[GDT] Game 4. Calgary vs. Dallas at noon on CBC. Make it 3-1!

[TheScorpion]

The Flames haven't held a 3-1 lead in a seven-game series since they faced the Canucks in 2015. We all know how that turned out.

They need to show up today. They can't count on Cam Talbot bailing them out all the way to the Cup. But they've showed up before, and they can do it again. If they channel their Game 1 selves, watch out.

Will Matthew Tkachuk be in the lineup? If not, watch for Tobi Rieder to take his spot on the second line once again. He's had a terrific showing in the playoffs, great to see. But it would also be great to see Tkachuk back and better than ever. The guy has five career playoff points in 15 games... that needs to be better.

Gaudreau, Monahan, and Lindholm are due to show up, especially the former two. Emphasis on "former"... as in, formerly impactful, perhaps? Gaudreau and Monahan haven't looked this shaky since, well, ever. There's a case to be made that Gaudreau has been the Flames' worst player in the playoffs so far. But we all know that he has the skill to be a huge difference-maker. He's the sleeping giant in this playoff series. If he finally wakes up... well, Dallas can't want that to happen.

What's going on with Ben Bishop? The Stars' #1 has only played in one game in this series, and he didn't look great, giving up four goals. Anton Khudobin has been the Stars' guy in the other two games, but he's still searching for his first win against Calgary in these playoffs. It remains to be seen who'll start Game 4 and whether Bishop's absence has been performance-based or otherwise.

Really impressive in Game 3: Mattias Janmark. He looked speedy and confident with the puck. One of Dallas' most underrated threats coming off a bad season... but there's still a lot of talent there. Look out for him and Denis Gurianov.

I still don't feel comfortable watching the Flames play against a team with Perry and Cogliano in the playoffs. Is it just me? Those two guys still scare the pants off me, maybe more than anyone else on Dallas. Too many bad memories. But here's hoping that Seguin and Benn don't add to the nightmares.

A 3-1 series lead sure would be nice.

Flames proj. lineup:

Lucic - Bennett - Dube
Rieder - Backlund - Mangiapane
Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Rinaldo - Ryan - Quine

Giordano - Brodie
Hanifin - Andersson
Forbort - Gustafsson

Talbot — 99.9% the starter

Stars proj. lineup:

Benn - Seguin - Radulov
Janmark - Pavelski - Gurianov
Hintz - Dickinson - Perry
Cogliano - Faksa - Comeau

Lindell - Klingberg
Oleksiak - Heiskanen
Sekera - Fedun

Khudobin — 60% the starter

[Strange Brew]

Assuming Tkachuk can’t go, I wonder if we see same lineup? Superstition is about the only reason I can think not to change, as the ice was definitely tilted against us.

Robinson in for Quine maybe? Or Jankowski draws back in?

[Doctorfever]

I missed the last game. Was there anything said or action taken against Benn for the spear on Tkachuk ?

[TheScorpion]

If somebody's coming out, I have to think it's gotta be Rinaldo.

Quine's running hot right now! Point-per-game!

[CMPunk]

Game Day thread started the day before a game?

[TheScorpion]

The Flames are 1-0 in these playoffs when the GDT has been started in the 5 minutes before the game day...

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Assuming Tkachuk can’t go, I wonder if we see same lineup? Superstition is about the only reason I can think not to change, as the ice was definitely tilted against us.

Robinson in for Quine maybe? Or Jankowski draws back in?

Quine played well enough to stay in the lineup.

[SeanCharles]

I’d like to see Robinson in for Rinaldo if Tkachuk can’t go.

[Manhattanboy]

Go Flames Go!!

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I’d like to see Robinson in for Rinaldo if Tkachuk can’t go.

I'd be ok with Robinson and Rinaldo in while Gaudreau gets scratched. Some popcorn for a game could do him good.

[Dragomir]

This game just feels like it will go to OT with some weird triple deflection goal sealing it.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Flames are equally immune to 3-1 series leads as they are winning game 2s. This series is going min 6 games.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I'd be ok with Robinson and Rinaldo in while Gaudreau gets scratched. Some popcorn for a game could do him good.

I don’t disagree really, but let’s at least be realistic. What’s a realistic demotion for JG? Bumped down to 3rd line?

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[AC]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I don’t disagree really, but let’s at least be realistic. What’s a realistic demotion for JG? Bumped down to 3rd line?

I think you could argue that their line has already been bumped down to the 2A line based on icetime.

Even strength TOI:
Rieder / Backlund / Mangiapane = 14:26 / 15:19 / 15:05
Gaudreau / Monahan / Lindholm = 13:19 / 14:19 / 12:58
Dube / Bennett / Lucic = 11:56 / 12:16 / 12:16

[Dion]

[TheIronMaiden]

I dont care how they do it. Just win!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I'd be ok with Robinson and Rinaldo in while Gaudreau gets scratched. Some popcorn for a game could do him good.

Do people actually think this would be a good idea? Scratch Gaudreau for an AHLer lol

Gaudreau isn't playing like a first line player but he has four points and is +2 in 7 games. Plus the Flames need to get him going. Don't be so dramatic.

[Inkster]

Just win.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

2 pm start time for me, on a Sunday no less! I can watch this one!

Seriously, the schedule for these games has been ridiculous so far. I know they have to make things work with only 2 sheets of ice, but I can't keep doing weekday afternoon games or 10:30 pm start times. Hopefully when(if) the Flames make the next round the schedule will become a little easier to handle.