[Royle9]

Hope to see some lineup changes for this one.

Lazar in please.

Take out 1 of Bouma, Brouwer, Stajan.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Ok boys, good job at fattening up those delicious ducks in the last two games. Time to start harvesting the foie gras. Sorry Anaheim fans. It was incredibly cruel of the Flames to fatten up your ducks just for this, but sometimes this world is an incredibly cruel (and tasty) place.

Yum!

[Otto-matic]

I would take out Bouma and place Lazar in his spot. Bouma just doesn't have the jam he used to have.

[IntenseFan]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Hope to see some lineup changes for this one.

Lazar in please.

Take out 1 of Bouma, Brouwer, Stajan.

Stajan is performing as expected. I think he stays. It should be one of the other two.

Brouwer "Mr. Playoff" is NOT doing well. But I doubt Gulutzan will sit him.

Bouma is trying hard, as always, but can't compete like he used to anymore. He's the most logical to replace.

[Strange Brew]

I'd be really surprised if Lazar doesn't draw in.

[Huntingwhale]

I remember a couple years ago that Bouma was always talked about as being built for the playoffs, you win with players like him, etc. I thought he's been decent so far. He's been pretty physical and decent on the forecheck. But it seems the team as a whole is being reeled in under the guise of not playing into the Ducks's hands. Even Ferland isn't the Ferkland of before (although he's been pretty good).

Brouwer is the real disappointment. Mr "I take pride is showing up for the post season''. Such garbage. Had a flukey run last year and somehow turned that into a big payday and and this unwarranted reputation of being a playoff player, while outside of last season had never really at all been a playoff performer. It just sounds good when the media has a mic in your face.

[Jore]

i hope bartkowski finally comes out. there's a reason he was playing in the ahl before we signed him. he's not an nhl level player and it's been obvious from day one. a complete joke that he's still a regular in the lineup.

[Komskies]

Going to the game tonight. Any recommendations on a spot to grab a couple pints and some food on 17th before the game? I imagine places like the Ship and National will be crammed.

[2ArmBands]

Originally Posted by Komskies

Going to the game tonight. Any recommendations on a spot to grab a couple pints and some food on 17th before the game? I imagine places like the Ship and National will be crammed.

Dont quote me but I believe the Flames will be putting on a "tailgate" party outside the Dome starting at 5. Beer gardens and all if its like years previous. If the weather is good I'd imagine it would be a pretty good option.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I like Lazar, but I don't think you pull any forward out of the lineup at this point. Bouma has been making some big hits and skating hard. Terrible, unfortunate bad bounce off his skates, but he has been fine. Vatanen is out because of him more than likely, and that to me tells me he is more than doing his job.

Brouwer has been 'fine' as well. Lazar has been 'up and down' in the games I saw him. Brouwer has been steady out there - unspectacular maybe, but he is needed on the those draws.

There is no way Stajan gets scratched. He is playing well.

I think you stick with this lineup until there is an injury. Having Lazar, Hamilton and Hathaway as nice depth pieces who play hard and physical is a huge asset, but I don't think you make room for one yet. Lose tonight, and I think you make a roster adjustment. You have to do something at least at that point, but I don't think the Flames have reached that point. Let's see what this team does at home first.

[kobasew19]

You can't take Brouwer out at this point, he's taking faceoffs and actually doing ok in them during our PP.

Monahan should hire Joel Otto and work on that in the summer exclusively...

[kobasew19]

Gulutzen better get the Gaudreau line away from Kesler’s line. We gotta use last change to our advantage!

[kingkahuna]

Just a PSA, there's still some tickets for the game available on ticketmaster

[BigFlameDog]

I have shaky wifi so need some help...we were at Huntington Beach yesterday and my daughter was wearing her TJ Brodie tshirt. Standing in a line up and this surfer guy (totally thought it was a surfer dude) says "go flames go". Wife strikes up a convo (I was way behind with the other kid)Turns out he is from Calgary and playing down "here". Maybe 6' blonde shoulder length hair. Any ideas? Wouldn't be Stockton I wouldn't think unless they have some time off. Early early 20's. I saw him just didn't recognize him and I think I would have if it was a flames prospect.

[CrazyCaper]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I remember a couple years ago that Bouma was always talked about as being built for the playoffs, you win with players like him, etc. I thought he's been decent so far. He's been pretty physical and decent on the forecheck. But it seems the team as a whole is being reeled in under the guise of not playing into the Ducks's hands. Even Ferland isn't the Ferkland of before (although he's been pretty good).

Brouwer is the real disappointment. Mr "I take pride is showing up for the post season''. Such garbage. Had a flukey run last year and somehow turned that into a big payday and and this unwarranted reputation of being a playoff player, while outside of last season had never really at all been a playoff performer. It just sounds good when the media has a mic in your face.

See Wikipedia under Fernando Pisani

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I like Lazar, but I don't think you pull any forward out of the lineup at this point. Bouma has been making some big hits and skating hard. Terrible, unfortunate bad bounce off his skates, but he has been fine. Vatanen is out because of him more than likely, and that to me tells me he is more than doing his job.

Brouwer has been 'fine' as well. Lazar has been 'up and down' in the games I saw him. Brouwer has been steady out there - unspectacular maybe, but he is needed on the those draws.

There is no way Stajan gets scratched. He is playing well.

I think you stick with this lineup until there is an injury. Having Lazar, Hamilton and Hathaway as nice depth pieces who play hard and physical is a huge asset, but I don't think you make room for one yet. Lose tonight, and I think you make a roster adjustment. You have to do something at least at that point, but I don't think the Flames have reached that point. Let's see what this team does at home first.

Agree to disagree. Lazar is itching to play, you know he'll be giving 110% and its not like you're having to give him first line minutes. I'd love to see him on the Bennett line with Versteeg myself, moving Chiasson to the 4th.

Brouwer has not been fine, hes struggled both games with and without the puck. Not the physical force, goal machine, playoff driver we all assumed he would be and why he was brought here originally. Brouwer takes a handful of faceoffs a game and his numbers already posted in a separate thread are still underwhelming. I dont see the Flames brass sitting him because of the contract and "experience" hes supposedly bringing but in my mind I personally don't see us missing much if hes swapped out.

Bouma hasn't be the force he should be, its been stated here for most of the year. His style of play easily replaceable by Hathaway, and in my mind Lazar brings the same physical edge but with potentially more scoring potential. If Bouma's on the ice he should be the one sticking up for teammates and dropping the gloves. I love seeing Ferland fight just as much as the next guy but the ducks are laughing when we take him off the ice for 5mins, that's a trade they do all game long. Again I see Lazar or Hathaway slotting in to do the same here.

Stajan has been Stajan I agree, he does what we expect and plays that way every night. Unfortunately his faceoff % is usually what we rely on, especially in the defensive zone and hes struggled with that all series. He's 3rd on my "to sit list" so I have no problem letting him play but hasn't done much so far so he made the list.

I don't see any reason to ride this out, down 2-0 is the time to make a change and spark the team. Heaven forbid were down 3-0 and wondering why we didn't make any changes. I think if there's a time to do it, its right now.

[polak]

Hopefully Dougie Hamilton has got all the stupid penalties he's going to take these playoffs out of his system.

Flames are undisciplined and their best player is playing like frightened child.

Fix those two things and they can win this thing.