Flames 15-8-2, 3rd in division, 5th conference, 10th league
Coyotes 10-12-3, 6th in division, 12th conference, 23rd league
Being this is a second half of a home and home series with the Coyotes, I won't be writing nearly as much today as I said pretty much everything I needed to say on Saturday. However, if you want to read a wonderful article on the current state of the Flames, that pretty much mirrors my own thoughts exactly, please read this piece by Bingo:
The Flames have some new accolades to sport this week. Karri Ramo was named the 3rd star of the week after getting back to back shutouts, and has been named the starter tonight since he's had adequate rest and is obviously red hot. Even more impressive is the fact that Mark Giordano was named the NHL's 1st star for the month of November. That's a pretty impressive accomplishment for a defenseman on a team that was supposed to be in the basement this year, but it's hard to think of anyone who deserved it more than Gio. Speaking of hot Flames, Jiri Hudler is on "some kinda" tear of late, scoring 5 goals in his last 4 games.
The Coyotes found their slump buster last night in the Edmonton Oilers, who seem to be everyone's slump buster this year. The Oilers were leading 1-0 in the 2nd period until the Coyotes managed 2 short handed goals, not only on the same power play, but they were scored on the same shift by the same player, Tobias Rieder. That's some epic level of no-goodness. By the time that second period was over the Coyotes were up 4-1 and went on to easily win 5-2 after the Oilers' implosion. Their special teams were excellent, not only scoring 2 short handed and killing 4 of 5 penalties, but they scored 2 on the power play as well going 2 for 3. This is pretty much in keeping with the Coyotes M.O. this season: Pretty good special teams, awful 5 on 5. Obviously this was a confidence builder for the 'Yotes, but they will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights with travel, so you would have to imagine the Flames will have the upper hand in the energy department tonight. Look for the Flames to utilize their speed again to capitalize on a slower and more tired Coyotes squad. The Coyotes have been a decent road team this year, sporting nearly the same record as their home record, so it won't necessarily be an easy game for the Flames.
Of note, Matt Stajan is back skating with the main group and Ladislav Smid has returned to the team after dealing with a personal issue. Smid should be ready to play tonight, but Stajan is likely a few days away from returning. He'll need to get into game shape and there's still no timeline for his return, suggesting he's at least a week away. They could surely use his face-off prowess tonight against one of the best teams on the dot this year. The Flames have won both meetings with the Coyotes this year by a combined score of 8-3. It's likely that Dubnyk will get the start tonight since Smith played last night. Dubnyk was pretty good against a Flames team that was flying and has actually been their better goaltender all year.
Nervous about this game. On paper, given how both teams are playing, this should be an easy Flames win just as it was on Saturday, but it has all the feel of a game we may well slip up in. This game is just as big as any that have come this season because we need to show an ability to win the easier games(on paper) as well as the harder ones. If we play like we have been doing in the last 3-4 games, we'll win.
Excellent chance for us to win our 4th 7 game series 4-1 as well. Come on Flames!
This'll be a good test as the Coyotes are playing well and coming off of a night off... Looking for Johnny to come out strong and take a few more chances, I think he's getting more and more confident and you can see that the team is behind him as they're setting him up for tons of chances. Gio and Brodie should dominate like they always do and Ramo will be Ramo. This should be a great game even against a boring team.
6-1 Flames.
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Also worth mentioning that Tobias Rieder, who scored both short handed goals for the Coyotes last night, was an Edmonton draft pick that the Oilers traded to the Coyotes for basically nothing.
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Great write up as always Cali, the only thing that makes it better is me reading it in a Ron Swanson voice... I keep waiting to see a pyramid of greatness reference thrown in! Keep up the great work!
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This'll be a good test as the Coyotes are playing well and coming off of a night off... Looking for Johnny to come out strong and take a few more chances, I think he's getting more and more confident and you can see that the team is behind him as they're setting him up for tons of chances. Gio and Brodie should dominate like they always do and Ramo will be Ramo. This should be a great game even against a boring team.
6-1 Flames.
Well worded. Other teams get opponents on the second night of back to backs. We get opponents who've just had an extra practice.
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Nothing I saw in the game last night made me especially worried about the Coyotes. The Oilers were just that bad. Smith played great, and he's not playing tonight, I imagine. If the Flames play the speed game, they win.
This line-up just looks awesome to me. Great mix of youth and leadership. When ready, I'd love to see Stajan fill in that 4C role with Bouma replacing Bollig. That's a solid 4 scoring lines you could roll in any situation. And there's still enough grit and toughness to maintain their identity.
I think he'll be <10 minutes shy of breaking it. The Coyotes will probably squeak in one of their typical garbage goals in the second. From behind the net and off two Flames.
Also worth mentioning that Tobias Rieder, who scored both short handed goals for the Coyotes last night, was an Edmonton draft pick that the Oilers traded to the Coyotes for basically nothing.
Not quite true. They traded Rieder to provide the Flames fans with more memories.
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I guess its better for the Flames to play Dubnyk then Smith but I was disappointed Dubnyk didn't play against the Oilers. Would have been even more hilarious.
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