[GDT] Flames vs. Wild, 7:30 pm, SN1

[Flame19,289]

Not sure if this is insurance in the event that Vanek can't go tonight, but...

Michael Russo@Russostrib
BLOG: #mnwild recalls Finnish scorer Michael Keranen for likely NHL debut http://strib.mn/19wKwMU

[codynw]

Originally Posted by AcGold

If anyone should sit it's Johnny. He's forcing plays, not looking around like he used, not skating like he was and not stick handling. Maybe he got hit or something and needs rest. Either way, he needs a few days to get his game back.

They can't scratch Johnny. He may be struggling at times, but he's still putting up points.

[icarus]

Doesn't Hiller own the Wild? I seem to recall a stat like that the last time they played. Flames will do themselves a huge favour if they win this one.


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[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

...he's being guarded 5 on 5 by playoff teams' best shut down defender. As a rookie whose game isn't based around outmuscling opponents. And he's still had 10 points in his last 12 games.

Great point. Love seeing JG-Mony-Hudler together, but it's pretty clear to opposing teams what line they need to shut down. When our offensive leaders were more dispersed (aka Jooris centring johnny) it was tougher to get good matchups for the opposition.

[N-E-B]

Got a good feeling about tonight's game. The Flames tend to show up for these important games. Hopefully they can pull off a convincing win, 4-1 or so. This is a statement game.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Great point. Love seeing JG-Mony-Hudler together, but it's pretty clear to opposing teams what line they need to shut down. When our offensive leaders were more dispersed (aka Jooris centring johnny) it was tougher to get good matchups for the opposition.

Yeah, it's a very over-looked point. Not many rookies can line-up in power vs. power match-ups and still continually put up points at the rate Johnny has been able to.

Yes, he struggles some times - but that's part of the rebuild process. Johnny needs these hard minutes. He needs to learn how to play against top-end forwards and top-end d-men, because that's what he'll have to face going forward.

Patience is required.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Flame19,289

Not sure if this is insurance in the event that Vanek can't go tonight, but...

Michael Russo@Russostrib
BLOG: #mnwild recalls Finnish scorer Michael Keranen for likely NHL debut http://strib.mn/19wKwMU

Great. We're already down 1-0.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Great. We're already down 1-0.

Nice, maybe that'll mean the Flames start playing in the first not waiting until they're down going into the third.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by AcGold

If anyone should sit it's Johnny. He's forcing plays, not looking around like he used, not skating like he was and not stick handling. Maybe he got hit or something and needs rest. Either way, he needs a few days to get his game back.

As Hartley said he got demoted for playing badly, but he can still turn the game around - which is why he got put back with Monahan and Hudler in the later stages of the game. Hartley is not afraid to staple Johnny to the bench or give him an earful. He is however, more selective in who to pressbox and it's shown to be effective in the past - with Johnny, Wideman, Raymond.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Has Dubynk really been that good, or did the team in general just start playing better? I think its likely a combination of both. Either way, Flames need a big effort and a big W tonight. Prediction 3-2 Flames.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Great point. Love seeing JG-Mony-Hudler together, but it's pretty clear to opposing teams what line they need to shut down. When our offensive leaders were more dispersed (aka Jooris centring johnny) it was tougher to get good matchups for the opposition.

Monahan was struggling for December before being moved to this line. So even then the Hudler-Jooris-Gaudreau line was our go-to offensively, but teams hadn't yet caught on to it. And focused (Successfully) on making Monahan a non factor.

The positive we can take out of this is that even with this top line struggling we can get great secondary scoring from the Backlund line and both bottom ones too. So if there needs to be a sacrificial lamb (Gaudreau) he's still helping the team even when he's not having a multi point Wayne Gretzky night.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

Has Dubynk really been that good, or did the team in general just start playing better? I think its likely a combination of both. Either way, Flames need a big effort and a big W tonight. Prediction 3-2 Flames.

Their previous goaltending was just brutal. Hell during the Ortio stretch someone here thought Karri Ramo would instantly help turn the Wild around, and would net us a good return. That Dubnyk has been not just good, but great is almost a bonus for them.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Byron is injured

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
An injury to Byron will keep him out tonight. Hartley won't specify what that injury is, however. #Flames

Come Hartley, release the Wolf into the Wild.

...see, it just writes itself. It's meant to be.

[Biff]

I wonder if the wrist guards are bothering Johnny. Might be enough to throw off his timing or, and I think we may be seeing this on the ice at times, affecting his stick-handling and puck-confidence.

[1stLand]

Originally Posted by codynw

They can't scratch Johnny. He may be struggling at times, but he's still putting up points.

Nobody puts Johnny in the Corner.

[polak]

I think Johnny has become the focus of every teams defense when they play the Flames. We need to either spread out the offense to take the heat off or he has to adjust.

[goaliemaskguy]

Some slumping has to be expected for the rookie no? Also, if a slump has 10 points in 12 games, I'm ok with that.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Great. We're already down 1-0.

I actually found that funny, but almost every fan base believes in 3 facts about their teams:

1. They don't get the benefit of the calls. The refs miss way too many calls from the opposition
2. The broadcasters are always biased to the other team, panels hate their team, etc.
3. Their team allows more 1st goals/wins/etc and slump busters than any other team

Go on any board and all the are running themes. The best way to see it is when your team isn't playing. For example, I went and looked at HFboards Oilers and Canucks when those two teams played each other and it was hilarious. The national broadcasters liked both teams more than the other and it was incredibly unprofessional how much they loved the other team. Both boards had "THERE'S TWO TEAMS PLAYING HERE!!!" multiple times

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by goaliemaskguy

Some slumping has to be expected for the rookie no? Also, if a slump has 10 points in 12 games, I'm ok with that.

Not only a rookie, but a college kid.

You see this a ton in the AHL with the college kids. First year, about this time (maybe even January) they hit a wall. They aren't used to the schedule, the number of games played and the speed of the game at the AHL/NHL level. They run out of steam and start making mistakes and just forgetting their game. Hanowski and Jooris did it last year, Van Brabant did it this year. It's just not something they have experienced before and so they aren't prepared properly.

Troy Ward (former Heat Coach) would preach patience to anyone who would listen about college kids and the midpoint of the schedule and play dropping off. Not excuses but understanding that this is the first time they have experienced this level (as CHL is very similar schedule wise to the AHL/NHL) and they will need to readjust and regroup and get back in it. He also helped encourage them. It was a process to be worked through.

Johnny's opportunity for a break was filled by an All-Star Break. So he's played even more hockey. He was bound to hit this wall at some point and it looks like that's what happened. Just need to have a little patience. He is still adjusting to the NHL game. This isn't something he's done before.

[Resolute 14]

The importance of winning this game is less about staying ahead of Minnesota, and more about moving 3 up on the Sharks and maintaining our distance on the Kings. Moving 5-6 up on the Wild would be a bonus.