[GDT] Flames @ Blackhawks, 6:30, SN1

[thefoss1957]

TSN's preview wonders if the Flames' D is up to the task of stopping Kane/Panarin, two scorers that have been incredibly hot, so far... http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/game/calgary-f...151115/Preview

Likely Darling in the net for my guys tonight...he was awful in his last start, and hasn't had much work this year.

The only two lines, of the 'Hawks that have been looking any good recently...the 2nd, Panarin/Artisimov/Kane, and the oddly finishing challenged 3rd Shaw/Kruger/Teraveinen, who dominate possession on the forecheck, but, cannot seem to beat the goaltender with even quality chances...

Dano's turn at LW with Toews/Hossa...nobody's shown any chemistry with those two vets, and Hossa's offensive stats have suffered...getting some chances, mostly on stretch pass breakaways, but, like line 3, snakebitten too often...Toews' production has come in special team situations, or, when matched with Kane on broken line changes, or scrambled lines after a special team situation.

Keith looked very good, his first day back...Roszival still looks like a pylon that should have retired in 2013.

Good luck to your guys, and I hope my Flame fan friends here have a great Sunday...I'll be lurking in the GT tonight...Hopefully my Wyf doesn't kill me for OD-ing on sports today...Bears/Rams in 5 minutes

[hockey.modern]

Still not liking our d pairings. Wished Hartley would switch them around

[ClubFlames]

Just win.

[polak]

Polak Optimism Score: 4/10

Gaudreau really needs to bust this minislump. - 4 and nothing else to show for it this week.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by polak

Polak Optimism Score: 4/10

Gaudreau really needs to bust this minislump. - 4 and nothing else to show for it this week.

So that's what P.O.S. stands for....

[Gaskal]

[GranteedEV]

The top 4 pairings are fine. Gio hasn't been at his best but he's still our only other top pair defenseman. Hamilton can help shelter Russell too.

And of course Duncan Keith is back. Couldn't wait another two days, nope.

[direwolf]

This game scares the hell out of me. Have a bad feeling we're gonna get destroyed. I hope I'm wrong.

GO FLAMES!

[Jaydee]

Originally Posted by Blarg

Slaughterfest? Slughterfest.
Unless Ramo becomes the second coming of hasek. Rebound control last game was awful and the Hawks will pounce on them.

I didn't see the game, but Ramo was first star?

[Northendzone]

I'd have to think that this is a game that both teams had circled on their calendar when the schedule was published.

With a win the flames can give the oilers a stranglehold on their 12th consecutive first overall draft pick

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by polak

Polak Optimism Score: 4/10

Gaudreau really needs to bust this minislump. - 4 and nothing else to show for it this week.

I think this is more a case of Gaudreau trying too much to try and impact the game, he definitely hasn't been without chances in this 'mini-slump'. Ultimately I think he benefited when he was split away from Monahan and Hudler who have definitely been colder to start the year, especially Hudler. I think the Flames have a solid unit now in the Bennett-Backlund-Frolik line but I see too often the shutdown lines making life hard on our top line and wouldn't mind seeing them split up again.

Maybe run with:

Gaudreau - Colborne - Jooris
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Stajan - Hudler
Bollig - Grant - Jones

I think Hartley will stick with his Top line of Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler though and I can't really blame him for it with Monahan heating up, they just haven't been able to heat up as a line all together.

[Jaydee]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I think this is more a case of Gaudreau trying too much to try and impact the game, he definitely hasn't been without chances in this 'mini-slump'. Ultimately I think he benefited when he was split away from Monahan and Hudler who have definitely been colder to start the year, especially Hudler. I think the Flames have a solid unit now in the Bennett-Backlund-Frolik line but I see too often the shutdown lines making life hard on our top line and wouldn't mind seeing them split up again.

Maybe run with:

Gaudreau - Colborne - Jooris
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Stajan - Hudler
Bollig - Grant - Jones

I think Hartley will stick with his Top line of Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler though and I can't really blame him for it with Monahan heating up, they just haven't been able to heat up as a line all together.

You want to scratch Monahan?

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Maybe run with:

Gaudreau - Colborne - Jooris
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Stajan - Hudler
Bollig - Grant - Jones

Is Monahan benched, waived, or traded in this scenario?

[wired]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I think this is more a case of Gaudreau trying too much to try and impact the game, he definitely hasn't been without chances in this 'mini-slump'. Ultimately I think he benefited when he was split away from Monahan and Hudler who have definitely been colder to start the year, especially Hudler. I think the Flames have a solid unit now in the Bennett-Backlund-Frolik line but I see too often the shutdown lines making life hard on our top line and wouldn't mind seeing them split up again.

Maybe run with:

Gaudreau - Colborne - Jooris
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Stajan - Hudler
Bollig - Grant - Jones

I think Hartley will stick with his Top line of Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler though and I can't really blame him for it with Monahan heating up, they just haven't been able to heat up as a line all together.

Maybe just sit Hudler for a game.....seems so lazy at times.

[Heavy Jack]

The saddest part is I actually mention how Monahan is heating up AND I came back and read it after posting. Im not even gonna edit it, that's gold Jerry, gold!

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I think this is more a case of Gaudreau trying too much to try and impact the game, he definitely hasn't been without chances in this 'mini-slump'. Ultimately I think he benefited when he was split away from Monahan and Hudler who have definitely been colder to start the year, especially Hudler. I think the Flames have a solid unit now in the Bennett-Backlund-Frolik line but I see too often the shutdown lines making life hard on our top line and wouldn't mind seeing them split up again.

Maybe run with:

Gaudreau - Colborne - Jooris
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Stajan - Hudler
Bollig - Grant - Jones

I think Hartley will stick with his Top line of Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler though and I can't really blame him for it with Monahan heating up, they just haven't been able to heat up as a line all together.

Uhm... a hundred better ways to "shake up the top lines" not that it's necessary right now...

Gaudreau-Monahan-Jooris
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Hudler-Stajan-Jones
Ferland-Grant-Colborne

Gaudreau-Monahan-Jones
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Hudler-Stajan-Jooris
Ferland-Grant-Colborne

Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Gaudreau-Jooris-Hudler
Ferland-Monahan-Jones
Colborne-Stajan-Grant

Gaudreau-Bennett-Jooris
Ferland-Monahan-Frolik
Hudler-Backlund-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Grant

Gaudreau-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Monahan-Jooris
Hudler-Backlund-Jones
Colborne-Stajan-Grant

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm genuinely surprised nobody has mentioned this picture yet. Does nobody know who this particular Blackhawk is/was?

That's right, none other than Tom Erixon.

You'd think with all the hateful talk he gets around here people would at least know what he looks like.

[Finger Cookin]

I thought Tom was just a ghost story the Flames organization tells to prospects to warn them about meddling parents?

"Don't let your parents control your career, kids, or you could wind up like the ghost of Tom Erixon!"

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I thought Tom was just a ghost story the Flames organization tells to prospects to warn them about meddling parents?

"Don't let your parents control your career, kids, or you could wind up like the ghost of Tom Erixon!"

There are some who say that if you listen close on a cold winter's night, you can still hear the ghost of old Tom wailing upon the wind, all the way from the AHL...

[thefoss1957]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm genuinely surprised nobody has mentioned this picture yet. Does nobody know who this particular Blackhawk is/was?

That's right, none other than Tom Erixon.

You'd think with all the hateful talk he gets around here people would at least know what he looks like.

Erixon had a similarly forgettable 'Hawks' tenure!