[GDT] Flames @ Sabres 5:00 MST SNW/Fan 960

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

But.... why.....?

Kulak was really bad in Detroit, all over the ice, missing assignments left and right.

He also got rocked in the third period coming across the middle.

Kulak isn't better than Wideman which pains me to actually type.

[ResAlien]

Starting Elliott makes sense, that's what you do against lesser opponents, play your backup. Hopefully he can stop a couple of pucks for once and get the W.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I really don't think we're going to win the battle of having Brodie play the right side with Gio this year.

This means Jokipakka/Kulak are likely going to be the only ones switching in/out of the lineup now. I don't think Joki has ever played the right side, and it would be a nightmare to have Wideman or Engelland on their offside.

And honestly Detroit was the first game this season where I wasn't impressed with Kulak's play (and Engelland for that matter). Good time for GG to get Kevin back playing.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Kulak was really bad in Detroit, all over the ice, missing assignments left and right.

He also got rocked in the third period coming across the middle.

Kulak isn't better than Wideman which pains me to actually type.

Wideman looks like that almost every night. Last night was the first game Kulak looked like he didn't belong.

Wideman is not better than Kulak.

[fire_starter]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Fans need to accept that the Flames aren't likely to erase this giant hole (if they are going to erase it, which is unlikely) with a giant win streak and get it done in one fell swoop. While I'll love it if that happened, and it would be far easier on our mindsets if it did, it's not a reasonable expectation.

This team is going to need to be one of the best teams in hockey from here until the end of the season to erase this deficit and be in the mix come the last 30 days. Melt downs after every loss we take because we feel like we need to string together crazy long win streaks is not going to help.

This team is going to be chasing right to the end if this is going to happen, we need to accept that and not expect perfection.

Have you forgotten we're in the worst division in the league where 4 points separates us from 1st place? Don't write them off.

[devo22]

Projected lineup from the Flames website. Looks like Kulak stays in the lineup and Kevin sits again. No changes except for Elliott.

Sam Bennett - Sean Monahan - Troy Brouwer
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Hunter Shinkaruk - Matt Stajan - Alex Chiasson
Micheal Ferland - Freddie Hamilton - Garnet Hathaway

Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
TJ Brodie - Dennis Wideman
Brett Kulak - Deryk Engelland

Brian Elliott

[Jore]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wideman looks like that almost every night. Last night was the first game Kulak looked like he didn't belong.

Wideman is not better than Kulak.

wideman has been the worst player on the ice for the last few games. three out of the last four goals against are the result of giveaways from him or his not covering anyone or floating out in no man's land.

i don't know where this 'not hurting us' narrative is coming from. he can't pass, he can't defend, he can't skate. all he has is a shot that he barely gets through because he's stuck in his own zone bleeding chances against most of the game.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by devo22

Projected lineup from the Flames website. Looks like Kulak stays in the lineup and Kevin sits again. No changes except for Elliott.

Sam Bennett - Sean Monahan - Troy Brouwer
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Hunter Shinkaruk - Matt Stajan - Alex Chiasson
Micheal Ferland - Freddie Hamilton - Garnet Hathaway

Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
TJ Brodie - Dennis Wideman
Brett Kulak - Deryk Engelland

Brian Elliott

Loubo on FAN 960 confirmed that Jokkipaka is in for Kulak.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Loubo on FAN 960 confirmed that Jokkipaka is in for Kulak.

What pairing will he go too?

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by DJones

What pairing will he go too?

He mentioned he was replacing Kulak directly, so most likely Engelland.

[direwolf]

If the Flames continue their strong play from the last 4 games, this should be a very winnable game.

4-2 Flames.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wideman looks like that almost every night. Last night was the first game Kulak looked like he didn't belong.

Wideman is not better than Kulak.

It was 5 games ago, but worth noting that he was absolutely horrendous against the Rangers. Was on the ice for 4 even strength goals against in 12 mins.

[IntenseFan]

Our top line was hacked to shreds defensively last night. They did better Friday, but that was when we had last change.

I worry about those guys a lot.

[Strange Brew]

This would be an easy game to lose, second night of back to back on the road. So it would be a very nice one to win.

[Stupid]

Elliott is in to prove he earns the starter position back against a team he's historically played well against.

0-3 good guys.

[Demaeon]

Originally Posted by Stupid

Elliott is in to prove he earns the starter position back against a team he's historically played well against.

0-3 good guys.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Demaeon

[devo22]

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by fire_starter

Have you forgotten we're in the worst division in the league where 4 points separates us from 1st place? Don't write them off.

Haven't forgotten, probably the only reason I still have some hope. Still at the end of the day, it always takes about 95pts to make it in. (although maybe it will be as low as last year at 87).

Regardless, we are going to need to put up a pretty impressive win % to make it from now until the end of the year. That said, there are going to be some losses along the way, and getting overly bent out of shape because the Flames haven't erased this self inflicted deficit with one 10 game win streak is going to do nobody any good.