April 13 Practice - Bennett on LW. Raymond odd man out?

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am more than comfortable with Bollig suiting up.

I think there are two ways in beating the Canucks - speed and physicality. Canucks aren't really a fast team - they look fast due to their passing (which I think is on an elite-level). How do you counteract that? You finish your checks and give them less options on their set-plays, and you beat them with speed on the counter.

Bollig isn't speedy, but at least he is very physical. Raymond is speedy, but he isn't generating a whole lot. If he isn't generating offence, then replace that with a guy who is at least generating some hits and hopefully some intimidation making them pass the puck a little faster than they would like to. Will be interesting to see how Shore, Bollig and Raymond slot in and out of the lineup this series.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

We can call them Top Gear!

(Too soon, Top Gear fans?)

Well I went to a dirty place. I was thinking the porn term. "They will #### you. It will hurt."

[FlameZilla]

Yeah, considering it's as clear as daylight that Shore is a placeholder for Monahan on the 1st line, we have to be prepared for the probability that Bennett is just filling in for Raymond in a similar fashion.

It's 50/50 at best that we'll see Bennett tomorrow night. I hope we do, but it would be a bold move from Hartley dressing a rookie instead of Mason Raymond. Be bold, Bob. Be bold...

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Yeah, considering it's as clear as daylight that Shore is a placeholder for Monahan on the 1st line, we have to be prepared for the probability that Bennett is just filling in for Raymond in a similar fashion.

The difference is that Monahan and Russell were the only healthy players missing from the practice, so they needed someone to fill in for Monahan. I believe Raymond was there but just the odd man out.

Of course, that could be Hartley trying to light a fire under Raymond, while wanting to see how Bennett fit in on Backlund's line. We'll likely have a better idea at Tuesday's practice. Whoever practices on Backlund's wing will likely start Game One there.

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

There's a beautiful picture nobody other then Aaron Ward predicted at the start of the season. The Flames head coach standing behind the Stanley Cup playoffs backdrop. Beautiful.

I might argue that he is standing in front of the Stanley Cup Playoffs backdrop.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Bollig is a good choice, has lots of experience in the playoffs and likes to play in huge games like these

Don't mind Bolllig in, but "lots" might be overselling it a bit. He was in 3 years, but 2 of those were 4 and 5 games. Then he had a 15 game run. So 24 games.

Mind you, that may be lots on this team. Raymond has over twice as many at 55, Hudler has 66. Aside from that I don't think anyone else has as many.