[GDT] Flames @ Sharks, 8:00 pm, CBC

[landshark]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

What are your thoughts on Marleau? He's been getting the minutes, but just hasn't been able to produce at the clip we're used to seeing this year. I think he went 10+ games without a point recently until he scored last game.

Marleau is just about the streakiest 'star' player in the league. He often runs hot & cold and he's had a couple of really bad seasons along the way too, but this year he's been playing well - just not getting the puck in the net. Quite a few near misses in the last few weeks, but at least he's a very solid two way player. He's not a black hole like Havlat was - he doesn't make his line worse by playing on it.

He'll be ok, he still has his speed and his shot so expect him to pick it up at some point. It'll probably be tonight just to spite you :-)

[The_Future]

Must win. Nuff said.

[The_Future]

Originally Posted by Fire in the disco

I believe in this team! Flames win a close one, Monahan builds on last game and starts a point streak

A Monahan slump busting party would be a welcome surprise tonight.

We definitely need a regulation win, and we could also get some out of town help. Seems like Winnipeg never loses anymore. Some of these other teams can afford a lengthy losing streak.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I don't know what it is. But going from third string to first in three games seems premature?

I think this team is in a position where they have to play the hot hand. That right now is Ortio. Ramo is a UFA. So you now have a chance to move Kari to a team that desperately needs a goaltending upgrade while Rinne is out.

Hiller is under contract for next year, so you maintain stability in the crease and you aren't forced to overplay Ortio to start his career.

I don't think trading Ramo and rolling with Ortio means anointing the kid. But I do think Ortio is showing himself to be at least as good as our other goalies, and I want to see what he can do. I think they know what Ramo is at this point. He's not a full time starter in this league.

[hwy19man]

Centre Ice channels for:
Saturday, January 17
Calgary at San Jose, 2000h Mountain
Flames feed in red

Game is on the CBC in Canada, therefore it is not on Centre Ice.

USA
Indemand - Game 1 SD Game HD1
Dish - 586 SD 9554 HD Hopper channel 475-14
Directv - 769 SD 769-1 HD
Game is on NHL Network (Channel 215-1) in the Ducks and Kings region


Sirius Radio-- Siri Internet 926
XM Radio-- XM Internet 926
SXM Radio-- SXM Internet 926

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I think this team is in a position where they have to play the hot hand. That right now is Ortio. Ramo is a UFA. So you now have a chance to move Kari to a team that desperately needs a goaltending upgrade while Rinne is out.

Hiller is under contract for next year, so you maintain stability in the crease and you aren't forced to overplay Ortio to start his career.

I don't think trading Ramo and rolling with Ortio means anointing the kid. But I do think Ortio is showing himself to be at least as good as our other goalies, and I want to see what he can do. I think they know what Ramo is at this point. He's not a full time starter in this league.

This I don't disagree with. It was whoever said he could play 52 games with Hiller backing him up that was a headscratcher

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by btimbit

This I don't disagree with. It was whoever said he could play 52 games with Hiller backing him up that was a headscratcher

Yeah, that was still me haha I don't necessarily expect to see that, but if it happened, I don't think I'd find it shocking.

[Reggie28]

Hoping for a couple of beat downs and a flames win. Go flames go!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

On the subject of Ortio: The NHL sample size is pretty small, but his AHL sample size is pretty high, and he's been all-star level in that league for 2 years now. If that doesn't make you think he deserves a chance, then I don't know what a goalie has to do. He's earning his NHL time right now, and I think the team will stick by it's mantra in this case.

Despite the early season success, the goaltending has been consistently below average for the NHL Flames. I don't dislike neither Ramo nor Hiller, and I think they have value, but they are so inconsistent that it's hard to know what you're getting. Stability is far more important than being able to be a dominant goaltender. If you're defending and you're constantly unsure what types of goals your 'tender will let in, then how can you stick to your system and work as a cohesive unit? That's what we've seen in the last 4-6 weeks with the Flames, and you can't go on offense until you take care of your own zone, so the offense has suffered as well.

It's an old saying, but it all starts in the net. I don't think either one of Hiller or Ramo has convinced me they're a full time starter, so you keep whichever one gives you more value for the next couple of years, and you go with Ortio and see if he can be an NHL starter. If it doesn't work out, you rely more on the veteran and let Ortio back up, which clearly he can do at this point. I think you use both Ramo and Hiller until the deadline, but you have to move one at some point because I don't think Ortio can be held in the minors much longer.

[Dion]

[Reggie28]

Looking forward to Shore-Colborne tonight.

[Finger Cookin]

Any word on who's calling this tonight?

[Finger Cookin]

[To Be Quite Honest]

If this game is won I will be very satisfied. Until the next game, of course.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by saillias

Bob Hartley's Secret Coaching Method! Find how he doubled Bouma's point totals with this one weird trick! GMs hate him!

My avatar thanked this post.

[mile]

Calgary Flames ‏@NHLFlames 3m3 minutes ago FYI: With Curtis Glencross (lower body) out of the lineup, Jiri Hudler is donning an 'A' tonight! #CGYvsSJS

[Enoch Root]

cough*Backlund*cough

[Buck Murdock]

Drew Shore scratched?

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Buck Murdock

Drew Shore scratched?

Huh? Why?

[Gaudfather]

Keys to the game.

Backlund's scoring streak continues.

Monahan being off the snide - scores again.

Johnny Gaudreau puts up points as he starts to get more attention before the All-Star Game.