[GDT] Flames vs. Penguins, 7 pm, SNW

[Finger Cookin]

Giordano and Wideman play on the PP of late, with Brodie and Diaz being the second pair.

I wouldn't mix up the even strength pairs for playing against Pittsburgh. And Giordano and Brodie already play enough without being occasionally double shifted on different pairs for 5 on 5 play.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Hopefully we see another strong game by our guys.

That Gaudreau/Monahan duo is fantastic, Hudler just compliments those two so well too.

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
24 players on the ice at #Flames morning skate. Curtis Glencross wearing green, Sam Bennett wearing yellow.

[sureLoss]

Same lineup:

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames lines remain: Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler; Bouma-Backlund-Jones; Raymond-Jooris-Colborne; Bollig-Stajan-Byron

[LanceUppercut]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
24 players on the ice at #Flames morning skate. Curtis Glencross wearing green, Sam Bennett wearing yellow.

Is Wolf skating in a contact jersey? The cut must be healing nicely.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Same lineup:

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames lines remain: Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler; Bouma-Backlund-Jones; Raymond-Jooris-Colborne; Bollig-Stajan-Byron

Considering how they have been playing, really no need to shake the lineup up really.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Flames don't know how to beat the Penguins so I'm not expecting much here. But that's ok, the homestand has already been an awesome success and if they lose tonight they're not helping anyone in the conference. A win to cap off the homestand would just be gravy at this point IMO

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Flames don't know how to beat the Penguins so I'm not expecting much here.

Staying out of the penalty box helps, and the Flames are unusually good at that this season.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Flames don't know how to beat the Penguins so I'm not expecting much here. But that's ok, the homestand has already been an awesome success and if they lose tonight they're not helping anyone in the conference. A win to cap off the homestand would just be gravy at this point IMO

this team has played the pens one time and to be honest I thought they controlled the play for the most part and were unlucky to lose

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by troutman

Staying out of the penalty box helps, and the Flames are unusually good at that this season.

Team speed is a big factor in that one.

[foshizzle11]

I don't think it matters that the Penguins have owned us of late because the Flames are learning how to win even against the better teams in the league.

Tonight will be a good test for them but this isn't a must win. A win would be nice but I think the pressure of the last few games compared to this one will be less. They always want to win but beating Vancouver, SJ, Winnipeg and others around us seem to be more important at this point.

I am expecting a win tonight, they have been playing too well lately. If we do win, it is gravy!

[sureLoss]

Usually indicates the starter

Jason Mackey @Mackey_Trib
Marc-Andre Fleury the first goalie off.

[djsFlames]

The Penguins take almost twice as many penalties a game as the Flames.

Stay out of the box and we'll get our opportunities the other way.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Flames don't know how to beat the Penguins so I'm not expecting much here. ....

I agree with this statement, but it surprises me as I find the Flames play a bit like the Islanders who are the achilles heel of the Penguin team.

[djsFlames]

Also I read comments from Pens fans after the Edmonton game. A lot were not happy with the effort despite the win. Sounded like they coasted a lot in the game. If they take us nearly as lightly, we could bury them before they knew what happened.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Also I read comments from Pens fans after the Edmonton game. A lot were not happy with the effort despite the win. Sounded like they coasted a lot in the game. If they take us nearly as lightly, we could bury them before they knew what happened.

Doubt very much that any teams are taking the Flames lightly anymore. Easy to see though why the Pens would take the Oilers lightly.

[stemit14]

The flames have a lot of excuses to lose this game... They've played a lot of must-win games against opponents they're fighting for a playoff spot for. They've done well in those games and this drop in urgency against the penguins could lead to a let down. The penguins have struggled up until playing the oilers and are likely due for a strong run. The penguins are also a very good team who just got malkin back.

All that said... I think the flames will rise to the occasion tonight. It's the character of this team with guys like Monahan, giordano, gaudreau, and Brodie leading the way.

[dammage79]

Tonight's game isn't a must win. A win is nice and puts em back into 2nd in the west.

I too am not expecting much out of tonight. My recent memories of playing the penguins are not happy ones.

[TapeToTape]

When asked about focusing on Crosby & Malkin, Hartley said something like "We can't act like the pope is in town."

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by TapeToTape

When asked about focusing on Crosby & Malkin, Hartley said something like "We can't act like the pope is in town."

Loved his addition to that quote, that "this game is about us".