[GDT] Calgary Flames @ Nashville Predators at 6PM MT TV: Sportsnet/NHL Network - RADIO 960

[GioforPM]

I'm good with Markstrom in net. Vladar started the last two, likely gets the Avs and Lightning. Maybe the Jackets as well, though that could be Markstrom I guess. Then they split the BTB Flames and Kraken.

[midniteowl]

TBH, both Lewis and Lucic are playing "fine". But Lewis kills penalty and doing a good job, I'd take out Lucic instead because that way they can leave the 4th line intact and try out the kid on second line. Also, Lucic's fine is because he's playing with Huberdeau and Kadri? When he is playing with Lewis and the other kid, don't think he can be fine.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

yes, please start vladar against the last two cup champs

time to jump off that "get markstrom going" train and onto the "collect points and lock down playoffs" one. let markstrom make a case for himself with his reduced starts. if he wants more, he is welcome to impress us

[Toonage]

Lucic had a break several weeks back, seemed to do him good. Sitting him for a game or two to get a good look at Pelletier and refresh the lines a bit, especially amidst a few wins, isn't the worst idea.

[fire_starter]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Want to bet on that? Seattle will fall out.

Jones - .895 sv%
Gru - .885 sv%

There is no way the Kraken will keep up with the goalies being that bad. Gotta come back down to earth sooner or later.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Lucic had a break several weeks back, seemed to do him good. Sitting him for a game or two to get a good look at Pelletier and refresh the lines a bit, especially amidst a few wins, isn't the worst idea.

He's really faded down the stretch the last two seasons as well IMO.

I think playing him less down the stretch would benefit all parties to be honest.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Lucic had a break several weeks back, seemed to do him good. Sitting him for a game or two to get a good look at Pelletier and refresh the lines a bit, especially amidst a few wins, isn't the worst idea.

Agreed. Load management! Get the bear some rest and maybe he’s a grumpier bear if we need him to be come playoffs.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by fire_starter

Jones - .895 sv%
Gru - .885 sv%

There is no way the Kraken will keep up with the goalies being that bad. Gotta come back down to earth sooner or later.

Jones over the past few games is much better though including a shut out over Boston. Unlikely he keeps that up, but who knows. Could be a bit of a career resurgence there.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by fire_starter

Jones - .895 sv%
Gru - .885 sv%

There is no way the Kraken will keep up with the goalies being that bad. Gotta come back down to earth sooner or later.

Again, people have been saying that all season. Instead of coming down, they just finished a perfect 7-0 road trip.

I think you'd lose your money if you bet on them to miss the playoffs.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

Again, people have been saying that all season. Instead of coming down, they just finished a perfect 7-0 road trip.

I think you'd lose your money if you bet on them to miss the playoffs.

They've been on a heater, no question. But their shooting percentage is off the charts - it is 12.6 where the avg league-wide is 10.04. They are 2.5 standard deviations above the mean.

If their percentage were league average, they would have 32 fewer goals - in 42 games.

Not saying it won't continue, but if it doesn't...

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

They've been on a heater, no question. But their shooting percentage is off the charts - it is 12.6 where the avg league-wide is 10.04. They are 2.5 standard deviations above the mean.

If their percentage were league average, they would have 32 fewer goals - in 42 games.

Not saying it won't continue, but if it doesn't...

I believe that even if they regress to the mean, If I'm using that correctly here, they have enough cushion to make the playoffs.
I doubt they'll play under .500 hockey the rest of the way.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by sonq

Honestly, no idea. I guess Sutter is evaluating Ruzicka pretty tightly, if he has another lazy game I could see him out, Looch on the 4th and and Pelts with Huby and Kadri. Or Pelts with Lewis and Duehr, could work since they know each other well and Lewis would be the veteran presence. But yeah, without healthy scratches or injuries, not much room there

It's not the worst to have Pelletier practicing with the big club, learning the NHL lifestyle and getting a bit of rest from game action either. I'd rather have him jumping into a significant top 9 role than subbing in for Duehr or Ruzicka, but it is hard to make a change to those top lines when the team has been going pretty well too.

He's probably happy to make some NHL coin the meantime as well.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

It's not the worst to have Pelletier practicing with the big club, learning the NHL lifestyle and getting a bit of rest from game action either. I'd rather have him jumping into a significant top 9 role than subbing in for Duehr or Ruzicka, but it is hard to make a change when the team has been going pretty well.

He's probably happy to make some NHL coin the meantime as well.

I said something like this the other day. It's not like a few games in the AHL are going to make him sharper. The NHL is a fair bit different and being on a long roadie with the team has to be educational for him.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I believe that even if they regress to the mean, If I'm using that correctly here, they have enough cushion to make the playoffs.
I doubt they'll play under .500 hockey the rest of the way.

If they play .500, they will finish with 96 pts. To get to 97 pts, these teams have to play at the following pace:

COL: .625 (.744 last year)
EDM: .621 (.634)
CGY: .605 (.677)

All 3 of these teams can - and likely will - finish with more than 96 pts.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

If they play .500, they will finish with 96 pts. To get to 97 pts, these teams have to play at the following pace:

COL: .625 (.744 last year)
EDM: .621 (.634)
CGY: .605 (.677)

All 3 of these teams can - and likely will - finish with more than 96 pts.

puke.

[sonq]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

It's not the worst to have Pelletier practicing with the big club, learning the NHL lifestyle and getting a bit of rest from game action either. I'd rather have him jumping into a significant top 9 role than subbing in for Duehr or Ruzicka, but it is hard to make a change to those top lines when the team has been going pretty well too.

He's probably happy to make some NHL coin the meantime as well.

Oh I agree 100%. I would love to see him play but every minute he spends with the team is extremely valuable for his progress, even if he doesn't play. I don't think he has thought for a second that this roadtrip with the team has been a waste of time, young players do appreciate the call-ups and they understand how meaningful it is

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

just want to see Edmonton fall off a ***ing cliff

I know it's a lot to ask, but...

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

just want to see Edmonton fall off a ***ing cliff

I know it's a lot to ask, but...

Asking for bad things to happen to the Oilers is never a lot to ask. It's what should happen.

[GioforPM]

Pelletier makes $70 in the AHL and $863K in the NHL. I think he doesn't mind.

[midniteowl]

I don't want Edmonton to make the playoff and then I don't want them to have any chance winning the lottery.