[GDT] Flames @ Blues, 6 pm, SNW

[bubbsy]

no predictions, but this is the highest "quality of competition" the flames face from here on out.

A win will be tough against the blues even if a few of their key guys are out. They are big, fast, and ultra-disciplined in their style of play, which we've seen the flames forwards struggle against. A loss won't be the end of the world either, flames need to win the games against the bottom feeders left on their schedule (edm/arz) and win one against either the kings/jets, and i think they're good to go.

man, never would i have imagined back in September, that here in April we would be watching our flames in the middle of such a contested playoff race, heck controlling their own fate no less. I really feel as though last season was one of the funnest regular seasons i have watched as a flames fan in all my years, and that's despite finishing bottom 5. For the team to carry on that work ethic and progress even further this year, and actually getting the results (Ws) is outstanding.

Go Flames Go.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Locke

I've been thinking about that for the last little while now and I'm wondering if he didnt just need more minutes to really get into a groove. Its really tough to show your abilities when you only get very minutes and they're very start and stop.

Lately with his increased role and playing time hes looking a lot more like the guy we thought we were getting.

Although your point about it being tough to show what you got in limited minutes is a good one, I think right now Engelland is playing way over his head and overachieving for his skillset.

I saw a lot of Engelland in Pittsburgh too and this sort of play from him has not been the norm but rather the exception. He's not one you could rely on for sustained good play.

In other words, I'd be very and pleasantly surprised if we see alot more of this calibre of play from him next years going forward and this becomes the new Engelland.

[Gaudfather]

Spoiler!

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

confirmed lines:

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected lines vs. #Blues:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Bennett-Granlund-Colborne
Bollig-Stajan-Shore
#CGYvsSTL

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected pairings vs. #Blues:
Russell-Wideman
Brodie-Engelland
Schlemko-Diaz

Goaltenders:
Hiller (Starter)
Ramo

OK - I fixed the 3rd line for Saturday's tilt against the Oilers!

[polak]

Huge game tonight and Im done being pessimistic.

Were going to win this game and it'll be a hard fought battle until the end.

If the Oilers can beat LA tonight I'll donate some money to the red cross so that they can clean up Edmonton.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTitan

OK - I fixed the 3rd line for Saturday's tilt against the Oilers!

i like josh jooris...

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by handgroen

i like josh jooris...

How about the 3rd & 4th lines looking like this

Raymond-Bennett-Jooris
Colborne-Stajan-Shore

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Toonage

How about the 3rd & 4th lines looking like this

Raymond-Bennett-Jooris
Colborne-Stajan-Shore

bennet- jooris- colborne
ferland- stajan- shore

now that's a heck of a bottom 6

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Toonage

How about the 3rd & 4th lines looking like this

Raymond-Bennett-Jooris
Colborne-Stajan-Shore

Originally Posted by handgroen

bennett- jooris- colborne
ferland- stajan- shore

now that's a heck of a bottom 6

I like both of these!

[bubbsy]

if bennett actually does come up to the flames, i would rather he take jones spot on the bouma/backlund line

[Karl]

It's not rocket science guys, it's 2 t's not 1. Not a hard name to get right.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

if bennet actually does come up to the flames, i would rather he take jones spot on the bouma/backlund line

...so you want him getting the LEAST sheltered minutes?

[GranteedEV]

Bennett-Stajan-Shore
Ferland-Jooris-Byron

[heep223]

Originally Posted by polak

Huge game tonight and Im done being pessimistic.

Were going to win this game and it'll be a hard fought battle until the end.

If the Oilers can beat LA tonight I'll donate some money to the red cross so that they can clean up Edmonton.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

...so you want him getting the LEAST sheltered minutes?

even strength TOI/G average for flames centers this year (taken from nhl.com):

Monahan 15:53
Backlund 14:47
Jooris 12:47
Granlund 12:11
Stajan 10:10

so we're talking about a few additional minutes (3-4 shift difference) between the 2nd line and 3rd line center time.

I actually think playing with better, 200ft game type players in bouma/backlund would be of more benefit to his transition than playing with young guys like jooris/granlund/shore or one dimensional players like raymond.

anyways, it's fun to think about, and if it were to happen, i don't know if we'd really care too much as long as we got to see what he's got in him against other NHLers.

[Hemi-Cuda]

I'm so tired of watching St. Louis crap the bed against the rest of the Pacific division only to look like the Soviet Red Army against the Flames. With the Honda Center curse still alive it'd be nice for the Flames to kick this curse at least

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I'm so tired of watching St. Louis crap the bed against the rest of the Pacific division only to look like the Soviet Red Army against the Flames. With the Honda Center curse still alive it'd be nice for the Flames to kick this curse at least

I was thinking this exact same thing today...

[dino7c]

Flames should just consider the Kings to be one point back since they are winning tonight...this is a massive game

lose this one and the pressure is back on

[Split98]

Hail Mary!

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

if bennett actually does come up to the flames, i would rather he take jones spot on the bouma/backlund line

My only problem with that: I don't know if Bennett has ever played much RW. Putting him at an unfamiliar position for his first NHL game seems a bit much to ask.