[GDT] WCQF: GAME 4 - CALGARY FLAMES AT DALLAS STARS 7:30pm TV: SN/CBC/TNT/TVA - RADIO 960

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Those lines are hilariously bad.

Ritchie - Backlund - Toffoli

Ugly ugly ugly.

Just baffling when Mangiapane - Backlund - Coleman is there for the taking.

Oh well.

Sutter was teasing a bit in the pre-game interview saying that the situation is fluid and the lines for tonight are not necessarily set. Could just be him trying to keep Dallas guessing.

Honestly though, this team is going nowhere unless the top line gets going more. How the other lines shake out probably doesn't matter if the top line is neutralized. I can see what Sutter might be trying to do. Create enough of a threat down the line-up with players that can tire out the Stars, thereby giving the top line an edge. We'll see if it works I guess.

[N-E-B]

If was the coach Jarnkrok would be eating popcorn and Ruzicka would be in.

[Steve Macfarlane]

Will their actions match their words tonight?

https://calgaryhockeynow.com/calgary...-dallas-stars/

[CGY12]

Johnny - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Dube - Jarnkrok - Taffoli
Mangipane - Backlund - Coleman
Lucic - Ruzicka - Lewis

Is what I want to see but I know Sutter will keep Ritchie in.

[Igottago]

Been out of country and unable to watch the playoffs so far. Really looking forward to watching this game. I think the Flames will have a big performance tonight.

[hwy19man]

For viewers in the USA, the game is on TBS.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by sa226

Nervousness, excited and dreading. Those are me. I am that.

After reading Bingos analysis I’m pushing about 60% optimism, then the rest is pessimism, nervousness and stress.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

I'd peg this as the biggest game for this franchise since Game 1 against the Ducks in 2015. Huge fork in the road moment for this team and most people that work for it. I really really hope Flames can rise to the occasion and win, hopefully by a lot. And maybe get a spear in on Benn when the game is clearly out of reach

How was that a big game? In 2015 the Flames were still in mid-rebuild and weren't even supposed to make the playoffs, they were playing with house money from round 1. When they beat the Canucks it instantly made it the 2nd most successful season in 3 decades, and I don't remember anyone giving them any chance against the Ducks nor being that upset when they lost. Everyone was just happy for the young guys to get a little bit more playoff experience

[Moneyhands23]

I feel one team is going to go off tonight. Sure hope it's our boys

[browna]

Mangipane is running out there trying too hard to play a physical game to generate chances... problem is he's not that effective at it becuase Dallas has some big guys. And, even if he does create a loose puck off a hit, his center is nowhere to be found, posting up in the high slot away from any high traffic areas. Toffoli is the other victim becuase he needs the puck on his stick, and between those other two linemates, one playing misdirected, the other one playing soft, he isn't getting it.

Ritichie will be more successful at some puck retrieval, hopefully Backlund's been told to get his nose even the slightest bit dirty tonight, and from that, Toffoli can get some good looks.

Lewis and Lucic (and Ritichie) have played excellent at getting the puck below the goal line. Mangipane on that line can thus focus on getting open and being a finisher on that line when the puck is won, and doesn't have to worry about knocking a guy over to generate his lines chances.

Good moves by Sutter.

[Scornfire]

Originally Posted by R2theJ

I think this is more of 'message" being sent to Mangiapane than anything. My guess is that it is short-lived and he will be back in his normal spot by the end of the first period.

A message being sent to the one guy who has been dangerous on that line?

[DiracSpike]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

How was that a big game? In 2015 the Flames were still in mid-rebuild and weren't even supposed to make the playoffs, they were playing with house money from round 1. When they beat the Canucks it instantly made it the 2nd most successful season in 3 decades, and I don't remember anyone giving them any chance against the Ducks nor being that upset when they lost. Everyone was just happy for the young guys to get a little bit more playoff experience

The low expectations part is all true but I think the only time they've made the second round in 18 years has to qualify as a big game, until it became clear after game 1 they wouldn't win. This game is about to be much more consequential to the course of that franchise than that one, for sure.

[Scary Eloranta]

I can't believe Darryl keeps dressing Jarnkrap. He's completely useless. Toffoli def looks injured, judging by the way he looks like he's skating in mud. Backlund is just plain too old, and I think maybe they should put a Team Canada jersey on Mangiapane to get him scoring again. Right now Dallas just has to shut down the top line by hacking Johnny and goading Tkachuk, and that's basically it.

[Nabber]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Johnny - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Dube - Jarnkrok - Taffoli
Mangipane - Backlund - Coleman
Lucic - Ruzicka - Lewis

Is what I want to see but I know Sutter will keep Ritchie in.

Seconded. Seems so obvious. Even if it's Carpenter over Ruzicka to not have a rookie in the lineup, but Sutter loves Ritchie. I hope it's mind games but him on the 2nd line is terrible.

Big game! Go Flames! Need a win.

[Ferarri]

Depth scoring needs to show up because you know they will play the top line hard. Yes, the top line needs to be better but when they get shut down we need the likes of Magiapane, Coleman, Toffoli to step it up. Tree did a decent job of addressing the secondary scoring, but now it’s up to them to step up. I like seeing some line shifting even if it’s just to keep Dallas guessing. We have made things far too easy for them.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

I think half the reason for the Richie switch is face offs.

Flames are getting killed. Backlund in particular and he’s the key lefty. Richie on his left side can win more battles for scrambled draws.

[Coach]

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Coach

Thanks Coach... and Coach

[browna]

Ritichie will win more board battles than Mangipane was trying to do and hopefully the other two can pickup the puck.

Mangipane on his new line will slide into a space near the net and wait for Lewis and Lucic to do their work.

[CSharp]

Mangi on 4th line and Ritchie on 2nd line? ���� April fools was over a month ago. Yes, we’re still getting snow. Just seems like Sutter is desperate to get Tiffoli going and the player seems out of it.