[GDT] Flames vs Avalanche, 8:00 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[FBI]

Well at least Bouma finally played a good game last time.. So we still have one sh* disturber on the 4th line.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

The Flames should be able to win this. Take advantage of a struggling team for some much needed two points.

Nashville could technically bump the Flames out of a WC spot with their games on hand. The Flames need to keep winning games in order to be a legit playoff team.

To heck with looking at teams behind us.

With Colorado tonight followed by a back to back against Vancouver and those losers up North on the road against Boston, New Jersey and Ottawa we should be focused on passing them.

[ThisIsAnOutrage]

After the break since the NYE win, the games-in-hand scenario has evened out and the Flames look to be more settled into the last wild-card spot in the West, and sitting at 8th in the West overall. The only games-in-hand threat is Nashville who have played two fewer games and are three points back. In short, after a dismal start, the Flames are starting 2017 in the playoff picture, if only in the margins. A win tonight against the last-place team in the league feels like a must-win if the Flame are going to gain stay competitive and start stringing together wins to continue to gain ground.

Last time we had a breather, things didn't so well in the next game as, IIRC, the Flames lost their first game after winning six in a row.

Flames learn from the past, the good guys win in 2017, 5-1 Flames. Frolik scores for the second game in a row.

Go Flames Go!

[calgaryblood]

Why do they keep pulling Hathaway out? He's doing everything a fourth liner should do.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Why do they keep pulling Hathaway out? He's doing everything a fourth liner should do.

They keep pulling all the 4th liners out. They're all 13th forwards. Bouma, Hathaway and Hamilton are all interchangeable and they all need some ice time

[cofias]

Personally I wish they would try another call up with more hockey sense and skill instead of rotating those three (well, Bouma seems to have his spot locked down for unknown (contract?) reasons)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They keep pulling all the 4th liners out. They're all 13th forwards. Bouma, Hathaway and Hamilton are all interchangeable and they all need some ice time

Yeah I'm pretty indifferent to all the bottom forward guys including Hathaway but I will say their win/loss record with him in the lineup is something I would roll with as a head coach until the record proves he's not making a difference.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah I'm pretty indifferent to all the bottom forward guys including Hathaway but I will say their win/loss record with him in the lineup is something I would roll with as a head coach until the record proves he's not making a difference.

Freddie Hamilton's last game was the beginning of the win streak. If anything Bouma should come out by that method

[Gaskal]

Bouma had a good NYE game. Saw some good puck battles from him, plus that bounce goal. So I'm not surprised to see him in. Hamilton for Hathaway... well, if you're gonna test out some games without your resident rabbit's foot, then I suppose you do it against the worst team in the league.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They keep pulling all the 4th liners out. They're all 13th forwards. Bouma, Hathaway and Hamilton are all interchangeable and they all need some ice time

Disagree. Bouma and Hamilton are interchangeable. Hathaway has earned a permanent spot on the team until he faulters.

Don't see the point in changing up the lineup when the player coming out is playing well.

[Young_Guns]

Iginla, Bourque, Comeau score. Flames win 4-3.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Bouma had a good NYE game. Saw some good puck battles from him, plus that bounce goal. So I'm not surprised to see him in. Hamilton for Hathaway... well, if you're gonna test out some games without your resident rabbit's foot, then I suppose you do it against the worst team in the league.

Yeah. I'm not sure being scared to shuffle them is at all anything more than superstition. I think eye test to me says Hathaway is best, but he's still extremely marginal to the outcome of the game. If one of those guys sits too long you have to wonder if it's even worth having them in the roster.

The reason for the flames winning was goaltending and special teams. Hathaway at least drew a few calls (though not enough to really make a big difference)

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

@Fan960Steinberg: Freddie Hamilton in for Garnet Hathaway tonight. Hamilton's first game since December 2nd in Minnesota. #Flames

Bad move. Poor pat. He is going to hear it on overtime.

[Strange Brew]

Is Chiasson immune from the healthy scratch?

[HotHotHeat]

So sick of these midweek late starts.

[direwolf]

Flames have a great opportunity in these next few games to gain some ground in the standings. Gotta take advantage of it.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Bad move. Poor pat. He is going to hear it on overtime.

Really though if a plug like Hathaway is the difference between winning and losing for the Flames this rebuild is a failure. I would leave Hathaway in just out of superstition but if the coach wants to rotate these bottom line forwards in and out I don't really care as long as they win. This game and the upcoming ones against the Canucks are games the Flames absolutely have to win if they are going to make a run at the playoffs. It's going to be on the Flames top players to ensure that happens, not Hathaway and his 9 minutes. I don't understand why fans fall in love with this type of player as they are never long for any team.

[Scoutski]

I still have no idea what I should be expecting from this years version of the Flames. I can't decide if they're a 'good' team or not... That said, I'm optimistic for what's to come still! Hoping to see Backlund continue his great play tonight! 5-2

[Rick M.]

I really hope Monahan steps it up in the new year.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

So sick of these midweek late starts.

Seriously, there's no reason for this one either. It's in Calgary.