[GDT] Calgary @ Montreal, 5:00 MT — SNW / SN960

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That's fair. But the Flames through five games have scored the first goal in only two of those, and they have not scored a first period goal since Game #2.

I was more speaking to his assertion of them not having a lead in “over a week”. While true, it’s misleading and also disregards the fact they’ve had leads in 3 of the 5 games that have been played.

[true#1center]

For the last two games I wore the same flames t-shirt and we know how they ended up. So today I’m wearing a different flames t-shirt. So if they win, we all know why.

[Bingo]

Lots of gloom ...

I hate the inconsistency, and those 3 stinker periods to start the season (2nd in Winnipeg, 1st vs Vancouver and Toronto), but even with 20% of the season played in a face plant mode the Flames still have top ten metrics in almost every single 5 on 5 category but one ... shooting percentage.

CF%
Mtl 5th, Cgy 6th

xGF%
Mtl 8th, Cgy 9th

On Ice Shooting %
Mtl 1st, Cgy 25th

I honestly like what I'm seeing overall this season. The team is deeper up front with two scoring lines working, and they appear deeper on the blueline with the Valimaki Nesterov pairing playing well, and what might be a step from Hanifin.

Put the puck in the net and they're fine.

Markstrom was average for the first time last game, doubt that happens two games in a row.

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
David Rittich starting in net tonight at Montreal. #Flames

[Flames1217]

Rittich is starting!!

[activeStick]

The one thing this team can be counted on for is unpredictability on how they'll look game to game and this has been the case now for many years, going back to before whipping boys Johnny and Monahan were ever on the roster. Basically, who knows what team we'll see tonight? Hopefully it's the good one that can be dominant!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

I'm just hoping for 2 shots on goal in the first period. Is that too much to ask for?

Well, since that happened only once, and for the first time in over a decade, I tend to think it is something we shouldn't expect to repeat itself.

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg
@Fan960Steinberg
Dillon Dube is a game time decision in Montreal. He took morning skate with the team today.

Head coach Geoff Ward says he’s an option tonight. #Flames

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by activeStick

The one thing this team can be counted on for is unpredictability on how they'll look game to game and this has been the case now for many years, going back to before whipping boys Johnny and Monahan were ever on the roster. Basically, who knows what team we'll see tonight? Hopefully it's the good one that can be dominant!

I don't know about that. I mean, the Flames have looked pretty great in every game they have played this season, but also with some mis-steps in a few of them. Yeah, they had a really bad first period on Tuesday night, but were then pretty dominant the rest of the time.

I guess we could say they are "unpredictable" in so far as how the Flames will start the game, but based on what I have seen so far I am actually expecting long periods of domination since this is something we have seen in all five games so far.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
David Rittich starting in net tonight at Montreal. #Flames

Don’t get this deployment. They have a back to back on Monday/Tuesday next week. Why not give him his first start there? Markstrom gives them the best chance to win tonight. Not Rittich. Markstrom has played two games in last ten days. He’s not tired.

Don’t like this one at all.

[Red]

Easy win for the Flames.

Habs in first game back after a very long and successful trip.
Home opener.
5 day break.
Playing versus a motivated team that feels shortchanged in last 2 games.

A team cannot win under those circumstances, so I read here. NHL schedulers screwed them over.

Book it.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Lots of gloom ...

I hate the inconsistency, and those 3 stinker periods to start the season (2nd in Winnipeg, 1st vs Vancouver and Toronto), but even with 20% of the season played in a face plant mode the Flames still have top ten metrics in almost every single 5 on 5 category but one ... shooting percentage.

CF%
Mtl 5th, Cgy 6th

xGF%
Mtl 8th, Cgy 9th

On Ice Shooting %
Mtl 1st, Cgy 25th

I honestly like what I'm seeing overall this season. The team is deeper up front with two scoring lines working, and they appear deeper on the blueline with the Valimaki Nesterov pairing playing well, and what might be a step from Hanifin.

Put the puck in the net and they're fine.

Markstrom was average for the first time last game, doubt that happens two games in a row.

I like this kind of positivity!

I think we can have three solid lines and D pairings when healthy so I also have liked what I have seen outside of the extremely frustrating periods they have sprinkled in.

[Toonage]

First start for Rittich in what, almost a year?

Yikes?

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames morning skate lines in Montreal, per the team:

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Leivo
Gaudreau-Monahan-Simon
Bennett-Backlund-Mangiapane
Lucic-Ryan-Nordstrom/Dube

Giordano-Andersson
Hanifin-Tanev
Valimaki-Nesterov

Rittich

[Bonded]

I'd toss in Rittich after Markstrom's game on Tuesday. Wasn't awful but not good.

[topfiverecords]

Win. Lose. Don't matter, I'm so used to both. I just like watching hockey be played.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

First start for Rittich in what, almost a year?

Yikes?

Rittich has historically gotten off to really good starts, so I would guess that he will probably be fine.

[Bonded]

Rittich will be interesting. What version will he be. I have a feeling he is going to get lit up but that is more memories from his last game ...

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames morning skate lines in Montreal, per the team:

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Leivo
Gaudreau-Monahan-Simon
Bennett-Backlund-Mangiapane
Lucic-Ryan-Nordstrom/Dube

Giordano-Andersson
Hanifin-Tanev
Valimaki-Nesterov

Rittich

That sure looks like they are expecting Dube to be in. Here's hoping...

[Monahammer]

Dube to the Monahan-Gaudreau wing please