[GDT] Flames @ Islanders 5:00 PM SNW

[sureLoss]

Perhaps this game is filled with the most nervous anticipation by Flames fans this season. The questions and lack of information about Giordano's injury has filled the fanbase with melancholy about playoff chances.

This is also most likely Glencross' last game wearing the Flaming C.







Via NHL.com

Season series: John Tavares scored both goals for the New York Islanders in their earlier win this season. Johnny Gaudreau had the only goal for the Calgary Flames.

Flames team scope: The status of defenseman Mark Giordano was uncertain after he sustained an undisclosed injury in the final minute of a 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. Coach Bob Hartley said Giordano was still under evaluation Thursday and will be a game-time decision. Giordano has established himself as a potential Norris Trophy candidate this season with 11 goals, 48 points and a plus-13 rating. "Giordano is a machine and he never changes … his preparation and approach to the game is second to none," forward Joe Colborne said, according to Sportsnet Calgary. Goalie Karri Ramo has the hot hand, making 54 saves on 56 shots (.964 save percentage) in starting on back-to-back days against the New York Rangers (1-0 loss Tuesday) and Devils. Ramo hasn't faced the Islanders since Feb. 3, 2009, when he lost 3-1 as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Islanders team scope: Center Frans Nielsen took a maintenance day Thursday. "He battled through the last game there," coach Jack Capuano told the Islanders website. "Fortunately we gave him a little bit of time at the end of the game to rest up." Nielsen skated four shifts in the third period of the Islanders' 5-1 win Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes, none in the final 10 minutes. Brock Nelson and Kael Mouillierat, who had his first NHL goal and assist in the victory, each moved up a line at practice. Forward Anders Lee has 20 goals, which entering Thursday was tied for second among rookies with Mike Hoffman of the Ottawa Senators, one behind League leader Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators.

.

per Hartley, Giordano will not play tonight.

[sureLoss]

Speculation Flames might dress 7 d

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
I wonder if BOTH Corey Potter AND Tyler Wotherspoon will play tonight? #Flames could dress 7 defencemen to help eat Mark Giordano's minutes.

[ComixZone]

Looking to Hudler to step up tonight. Monahan and Gaudreau have been playing great lately, but Jiri seems to have hit a bit of cold streak. He's going to step up tonight, as will Wideman.

[SuperMatt18]

Big game tonight.

Flames win and they gain confidence that they can do this without Gio and win for the captain.

If they have a poor showing seed of doubt might start to creep in.

[Gaudfather]

Flames have to contain Tavares if they want to get a W tonite.

[Gaskal]

(Pls be ok Gio)

[Bandwagon In Flames]

This is not a good first game to be without Gio.. Islanders are fast and have plenty of offensive weapons.

If Ramo can keep up his stellar play then we have a chance!

This game is actually huge, as a big loss tonight may be enough to make us complete sellers at the deadline.

[ClubFlames]

I don't think a loss tonight would make us go in all out sell everything mode, unless of course if we lose 10-0 or something. But with the team that is mentally tough I think we would be okay. The D pairing I would like to see:

Wideman-Brodie
Russel - Wotherspoon/Potter
Diaz - Engelland

[nemanja2306]

"A wounded lion is the most dangerous one" 5-2 Flames, Johnny with a goal and two assists.

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Without Giordano, #Flames power play pairings are Russell-Wideman, Brodie-Diaz.

[Gaudfather]

Derek Wills ‏@Fan960Wills 4m4 minutes ago
Jiri Hudler leads stretch at #Flames morning skate. Wouldn't be surprised if he has an "A" tonight with the "C" out.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I love our retro jerseys... I don't know why we don't wear them more often at home.

One of our defenseman is going to step up his game. My guess is Russell.

[sureLoss]

Poirier out. Wotherspoon out? Brodie paired with Engelland

Aaron Vickers @AAVickers
#Flames lines this AM:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler;
Bouma-Backlund-Jones;
Bollig-Granlund-Ferland;
Glencross-Colborne-Jooris

Scott Cruickshank @CruickshankCH
#Flames pairings --
Russell/Wideman ...
Brodie/Engelland ...
Diaz/Potter

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
#Flames had Potter with Diaz one pairing, Russell with Wideman on another and Brodie with Engelland. Unless they play 7 D, Wotherspoon out

[Gaskal]

Wonder what the defence pairings are gonna be.

Russell - Brodie
Wideman - Diaz
Wotherspoon - Engelland

[Gaudfather]

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes 7m7 minutes ago
Last time #Flames were in the playoff hunt on Feb 27 was 2011 when Backlund was basically the only rookie. Tonight's line-up could have six.

[formulate]

I really like the idea of 7 defensemen for this game. Spreading Gio's minutes around will help avoid situations like Brodie playing 30 minutes or Diaz playing 20+.

Engelland can also play the wing if he's needed for whatever reason. Unfortunately it would likely mean Ferland or Poirier sits out, but these are desperate times!

[foshizzle11]

They said on the fan right now that Brodie is paired with Engelland at morning skate.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

They said on the fan right now that Brodie is paired with Engelland at morning skate.

Aw HELL no....

[locsofblu]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Poirier out. Wotherspoon out?

Aaron Vickers @AAVickers
#Flames lines this AM:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler;
Bouma-Backlund-Jones;
Bollig-Granlund-Ferland;
Glencross-Colborne-Jooris

Scott Cruickshank @CruickshankCH
#Flames pairings --
Russell/Wideman ...
Brodie/Engelland ...
Diaz/Potter

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
#Flames had Potter with Diaz one pairing, Russell with Wideman on another and Brodie with Engelland. Unless they play 7 D, Wotherspoon out

Why Bollig? and why not Wotherspoon?

[Gaudfather]

Calgary Flames ‏@NHLFlames 19h19 hours ago
"It's going to be a group effort." - Kris Russell on tilt vs. the #Isles ~ http://cflam.es/1LLBffY