[GDT] Flames at Wings | 5PM MST - 7PM EST | SNW - Fan 960

[Split98]

It's time for 2019's 1st game! Coming off a fiery 8-5 matchup, we get to see if this Flames team can bring their game down a level and start gathering points from the teams they should be beating

Larkin has been great to watch this year, and from the looks of the Treliving forum... we could be scouting for our playoff rental tonight as well!

Go Flames go.


From nhl.com/flames:

US
The Flames made a statement on New Year's Eve, ringing in 2019 with an 8-5 drubbing of the Pacific Division rival San Jose Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames top line of Johnny Gaudreau (2+2), Sean Monahan (5 assists), and Elias Lindholm (1+2) combined for 12 points in the victory. Lindholm set a new career high with his 18th marker of the campaign. The reunited 3M Line also had a big night, with Mikael Backlund scoring twice in the first period, Matthew Tkachuk recording two goals and two helpers, and Michael Frolik adding a pair of assists, surpassing the 200-career point plateau. David Rittich made 28 saves for his 13th win of the season … Calgary enters tonight's tilt with 52 points and is second in the Western Conference standings. Winnipeg also has 52 points, but one more win and a game in hand.



THEM
The Wings limped into the New Year, losing nine of their last 10 tilts. The most recent was a 4-3 shootout loss to the Panthers at home on Dec. 31. They have been outscored 18-10 in their last four outings, including a 5-2 loss to the Penguins on Dec. 27 and a 5-1 loss to the Stars on Dec. 29 … Detroit only has two players with 30 or more points so far this season: Larkin and Gustav Nyquist, who has 10 goals and 24 helpers.

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/5-th...gs/c-303466586

[Toonage]

Prepare for Smith to start. (just want to mitigate any freak outs)

...and it appears Gillies has been recalled??

[Cheese]

Flames v Wings...you jumped the Shark.

[Wolfman]

It's Detroit not San Jose

[sixpacked]

Love the write-up, but you have Sharks in the topic/title line.

[Split98]

Welp...

2020 will be my year!

[old-fart]

Thread title lists Sharks as opponents... had poor old me confused for a minute. Thought I had gone back in time and I'm not sure my liver can take another New Years Eve this soon....

[Scroopy Noopers]

7PM Eastern! Hell yes!

[Split98]

^ We get to watch hockey like normal people!!!

[scotty2hotty]

I’ll be at the game tonight!

[Erick Estrada]

I hope the Flames aren't looking past the Wings. With Smith starting it may be important for the Flames to get off to a quick start.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I hope the Flames aren't looking past the Wings. With Smith starting it may be important for the Flames to get off to a quick start.

Well they've done this twice now after showing up for big games against Tampa and Winnipeg. I'm expecting another letdown after the San Jose game got so heated at the end, hopefully the Wings are bad enough that the Flames can still come out on top

[iloveicedhockey]

Will Mantha get something for being a dbag in the last meeting? Given that Hamonic messed his jaw up, I don't see him doing anything.

Alternatively we could just ignore it all and try to smash them on the score board.

[saXon]

I hope Bennett dumps Mantha into the bench and proceeds to rain down shots from above. Then, a 5 for fighting to both, and we all move on.

[chummer]

Hopefully the Flames remember last year's 8-2 debacle and Anthony Mantha suckering Hamonic in the Wing's bench. Time for some payback.

Go Flames!

[Street Pharmacist]

What did Mantha do again?

[chummer]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

What did Mantha do again?

Sucker punched Hamonic after he had fallen through an open door on the Wing's bench, dirty as hell.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by Split98

^ We get to watch hockey like normal people!!!

It’s weird, but I actually prefer the 9:00 starts here in Ontario. Kids are in bed by the first intermission and the wife leaves me alone. 7:00 starts mean kids are up and the wife wants to do something with me after the game. Lol. I should have just grabbed tickets, but after being there last year for the 8-2 drubbing and it being right after Christmas I decided against it.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by chummer

Sucker punched Hamonic after he had fallen through an open door on the Wing's bench, dirty as hell.

Riiiiiiiight. Forgot

[Enoch Root]

I have been firmly in the group that wanted to split up 3M and get Tkachuk better offensive linemates. But nothing has really worked. 3M got reunited against the Sharks and looked pretty damn good. Not only did they score, but it puts the 3rd line in better shape. I think it's time to run with this for a bit and see how things go:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Neal
Dube - Ryan - Hathaway

Frolik may not be a '2nd liner' anymore, but I think people make too much of that sort of thing. This combo balances the lines well.

Also, Bennett, Jankowski and Neal have all been playing better lately, and all appear poised for a breakout. I have a good feeling about this trio.