[GDT] Gio, Bort, and Gus take on Boston at 5PM

[genetic_phreek]

One of the things I think is highly underrated and underappreciated with defenseman is being able to get the puck to the net through defenders which I think Gustafsson is really great at. I'm looking forward to see him do this.

Most people might think I'm crazy to suggest this and I understand it's not conventional to bring a 4th line up to 1st line but one thing I'd like to see is Jankowski in Monahans role for a few games. Here's my justification:

Jankowski is big like Monahan, speed is similar, has a great shot, has shown the ability to score playing on the bottom 6 but I don't ever recall him getting a look on the top 6. What I think he excels vs Monahan is he's better defensively. He already has ice-time with Lindholm on the PK as well. Also this would be another way to see if Monahan could drive his own line. If that works, we could possibly have a decent mix.

Gaudreau - Jankowski - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Mangiapane
Bennett - Monahan - Dube
Lucic - Ryan - Rieder

[timbit]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Definitely not an optometrist.

I can see that.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think Lucic-Ryan have shown chemistry, and Dube-Bennett have shown chemistry.

Personally I'd be running with:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Mangiapane - Backlund - Tkachuk
Dube - Bennett - Czarnik
Lucic - Ryan - Reider
Jankowski

Send down Rinaldo.

Yes.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Does he really? The thing I have appreciated the most about Lucic since he arrived is how great a passer he is. He is frequently the one making tape-to-tape reads through traffic to get the puck off the boards and onto the stick of one of his line mates to get it out of the zone. I suppose Bennett has more raw skill, but I still question his ability to think the game at speed and make good decisions. He has been much better lately, but Lucic's vision is fairly under-appreciated.

Agreed. Bennett is great at passing into the back of a guy's skates though.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Send down Rinaldo.

Rinaldo is with Calgary for the rest of the season. He can't be sent down because the Flames did not have him on the AHL roster before the deadline.

[Toonage]

Lots of confusion over rosters/caps it seems. Even Nault was barking this morning about the Flames having to make a roster move with Gio back.

Nope.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by The Professor

For sure, I agree. It doesn’t make a huge impact on the team one way or the other. BUT it does make a difference to Sam Bennett.

And it is also fun to think about and talk about. So that Is worth something.

[pepper24]

Flames have let in 8 goals twice this month. Hopefully 2 additions, Gio back and Kylington/Stone sitting help keep our goals down.

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Well there's a surprise, Bennett moved back the wing and the 4th line despite playing well and engaged at centre. Kid just cant get a break.

He was being showcased ahead of trade deadline and now back to normal programming. That and Ryan being sick.

[Galakanokis]

I have really liked Bennett at center between Lucic and Dube, they have been positive in every game so I hate to see them switched up. I do like Ryan but Bennett was making plays and gaining confidence so I hope he can continue that on the wing but in general I do not like this move.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by heep223

This is my favourite lineup of the year.

I agree, I would just prefer Rinaldo over Rieder and still have Bennett cantering the third line.

[EN FUEGO]

I had a vivid dream last night in which Lucic scored a hat trick in this game against his old team. The announcer said it was a "natural hat trick", but based on my recollection he had gotten his own rebound at least once. Not a regular occurrence for me, so I'm just gonna go ahead and put this on the record here just in case.

I am hoping for 5-3 Flames with Gustaffson making a big impact....hope to see those new power plays in action early and often!

[foshizzle11]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1232352364029448194

It will be good to see some fresh blood, I hope he plays a heavy game for us and provides some much needed muscle for us on the back end. Hopefully that "them" at the end of his quote turns into us/our team.

I'm really excited to watch this game tonight!

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by MrMike

I agree, I would just prefer Rinaldo over Rieder and still have Bennett cantering the third line.

I know he's not the best skater, but cantering... actually, yeah, that's a pretty good description when he has the puck.

[Beatle17]

I thought Bennett had played better over the last few games also, but all the complaining before the game is just so people can say "I told you so" if the Flames don't win. It doesn't matter who is on the 3rd or 4th line, if the top 2 lines play well the Flames can win, same as the Bruins. Boston only wants the 3rd and 4th to play even and rely on Bergeron and Krejci lines to win games.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I know he's not the best skater, but cantering... actually, yeah, that's a pretty good description when he has the puck.

Had to look up the definition, made me chuckle. Great autocorrect.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by MrMike

I agree, I would just prefer Rinaldo over Rieder and still have Bennett cantering the third line.

I'd prefer if Bennett galloped instead of a cantered.

[Manhattanboy]

Great to have Gio back.

The reality is we needed help on D big time. There were others available but obviously at higher prices that Tre was unwilling to pay.

I like the injection of new blood and enthusiasm into an exhausted defense corps.

[djsFlames]

Any guy that uses "fellas" in formal discussion is a winner in my book.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

LMAO I cannot be the only one who reads "Bort" and sees this: