[GDT] CALGARY FLAMES at COLORADO AVALANCHE 8pm TV: SN, CBC, CityTV - RADIO SN960

[ComixZone]

Big game! I hope we see Dube back in this evening and get:

Gaudreau - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Mangiapane - Backlund - Coleman
Dube - Monahan - Toffoli
Lucic - Ruzicka - Lewis

Tonight is a big test for Backlund. I’ll say that if Backlund doesn’t have one of his best games of the season, the Flames will likely lose tonight. Colorado’s 1-2 punch of Mackinnon and Kadri could really expose our depth at centre. Backlund needs to be “on”.

[Cheese]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500203243233857546

[Goriders]

If ever there was a benchmark game this is it. Colorado is the one team that completely dismantled the flames every time they played. They had no answer for their size and speed.

I think they have answers now. Think we’ll find out if they have all of them tonight. Gut feel is they don’t. But this team has proven me wrong all year. When they are on their game they can beat anyone.

Should be interesting.

[Cheese]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500207019311218690

[Cheese]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500209271870570497

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500139624743641089

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Goriders

If ever there was a benchmark game this is it. Colorado is the one team that completely dismantled the flames every time they played. They had no answer for their size and speed...

I get where this narrative stems from, but I think it is worthwhile reminding everyone that the last time these two teams played the Flames actually beat Colorado in Denver.

Anyhow, GFG.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Cheese

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500209271870570497

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500139624743641089

I continue to believe that Flames trainers and staff (maybe the altitude?) make a difference for their players durability. On the whole they have been consistently among the healthiest teams for several straight seasons now—it seems like too many to be a fluke.

[Enoch Root]

The best way to keep your defensemen healthy is to spend as much time as possible in the opposition's end.

[Cheese]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500216908238385159

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500210813587492864

[PugnaciousIntern]

And to have effective puck retrieval and breakout systems. Smith, for all his faults, certainly saved our D a few grinding hits. Most of our D are mobile, get to pucks quick, and have partner outlets in duress. We also allow some of the east shot attempts, so that also means less shot blocking.

But I still think plain old luck and on average young D core is the main reason

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

And to have effective puck retrieval and breakout systems. Smith, for all his faults, certainly saved our D a few grinding hits...

I know this is oft-repeated, but I am sceptical that Smith's puck-play has much effect on the health of his defensemen.


Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cheese

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500209271870570497

https://twitter.com/user/status/1500139624743641089

In regards to Edmonton specifically, they can whine about their 'defensive Man Games Lost' but a huge chunk of those are Oscar 'Creaky-McGee' Klefbom and 34-year-old Kris 'Block it With Your Face' Russell.

So thats like slap-shotting the puck into your own net.

[activeStick]

I wonder if Dube gets a chance to come back in? He needs to have a solid game whenever he gets his chance again...

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I continue to believe that Flames trainers and staff (maybe the altitude?) make a difference for their players durability. On the whole they have been consistently among the healthiest teams for several straight seasons now—it seems like too many to be a fluke.

Conditioning is a huge part as well. It seems that was a big focus this off season.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I get where this narrative stems from, but I think it is worthwhile reminding everyone that the last time these two teams played the Flames actually beat Colorado in Denver.

Anyhow, GFG.

Better wording would be Colorado is not a good match up on paper.

But games aren’t decided on paper. I think it’ll be a close and exciting game. Flames will want to prove themselves.

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I get where this narrative stems from, but I think it is worthwhile reminding everyone that the last time these two teams played the Flames actually beat Colorado in Denver.

Anyhow, GFG.

This is why it's a narrative builder. It was epic, colossal fail for the Flames in the playoffs in 2019. The Avs got control and the Flames had no answer, and no answer the next year till late in the season with the O/T win.

So we are still shaken as fans, whether it's an objective thing or not, we are all marked by watching MacKinnon and Landiskog just take the puck from end to end at speed whenever they wanted and the Flames had no idea how to stop it. (And frankly, a big part of it was Monahan being slower and not a physical player, Lindy maybe controls a little more ice)

I'm eager to watch tonight. Does Zadorov have "book" on MacKinnon after practicing against him so much? Should be a lot of fun.

I just hope the "real" Flames show up, not the clown show skates-on-the-wrong feet Flames from last game.

[Moneyhands23]

Vladar getting the start

[Cheese]

Vladar gets the start tonight

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Locke

In regards to Edmonton specifically, they can whine about their 'defensive Man Games Lost' but a huge chunk of those are Oscar 'Creaky-McGee' Klefbom and 34-year-old Kris 'Block it With Your Face' Russell.

So thats like slap-shotting the puck into your own net.

Below-replacement level players should not count to MGL. You can always drive by a construction site or something and snag a few free pylons if you really want them. They're not losing anything of value. So again, Edmonton having an extremely lucky year.

[chummer]

nm