[GDT] Blackhawks @ Flames - 7:00 PM MST - SN360, FAN960

[bubbsy]

I don't see it. Stajan is terrible and likely to get worse, Lazar is useless but can skate and may get better with actual linemates.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Yes and Lazar instead of Stajan. In either scenario fourth line is bad but you have top 3 lines that could do some damage.

Maybe.

Stajan simply doesn't have it anymore. Lazar is looking really horrible too and Lazar also looked really bad even when playing with Bennett and Janko earlier in the year but at least he's young and damn fast. So he's got that if perhaps nothing else.

Who knows though. Maybe the combination of the one rabbit foot + the 1st lead foot on line 4 can actually get something good out of the other lead foot (Brouwer).

[ssjshmo]

Go Flams go!
2 huge points!

[Vinny01]

no game until Thursday after this. Shakeup to follow???

Hopefully Stajan and Brouwer's last games as Flames tonight and they can enjoy Northern California. Give Lazar a long look at 4th line C or call up Hrivik and move him to the wing? Make a deal for Duclair? Call up Klimchuk?

[ComixZone]

Poor Eatbread. Getting fed to Stajan and Brouwer, both of whom should be scratched.

4th line should be: Mangiapane - Lazar - Hamilton.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Poor Eatbread. Getting fed to Stajan and Brouwer, both of whom should be scratched.

4th line should be: Mangiapane - Lazar - Hamilton.

Freddie is garbage. Should be Hrivik in there.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Karl

Freddie is garbage. Should be Hrivik.

I’d be fine with this, but was just going on who is up with the team. We don’t have the space to call up Hrivik without waiving someone.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I’d be fine with this, but was just going on who is up with the team. We don’t have the space to call up Hrivik without waiving someone.

Yes. Freaking waive Freddie for pete's sake.

[camm13]

Mangiapane should reunite with Janko & Hathaway. The most productive line in Stockton. All lines need a shakeup,as not much is happening offensively,especially that top line. I would go:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett
Tkachuk - Backlund - Ferland
Mangiapane - Janko - Hathaway
Brouwer - Lazar/Stajan - Jagr

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by colbym72

I think Stajan is actually better than Lazar sadly

No, I disagree. Lazar is at least faster so he can back check faster and he does.

[direwolf]

Not even watching this one, as I'm taking a break for a few games.

I predict we'll likely lose 2-1 or 3-2 with the PP going 0 for 4 and the Flames showing up for about 30 minutes. It's also a home game, so that's not a good sign either.

Happy New Year, everybody!

[thefoss1957]

I have been lurking, here at CP, but, haven't been able to comment much in game threads, due to work schedule (darn work!) forcing me to watch games on DVR the next day.

I am a little surprised at the doom and gloom of the Pre game thread, 'Hawks haven't been scoring much, lately, and are in the middle of a long road trip, with, likely, a career AHL goaltender to start the game, tonight.

A little scouting on my guys...

First Line: Saad, Toews, revolving RW, (Betting on Hartman, tonight.)

These guys, especially Saad, started hot, but have been ice cold, offensively. All the advanced stats say that Saad/Toews should be ruling, but, they can't seem to find any finish.

Second line: Schmaltz/Kane/ and probably Debrincat, as Anisimov heads to IR.

Schmaltz/Kane have been electric in the O zone, but, without AA will be a huge liability if the Flames' forecheck can hem them in the D zone. Not for lack of effort on D, it is just not a strength, as size/physicality lacks, especially if Debrincat is the LW. I expect Schmaltz to slide from LW to C, but he is awful in the dot.

Third line: This one is hard to predict, as Q mixes and blends the top 6 to cover AA's injury...Probably Panik/Kampf (rookie)/Sharp. If hitting iron was the same as scoring goals, Sharp and Panik would be leading the league in goals, but, as the old blues' song goes: "if it weren't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all." Kampf has played the prior 2 games, and seems typical for the 'Hawks lower 6 forward prospects, ok size, defensively responsible, just not very exciting. He has been ok on faceoffs, which is big, as, for most of the year, only Toews has been able to win draws. As an aside, the feeling among many 'Hawk fans, is that Sharp has not much left, and, based on some careless tweets (by Hartman), Panik isn't as well liked as some of the Rockford call ups. For most of the year, the 3rd line has been useless.

Fourth line: (this one is the only sure lock, to start) Hayden/Wingels/Bouma. Easily the 'Hawks most consistent line. Ferocious forecheckers, they are able to score enough to have an impact. Look for these guys after every goal scored, and after every PP to keep positive pressure/momentum.

Defense:

Keith/Oesterle. Heavy minutes seem to be wearing on Keith, he has been playing softly, and hasn't had as much impact, offensively. Oesterle has played himself out of Q's rookie purgatory. He moves well and has a good shot, he is still adjusting to the speed/strength.positioning of NHL forwards in front of the 'Hawk goal.

Kempny/Forsling (perhaps Rutta for Kempny, if Rutta is healty again). Best defensive pair in any of the combos. Forsling has a little offensive skill. Kempny is still learning when to pinch and when to retreat.

Seabrook/Murphy. Murphy has been settling in after a rough start to the 'Hawk system. Seabrook looks ancient, and is beaten wide, regularly. He is, however, the only 'Hawk D man that can clear the crease, and has saved a couple goals off the goal line this year. Offensively, Seabs, and the whole Hawk D, have underperformed.

Goaltenders: Glass gets his 2nd NHL start in his home town...a 32yo rookie, he didn't seem to cover the posts all that well, late in the game vs. the grease.

Forsberg has had great numbers when he has played, but has had NO goal support.

Will be able to watch, live, tonight, but, will NOT know how sober I will remain, as it IS New Year's Eve!

Good luck to my Flames' fan friends and HAPPY NEW YEAR, no matter who your coach is or will be!

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by camm13

Mangiapane should reunite with Janko & Hathaway. The most productive line in Stockton. All lines need a shakeup,as not much is happening offensively,especially that top line. I would go:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett
Tkachuk - Backlund - Ferland
Mangiapane - Janko - Hathaway
Brouwer - Lazar/Stajan - Jagr

With the way Bennett is playing (arguably the Flames best forward ATM) he deserves another shot with johnny and Monny.

I know He and Janko have some nice chemistry but I think the Jam Bennett is bringing and his confidence growing with each game, he could object some life into that top line.

[Tailgator]

Yay - Flames are at home, need a win and some urgency .....5-0 hawks

Is this pre or post shake up?

[ComixZone]

You keep Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway together, they’re the only line clicking.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway
Mangiapane - Backlund - Jagr
Ferland - Stajan - Lazar

Scratch Brouwer, F. Hamilton.

[Manhattanboy]

Maybe tonight the team can muster more than three shots in the third period.

[jordo23]

Originally Posted by Karl

Eat Bread won't slow down Backlund & Chucky. That's why I say move him up there.

Jagr can go back to line 4 where he can play with the 2 guys who he can keep up with.

Putting a guy with 0 NHL games to start against Kane's line in a fairly important game would be even crazier than playing him 2 minutes with Stajan and Brouwer.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Good luck to my Flames' fan friends and HAPPY NEW YEAR, no matter who your coach is or will be!

I suspect Brad Treliving will be leaving the building with a conspicuously heavy and 'Joel Quenneville' shaped Hockey Bag....

[camm13]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

You keep Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway together, they’re the only line clicking.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway
Mangiapane - Backlund - Jagr
Ferland - Stajan - Lazar

Scratch Brouwer, F. Hamilton.

Brouwer is never getting scratched with this coach. And you do not demote your 2nd highest goal scorer to the 4th line. Simple logic.

[tvp2003]

Welcome back Lance Bouma. Looking forward to the Happy Gilmore-esque montage of 72 shot blocks with his chest:

Fourth line: (this one is the only sure lock, to start) Hayden/Wingels/Bouma. Easily the 'Hawks most consistent line. Ferocious forecheckers, they are able to score enough to have an impact. Look for these guys after every goal scored, and after every PP to keep positive pressure/momentum.

Must be nice.