[GDT] Flames @ Coyotes, 7 pm, SNW

[spetch]

If a guy was stuck in downtown Vancouver, where abouts would he be able to watch the game (after the canuck game I would assume)?

[Enoch Root]

If Ortio wins again tonight, and looks good doing it, I think you have to give him another game.

Play him until he loses. If he goes on a run, he puts them right back into the playoff picture (and lights a fire under Hiller's arse)

[Max Cow Disease]

Raymond mustn't be very confident these days. Scratched again by the looks of things, and really hasn't looked impactful in any way since returning from injury. As I mentioned in another thread, there's a reason Hartley consistently seems to favour Byron right now, and it's because he at least demonsrates a certain minimum threshold of intensity from night to night. Plays the body, uses his speed (for fruitless breakaways mind you), and is making at least marginally smarter decisions with the puck. Raymond isn't at all using his speed, and without it is relegated to the status of fluff perimeter non-contributor.

Interesting to see how Shore manages, especially alongside his buddy Joe. Some big bodies that could be fun to watch alongside Boums.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by AcGold

With Dallas and Colorado both on our heels I bet this road trip decides our fate.

Games over 500:

VAN 8
SJS 7
LAK 6
CAL 4
DAL 3
COL 1

With a really good road trip, we pass LA (assuming that means we beat them) and maybe SJ. With a bad one, we pass Dallas and maybe even Colorado.

Yeah, this is a big trip.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think Sean Monahan is a key player on this trip. His slump is getting lengthy, but the amount of iron he's hit of late suggests his chances are still good. As a streak scorer, getting one tonight could make a huge difference on this trip ... could have 4 in 4 by the time they land in YYC.

Ortio interesting too.

Guessing he's going back to NY State for the Baby Flames next game on Saturday, but what if he's named first star again tonight?

Yup. Hopefully he breaks out tonight.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Games over 500:

VAN 8
SJS 7
LAK 6
CAL 4
DAL 3
COL 1

With a really good road trip, we pass LA (assuming that means we beat them) and maybe SJ. With a bad one, we pass Dallas and maybe even Colorado.

Yeah, this is a big trip.

You are assuming none of those teams win over the same time.

But yes it's an important trip for sure.

[puckedoff]

I think Smith is going to play well tonight. Trading Duby wasn't really a vote of confidence but knowing that he's the only goalie they've got now may renew his focus.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Weitz

You are assuming none of those teams win over the same time.

But yes it's an important trip for sure.

Not really. As I said, I assumed we beat LA in the 'good trip' scenario. If so, that game puts us at 5 and them at 5. Assuming we have a good trip (i.e. 3 out of 4 or something like that), then there is a good chance that we find ourselves ahead of them at the end of it.

SJ would require some help - we'd need them to lose 2 or 3 over the next week.

Conversely, if we go 1-3 for instance, that would leave us 2 games over and it is not hard to imagine that Colorado wins a couple and goes past us.

Hard to see, the future is... always in motion

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by spetch

If a guy was stuck in downtown Vancouver, where abouts would he be able to watch the game (after the canuck game I would assume)?

The Score on Davie or BPs on Homer. Depends what part of downtown you are located

[spetch]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

The Score on Davie or BPs on Homer. Depends what part of downtown you are.

I am staying at the Pacific Rim

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

If Ortio wins again tonight, and looks good doing it, I think you have to give him another game.

Play him until he loses. If he goes on a run, he puts them right back into the playoff picture (and lights a fire under Hiller's arse)

I believe the word you were looking for with all those "If's" was "When".

I have more confidence in Ortio then Hiller and Ramo combined. Plus, the Coyotes are really hurting right now. They are starting to make Edmonton look less no good.

[GioforPM]

You have to send Ortio down when Ramo is off IR. Hartley won't stand for 3 goalies - he's already said so. Ramo would have to go through waivers. you don't want to trade Ramo under that pressure. Even if you want Ortio up for the rest of the season, better to send Ortio down, work out a trade without the pressure, then recall Ortio.

I also have confidence that both Ramo and Hiller will go on some streaks like they did earlier.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

You have to send Ortio down when Ramo is off IR. Hartley won't stand for 3 goalies - he's already said so. Ramo would have to go through waivers. you don't want to trade Ramo under that pressure. Even if you want Ortio up for the rest of the season, better to send Ortio down, work out a trade without the pressure, then recall Ortio.

I also have confidence that both Ramo and Hiller will go on some streaks like they did earlier.

Yes, he doesn't like 3 goalies (who does), but we're only talking a week or two here. No one is talking the rest of the season.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

You have to send Ortio down when Ramo is off IR. Hartley won't stand for 3 goalies - he's already said so. Ramo would have to go through waivers. you don't want to trade Ramo under that pressure. Even if you want Ortio up for the rest of the season, better to send Ortio down, work out a trade without the pressure, then recall Ortio.

I also have confidence that both Ramo and Hiller will go on some streaks like they did earlier.

Eh, if Ortio plays well enough we just leave Ramo in Phoenix and keep going on. Phoenix is desperate for a good goalie right now and Ramo would fit the bill.

(And yes, I do mean this semi-seriously. Maloney has been told to dump salary and Ramo is a UFA at the end of the year. He's a longer term rental, but it's needed as Smith is playing terrible, Dubnyk was holding up the team and they have recalled an ECHL goalie to back up Smith because one of the AHL ones had season ending surgery and the other is too green. They have goaltending problems, Ramo could solve some of them and we could probably fetch one of their young D-men for him)

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Eh, if Ortio plays well enough we just leave Ramo in Phoenix and keep going on. Phoenix is desperate for a good goalie right now and Ramo would fit the bill.

(And yes, I do mean this semi-seriously. Maloney has been told to dump salary and Ramo is a UFA at the end of the year. He's a longer term rental, but it's needed as Smith is playing terrible, Dubnyk was holding up the team and they have recalled an ECHL goalie to back up Smith because one of the AHL ones had season ending surgery and the other is too green. They have goaltending problems, Ramo could solve some of them and we could probably fetch one of their young D-men for him)

I would even take Michalek from them. Pending UFA for Pending UFA.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I would even take Michalek from them. Pending UFA for Pending UFA.

Only if he comes with a supply of bubble wrap. He's just a older, slightly smaller Smid. He's always sitting out with an injury because of how reckless he defends.

We ask for Connor Murphy. 6'4", 212lbs right handed shooting D.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

Is Orts the confirmed starter?

Yes Hartley confirmed Ortio starts tonite.

I wouldn't take these two points for granted - the Flames need to play well to get the much needed W.

[P-DAZZLE]

Originally Posted by spetch

I am staying at the Pacific Rim

G Sports Bar and Grill on Granville St. is the only place I would guarantee you can get it on even while it is overlapping with a Canucks game. They have tons of screens and will always put things on for you. A lot of other places have their TVs set so that they can only show two or three things at once and they don't want to change multiple screens so you'll likely be stuck.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by spetch

If a guy was stuck in downtown Vancouver, where abouts would he be able to watch the game (after the canuck game I would assume)?

Not sure if there's anything good in here, but fwiw:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=135263

[Bingo]

The Raymond scratchings with Setoguchi and McGrattan in the AHL have certainly proved the Flames "never given, always earned" bumper sticker is something they take very seriously.

Add in the fact that Ortio is basically assured an NHL spot in October anyway, and I could see the team stepping up efforts to make room for him right now if he keeps on playing well.

The world has this "Flames be carried by their goaltenders" feel from October and that Hiller stoning in Chicago, but the bottom line is the Flames have had very average goaltending thus far (ranked 21st). So if they think they can get a 3% save percentage boost from Ortio, when you're 2 points out of a playoff spot you'd better go with it.