[GDT] Flames @ Predators, 3 pm!, SNW

[Mony]

In regards to spreading the offense out as I mentioned in my previous post above

Gaudreau-Backlund-Hudler
Byron-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Jooris-Granlund
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne
Scratch: Bollig, Raymond, Shore (but I would like to see Shore slot in at some point)


Russell-Wideman (L/R)
Brodie-Diaz (L/R)
Potter (is he still up?)-Engelland (R/R)

These are sort of thrown together but they're lines I'd be interested in seeing. May also be a crappy idea though.

[Mony]

So I totally forgot Schlemko existed. Make that last pairing Schlemko-Engelland, but again, what do I know?

Would make all the D pairs L-R.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Mony

In regards to spreading the offense out as I mentioned in my previous post above

Gaudreau-Backlund-Hudler
Byron-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Jooris-Granlund
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne
Scratch: Bollig, Raymond, Shore (but I would like to see Shore slot in at some point)


Russell-Wideman (L/R)
Brodie-Diaz (L/R)
Potter (is he still up?)-Engelland (R/R)

These are sort of thrown together but they're lines I'd be interested in seeing. May also be a crappy idea though.

Byron with Monahan and Jones wouldn't really have too much offense, they'd be more of a checking line. Monahan's more of a finisher and even if he found Byron or Jones with a feed, they're not exactly known for their finishing.

Backlund with Hudler and Johnny looks good on paper, but Backlund's looked cold as of late and Hudler is experiencing a minor slump. If you're expecting this line as of right now to provide the offensive spark that this team desperately needs, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Hartley put Backlund with Byron (who he plays a lot with on PK) and Bouma so hopefully this sparks Backlund's game.`

Hartley going with Ferland - Jooris - Colborne is basically what you had as your 4th line, except with Jooris slotted between the two. Yes, Ferland and Colborne are crash & bangers and I understand the need for the role on the bottom line, but all three have some nice hands that can finish, which is why I suspect they're seeing 3rd line duty over 4th line.

[Mony]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Byron with Monahan and Jones wouldn't really have too much offense, they'd be more of a checking line. Monahan's more of a finisher and even if he found Byron or Jones with a feed, they're not exactly known for their finishing.

Backlund with Hudler and Johnny looks good on paper, but Backlund's looked cold as of late and Hudler is experiencing a minor slump. If you're expecting this line as of right now to provide the offensive spark that this team desperately needs, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Hartley put Backlund with Byron (who he plays a lot with on PK) and Bouma so hopefully this sparks Backlund's game.`

Hartley going with Ferland - Jooris - Colborne is basically what you had as your 4th line, except with Jooris slotted between the two. Yes, Ferland and Colborne are crash & bangers and I understand the need for the role on the bottom line, but all three have some nice hands that can finish, which is why I suspect they're seeing 3rd line duty over 4th line.

Hm, you make good points. Thanks for the feedback.

I'm just hoping the primary line can get something going again. And the secondary lines. Basically whatever we can get, because when Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler are on, they are onnn, but when they go cold it seems like we only ever have one line going at a time.

[UKflames]

Nice 10pm start for those of us in the UK, fingers crossed we come out of this one with a win.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Calgary could really use that top line coming alive again. Hard to pick on them, I think Monahan has 2 points in his last three games for example, but if they could reignite that run they were on the team would be in good shape.

Secondary scoring is key, don't get me wrong, but we don't really have primary scoring right now either!

As I said in that poll last week that almost got me lynched (breaking up the top line), they seem to dice up the weak teams consistently, but then struggle against the better teams (which makes sense).

Gaudreau has been blanked in 4 of his last 7 games (Min, Col (x2), St. Louis), while trashing the Flyers and Maple Leafs

It's going to take something out of the ordinary, for sure. A red hot line, a red hot goalie, amazing special teams...something's going to have to be far beyond normal down this stretch to get the Flames into the postseason.

[Bourque's Twin]

Especially if the Preds rest Rinne, the Flames are not facing their typical lineup. The Preds without Rinne, Weber, Nystrom (Flames killer), and Neal is a team the Flames should beat.

[malcolmk14]

Best-case after tonight:

Pacific

Vancouver - 91 (7)
Calgary - 89 (6)
------------------
Los Angeles - 88 (7)

Wildcard

Winnipeg - 90 (6)
----------------
Los Angeles - 88 (7)

Worst-case after tonight:

Pacific

Vancouver - 91 (7)
Los Angeles - 88 (7)
----------------------
Calgary - 87 (6)

Wildcard

Winnipeg - 92 (6)
---------------------
Calgary - 87 (6)


Games remaining in brackets

[Sakic19]

Any word on Rinne?

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by Sakic19

Any word on Rinne?

Nothing official, but it sounds like Hutton will play.

Flames are 2-0 against Rinne this year.

[malcolmk14]

Rinne - 41-15-4 with a 2.10 GAA and .926 Sv% - 4 shutouts

Hutton - 6-5-4 with a 2.48 GAA and .907 Sv% - 1 shutout

Hiller - 21-18-4 with a 2.44 GAA and .914 Sv% - 1 shutout

Ramo - 15-9-3 with a 2.60 GAA and .912 Sv% - 2 shutouts

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Mony

So I totally forgot Schlemko existed. Make that last pairing Schlemko-Engelland, but again, what do I know?

Would make all the D pairs L-R.

The pairings are already like that.

Russell (L) - Wideman (R)
Brodie (L) - Engelland (R)
Schlemko (L) - Diaz (R)

[SeeGeeWhy]

Your game thread write ups are great Cali. Thanks for keeping it up. You and HD should be pros!

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Mony

In regards to spreading the offense out as I mentioned in my previous post above

Gaudreau-Backlund-Hudler
Byron-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Jooris-Granlund
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne
Scratch: Bollig, Raymond, Shore (but I would like to see Shore slot in at some point)


Russell-Wideman (L/R)
Brodie-Diaz (L/R)
Potter (is he still up?)-Engelland (R/R)

These are sort of thrown together but they're lines I'd be interested in seeing. May also be a crappy idea though.

I've tried juggling lines in my head and it just does not seem to work. Flames are stuck with what they have for secondary scoring. I see more potential of breaking up top line resulting into 2 lines that won't be near effective. The problem after first line is that players left are bottom 6 players. Juggling them around does not turn some of those players into top 6 players. It is what it is on a team in the 2nd year of rebuild. Gonna take some time for prospects to become bonafide top 6 players.

[trublmaker]

beast mode engaged GFG

[Locke]

Ugh, I know it sounds stupid to say but this team looks out of gas, its too risky to meddle too much with a team like this in a race like this at a time like this, but they really could use some fresh faces and fresh legs.

A guy like Sam Bennett would be a nice wildcard to be able to play.

[Azhouse]

Go Flames Go!

That is all.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I've tried juggling lines in my head and it just does not seem to work. Flames are stuck with what they have for secondary scoring. I see more potential of breaking up top line resulting into 2 lines that won't be near effective. The problem after first line is that players left are bottom 6 players. Juggling them around does not turn some of those players into top 6 players. It is what it is on a team in the 2nd year of rebuild. Gonna take some time for prospects to become bonafide top 6 players.

If I changed the lines up it wouldn't be to spread the wealth or even the lines out, it would be an attempt to make the top three offensive players tougher to cover.

they just seem to have a heck of a time getting anything done against teams that

a) don't panic in their own zone
b) yield the line and the wall when Gaudreau breaks in

If they stand up that line seems to be reduced to Gaudreau carrying it through every one until he loses it.

Hasn't helped that Hudler has been less than stellar in the past few games.

[hockey.modern]

Is Shea Weber playing?

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Is Shea Weber playing?

I think a GTD. Still waiting to hear if Rinne is playing yet as well