[GDT] Flames vs. Oilers - Game 1 of the 2016-17 NHL season

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

Only worry is McDavid exposing our one weak dman on each pairing.

I bet you that Gio/Brodie/Dougie all have orders to stick to him like glue every time he is on the ice. Splitting up the pairings means we will always have one of these three on the ice to deal with him.

[GirlySports]

it's 3 games in 4 nights. Grossman will have to draw in sooner or later.

[Locke]

Starting Lineup:

Ferland - Engelland - Bouma

Grossman - Chiasson

Do it for Ol' Bob!

[puckedoff]

Is there still time to add Lindholm

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

Only worry is McDavid exposing our one weak dman on each pairing.

Well Gaudreau will just have to expose one of the two weak links on each of their pairings.

[CroFlames]

Monahan's 22nd birthday. He scores 22 goals tonight.

[LChoy]

Grossman to counter Lucic in front of the net? Someone has to move Lucic from the crease, not sure if anyone else for our D is big enough to

[McG]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Well Gaudreau will just have to expose one of the two weak links on each of their pairings.

or expose two of the two weak links on each of their pairings.

what I really want to know is why oilers benched the 5 Giordanos?

[belsarius]

I wonder how GG will try to match forward lines. Backlund-Frolik-Ferland would provide the defensive strength to try and hold off their first line with a Lucic/Ferland smash bros match in the corners. Bennett has a history of playing McDavid very well and that line could really bruise it up against them. Or the basic 1st lines go head to head.

I think the Oilers will try to match first lines because the Flames don't have the muscle on that line to deal with Lucic and I see the Flames trying to get Backlund out against McDavid whenever they can. If we can get the first or second lines out against that Oiler's third line I think that's where the damage can be done.

[hummdeedoo]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Monahan's 22nd birthday. He scores 22 goals tonight.

I'll settle for 2 goals and 2 assists

[hummdeedoo]

Originally Posted by belsarius

I wonder how GG will try to match forward lines. Backlund-Frolik-Ferland would provide the defensive strength to try and hold off their first line with a Lucic/Ferland smash bros match in the corners. Bennett has a history of playing McDavid very well and that line could really bruise it up against them. Or the basic 1st lines go head to head.

I think the Oilers will try to match first lines because the Flames don't have the muscle on that line to deal with Lucic and I see the Flames trying to get Backlund out against McDavid whenever they can. If we can get the first or second lines out against that Oiler's third line I think that's where the damage can be done.

That's what I noticed last year. Hoping to see more of that this year. Agree looking forward to the matchups and what the coaching strategies will be.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Lchoy

Grossman to counter Lucic in front of the net? Someone has to move Lucic from the crease, not sure if anyone else for our D is big enough to

If we are sending out Grossman to counter Lucic he's playing the McDavid line. No thanks lol.

I am excited for this game! Let's gooo.

[Murph]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Grossman will get exposed if he's caught out there when McGiggles is.

I'm happy with everything else though.

Don't know if you came up with this, but I spit my drink on my keyboard when I saw it. It's not on the same level as "The Tenderness", but I think it's got staying power and therefore gets my vote for his nickname going forward.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Here's what the oilers are rocking on D:

Klefbom Larsson
Sekera Russell
Nurse Davidson

That's bottom 5/10 in the league right there

[northcrunk]

Can't wait until the first cross check to McDavid from Tkachuk. Set the tone early.

[Freeway]

Two Ns in Grossmann, guys.

[MarkGio]

I bet my friend that Lucic won't fight tonight. I figured he only gets into 3-5 a year and there's a 1 in 82 chance. So I took that bet and ran.

So I'm hoping for a calm game of hockey

[mrdonkey]

I'm really worried that McSandwich is going to expose our D, since each pairing has a guy on it who skates like he's wading through hip-deep mud.

Nothing else about their roster looks all that threatening though, so unless Talbot has one of his nights I expect a big win to set the tone in their stinky new home.

[Huntingwhale]

I'm not a fan of splitting up Brodano, but l understand why it's being done.

Keep them together and you have an elite 1st pair, good 2nd pair, but a dumpster fire on the bottom pair. Split them up, and you have almost a top pairing guy (except for Hamilton, but he's getting there) on every line. Spread the wealth. Keeps the ice-time in check. Reunite them for the PP and PK.

Also this is only game 1. I think this is being done in order to not ride Brodano to early in the season. I'm certain they will be reunited at some point. Heck, maybe even halfway through this game. But if the Flames can survive splitting them up and still remain competitive and win games, that's a good thing rather then being totally dependant on just the top 4 guys and being scared when 5 and 6 come on the ice.

[djsFlames]

Backlund/Frolik or TBB should be able to take advantage of that Pool Party line, whoever ends up getting minutes against them.