[GDT] WCQF-G3: (P1) Calgary – 1 @ (W2) Colorado -1 ~ 8:00pm (CBC, CNBC, TVA2)

[Yamer]

A Brodie-Fantenberg pairing has me a little concerned.

[Patek23]

I’ve always though Gio Andersson should be a thing tbh.

[CN10]

Sportselect Info
Flames win = 2.05
Overtime = 3.6
Avs win = 2.45
Over 5.5 = 1.5
Under 5.5 = 1.95

For all the doom and gloom after the OT loss Saturday, the Flames are still favored to win tonight. Game 2 wasn't their best game but I think that was a function of feeling too comfortable after getting the shutout in the first contest combined with extreme desperation from the Avs to get the split on the first road trip. Looking forward to seeing a better effort with a bit more urgency out of Calgary for Game 3.

For tonight I am curious to see how Peters deals with MacKinnon without the last change. Personally, I would only be uncomfortable if he's out against Jankowski and Neal; and I expect Peters will swap Brodie and Andersson to balance the foot speed of the D pairs. Key to tonight will be staying out of the box so we get Gaudreau a little more ice time to get scoring, and roll all our lines to run them over with depth. Predicting we'll see the weather girl and an ATL tonight after the Flames batte hard for a 4-3 win. Gaudreau, Bennett, Hathaway, and Monahan (PP).

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Hopefully we will see more urgency on the road as it's a bit of a disappointment they wasted one of Smith's best efforts in game two. It would be nice to get off to a quick start and have the Avalanche abandon their defensive shell which has been surprisingly good thus far.

This is what I was worried about from the start, Flames haven't figured out how to beat trap hockey all year, so it would only make sense for the Avs to make that part of their game plan. Other posters were convinced they didn't have the defensive talent to do so, but playoffs are a different beast. If players are motivated they'll buy in to whatever the coach wants them to do, and to me it looks like Bednar has said the way we win is to clog up the neutral zone. I bet we see a lot more of that tonight

[PugnaciousIntern]

Splitting up Andersson-Fantenberg away from home also makes sense. As bad as Brodie’s dumb plays can be, he’s overall an effective and quick D who will hopefully make the Avs matchups less lopsided.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

And also because in a game of bounces Colorado got most of them.

Flames did fine on getting their more than their share of the bounces. Flames had 38% of ES shot attempts, 38% of ES scoring chances and 43% of high danger chances.

Flames can't (and I expect won't) play like that and expect to win. That late lead was a bit of a mirage.

If Falmes had stolen that game, game 3 would have been a prime candidate for an Avs onslaught.

As it is now, I expect Flames to come out blazing.

[Flash Walken]

We'll see how long it lasts having Brodie on the bottom pairing.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

We'll see how long it lasts having Brodie on the bottom pairing.

I'd be happier with him in the press box. I don't see any advantage that he brings over Valimaki, he just makes way too many stupid decisions with the puck

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I'd be happier with him in the press box. I don't see any advantage that he brings over Valimaki, he just makes way too many stupid decisions with the puck

Gotta dance with the ones that brung ya.

having said that, if Brodie has a game like game 2 but this time on the 3rd pairing, Valimaki will slot in for game 4.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Yamer

A Brodie-Fantenberg pairing has me a little concerned.

Well it has to be said Brodie has responded when being dropped down to the 3rd pairing so it may not be the worst thing. I like that Peters is sticking with the standard forward lines as I prefer the odds of going with the the lineup that got you to the party over makeshift lines this time of year.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Flames fans should never have to apologize for their goaltender stealing any games post-Kipper.

Flames fans should certainly never apologize for good goaltending, but there is also a far cry from getting an excellent performance from your goalie and that goalie actually "stealing" a game. Smith has been excellent, but the Flames won Game #1 on more merit than merely his terrific performance. I would say that Smith is doing his job, and that the Flames exerted their will in Game #1 in order to ensure the win. If anything, he almost stole Game #2 because the rest of the players didn't do what they are supposed to do.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Would like to see Bennett swapped with Lindholm if the 1st line cant get going right away. His physical presence may open up more space for Johnny.

[TheScorpion]

Brodie and Fantenberg on the same pairing? Oh good. That won't be stressful at all.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Would like to see Bennett swapped with Lindholm if the 1st line cant get going right away. His physical presence may open up more space for Johnny.

I think more than anything Gaudreau needs to stop trying to do everything on that line himself, and move the puck more quickly and frequently. He can do that without the benefit of more space. Moreover, if he is moving the puck more quickly and frequently he is also going to open up more space for himself.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

What does this tell Calgary? The Avs have pitiful depth if there is nobody ahead of this kid coming straight out of NCAA.

You mean the 4th overall pick who just led the entire NCAA in scoring as a 20 year old.... as a defenseman...?



Guy is tracking to be a top pair superstar, this ain't a conversation about depth.

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Bill Peters just spoke one-on-one with James Neal, Mark Jankowski and Sam Bennett. Keep an eye on that line tonight...they can be game-changers for #Flames. #CGYvsCOL

[skcli]

The team needs to skate and hit, that's all. Go Flames Go !

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

You mean the 4th overall pick who just led the entire NCAA in scoring as a 20 year old.... as a defenseman...?



Guy is tracking to be a top pair superstar, this ain't a conversation about depth.

So, Makar would be making his playoff debut in Colorado's top four even if Girard was healthy?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, Makar would be making his playoff debut in Colorado's top four even if Girard was healthy?

potentially

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Bill Peters just spoke one-on-one with James Neal, Mark Jankowski and Sam Bennett. Keep an eye on that line tonight...they can be game-changers for #Flames. #CGYvsCOL

Peters spoke one on one with three guys. Thanks, Wills.