[GDT] Flames vs. Panthers, 7 pm, SN1

[Finger Cookin]

@Fan960Steinberg
Smid back in tonight. Has missed the last 10 games with an upper body injury. #Flames

[MissTeeks]

Morning Skate Report:

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=747865

Sean Monahan has been tasked with going head-to-head with the opposition's top lines all season and he has relished that opportunity.
However, in his quest to play a sound defensive game, his offensive production has taken a bit of a dip. Monahan has points in four of his last 10 outings and has no goals in that span.
During practice, head coach Bob Hartley pulled the 20-year-old aside to talk about his recent production.
"I reminded him it was okay for him to go on the offence," Hartley said with a grin. "He's been collecting points but he's such a great young man, he's so committed to whatever coach is going to tell him. He follows it by the letter. He's the ultimate team guy. We're going to build something very solid with him.
"I told him, 'Mony, you need to explore a little bit, the offensive side of the game.' I'm not trying to make a checker out of Sean Monahan, by no means."

The pivot acknowledged that his focus has been primarily on the defensive side of the game and he is hoping to generate a bit more in the offensive zone.
"I think maybe I've been focused too much on trying to shut them down. I've got to start putting the puck in the net more and create some more offensive."

After missing 10 games with an upper body injury, defenceman Ladislav Smid will return to the lineup this evening.
"Smid is a competitor and had some great days at practice. I talked to him this morning and he wants to go and we need him," Hartley said.
While no one wants to be sidelined, Smid's injury came at an opportune time. He and his wife welcomed twins over the holiday season and he has been able to settle into his new role as a father over the past few weeks.
"[My wife] was really happy I was able to spend some time at home and at the hospital so I guess it worked out."

Tonight's game features two candidates for the Calder Trophy in Johnny Gaudreau and Aaron Ekblad. Both are in the midst of tremendous seasons and are drawing rave reviews from around the League.
"I think it's a great match-up," Hartley said. "I'm sure for the fans - for everyone - it's great because I really believe that the rookie of the year will be between those guys and [Filip] Forsberg.
"We have two out of three on the same sheet of ice. They're going to match-up one against the other so I think for the fans, for you guys, even for myself, it's going to be lots of fun."
The rookies have squared off once this season, with Gaudreau registering three points and Ekblad picking up two helpers in a 6-4 Flames win on Nov. 8.
"We're both in our rookie seasons and it's a learning experience for both of us," Gaudreau stated. "It's exciting to play against another player who is kind of in the same shoes as you."

[Eric]

Originally Posted by jaginla

Monahan on Hudreau's line is going to be pretty sweet to watch.

Is this actually a thing?

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Eric

Is this actually a thing?

No.

[remember2004]

I want Johnny to dance around Ekblad

[calgarywinning]

Why is everyone talking about the Panthers? Don't you read the Calgary Sun?!?!

[djsFlames]

This is a must win. Thank god LA lost last night. I was pretty disappointed with their second period vs the Wings, particularly the PP, which showed no urgency. We had a couple chances to go ahead, instead we squandered our advantages with uninspired play and waited for them to go up 2-1 until we actually started playing. That habit needs to stop.

The only way we'll have a shot at hockey into April is if Giordano and Brodie get back to their level they were at in october and november. They used to be difference makers for us, now they've stopped pressing offensively. And Wideman isn't being a beast for us on the PP either. Our active defence was the team's best weapon and the difference on most nights, because then it wasn't always up to the forwards to come up with the big goals.

We need our defence to step up their offence. I don't know if Bob has told them to play more conservatively but they're not activating so intelligently like they were. Brodie would join rushes like an extra forward, help the forwards cycle the puck and get a shot, then still get back to be responsible at the other end because of his great legs. Where's that part of his game gone? He was so good at that. Now I just don't see it. Lately on rushes we don't have that second wave of d-men pressing deep, and we'll just forfeit the puck and end up in our own zone seconds later. It could really help our possession game if our d-men got back to doing what helped make us good team early on.

Honestly, I think that's the key. I don't know what's changed, but something on that end has. We look pretty ordinary without our D making things happen.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

This is a must win. Thank god LA lost last night. I was pretty disappointed with their second period vs the Wings, particularly the PP, which showed no urgency. We had a couple chances to go ahead, instead we squandered our advantages with uninspired play and waited for them to go up 2-1 until we actually started playing. That habit needs to stop.

The only way we'll have a shot at hockey into April is if Giordano and Brodie get back to their level they were at in october and november. They used to be difference makers for us, now they've stopped pressing offensively. And Wideman isn't being a beast for us on the PP either. Our active defence was the team's best weapon and the difference on most nights, because then it wasn't always up to the forwards to come up with the big goals.

We need our defence to step up their offence. I don't know if Bob has told them to play more conservatively but they're not activating so intelligently like they were. Brodie would join rushes like an extra forward, help the forwards cycle the puck and get a shot, then still get back to be responsible at the other end because of his great legs. Where's that part of his game gone? He was so good at that. Now I just don't see it. Lately on rushes we don't have that second wave of d-men pressing deep, and we'll just forfeit the puck and end up in our own zone seconds later. It could really help our possession game if our d-men got back to doing what helped make us good team early on.

Honestly, I think that's the key. I don't know what's changed, but something on that end has. We look pretty ordinary without our D making things happen.

I think the reason they aren't making as much of a difference lately is that teams have identified them as targets and are writing up gameplans to address that risk.

[hummdeedoo]

Flames lineup tonight (Derek Wills):

FORWARDS
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Raymond-Backlund-Byron
Glencross-Granlund-Colborne
Bouma-Stajan-Jones
DEFENCE
Brodie - Giordano
Russell - Wideman
Smid - Engelland
GOAL
Jonas Hiller
Joni Ortio

[heep223]

Roll those lines. Interested to see if Granlund can get things going with Glennie and Colborne.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by heep223

Roll those lines. Interested to see if Granlund can get things going with Glennie and Colborne.

The nice thing bout that line is it can put Colborne back at center and let Granlund be a winger, which might be more to his strengths right now.

[polak]

How did Raymond get bumped up over Glencross? One goal and a bad game...

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[heep223]

Originally Posted by polak

How did Raymond get bumped up over Glencross? One goal and a bad game...

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in who got bumped up or down here. Scoring line obvious. Energy line obvious. Remaining are middle six in whatever combination that has the best chemistry.

[FBI]

I'm glad Colborne is off the Johnny line. He's decent but holds the puck quite a bit and is not nearly as creative as Johnny.

[dammage79]

I concur with swapping J.Hockey off of Colbornes line. They've been disjointed as a pair since the beginning of the season. Colborne worked best with Raymond and Johnny works better with Hudler and Jooris/Granlund.

I know it's a process but I hope the coaching staff finally keyed in on this point.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I concur with swapping J.Hockey off of Colbornes line. They've been disjointed as a pair since the beginning of the season. Colborne worked best with Raymond and Johnny works better with Hudler and Jooris/Granlund.

I know it's a process but I hope the coaching staff finally keyed in on this point.

I agree. When Jooris is back, I think a Raymond - Jooris - Colborne line would be solid as our 3rd line.

[btimbit]

Love the lines.

[hwy19man]

Centre Ice channels for:
Friday, January 9
Florida at Calgary, 1900h Mountain
Flames feed in red

Game is on Sportsnet One in Canada, therefore it is not on Centre Ice.

USA
Indemand - Game 4 SD Game HD4
Directv - 775 SD 775-1 HD
Dish - 577 SD 9545 HD Hopper Channel 475-05

Sirius Radio-- Internet 926
XM Radio-- XM 221
SXM Radio-- SXM 221

[dammage79]

Anyone else having issue loading up SN960 on their PC? Won't load up for me.