[GDT] Flames vs Ducks - 2:00 - SNet-W

[Badgers Nose]

Could be really ugly. Hopefully the Ducks are full of Turkey today.

[bubbsy]

backlund has to be up taking monohan's spot. he best make use of it!!!

in the last 7 games, guy has 1 point and is a -6 over that period. if he can't make use of the opportunity, then not sure what his purpose is in the nhl.

[UKflames]

Any news on the expected lines for today??

I saw some in the IR thread for Wideman and Monahan but they were only speculation following the injuries.

[polak]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

backlund has to be up taking monohan's spot. he best make use of it!!!

in the last 7 games, guy has 1 point and is a -6 over that period. if he can't make use of the opportunity, then not sure what his purpose is in the nhl.

Playing on the 4th line...

[puckluck2]

Will feel weird not watching this game live.

[_Q_]

I have a feeling it'll be Colborne taking Monahan's spot and Backlund taking Colborne's spot.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by polak

Playing on the 4th line...

i agree, but at what point do we draw the conclusion that backlund is a secondary player who simply doesn't drive play and make his linemates better? it has also been difficult to justify viewing him as a solid defensive/checking center.

i've been a fan of backlund ever since he was drafted, but continue to wait for him to actually become an effective player at the NHL level. if he isn't looking at monohan's injury as a window of opportunity to prove that he belongs, then i'd be very disappointed. Hopefully today's the start of the turnaround for him.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I have a feeling it'll be Colborne taking Monahan's spot and Backlund taking Colborne's spot.

that would be totally justified. Colborne has been looking great of late.

[cznTiburon]

This would be my best guess for lines:
Cammalleri Stajan Stempniak
Baertschi Backlund Hudler
Bouma Colborne Jones
Jones Byron Reinhart

Brodie Russell
Butler Smid
Obrien Smith

The last line for forwards is a hope, but I would imagine grats will be in and one of Reinhart or Byron will sit

[getbak]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I have a feeling it'll be Colborne taking Monahan's spot and Backlund taking Colborne's spot.

I don't know if that's what will happen, but I think that's probably the best option. It would put some size on the line between Baertschi and Hudler, and I thought Backlund and Bouma showed some good chemistry together a few games ago. Fourth line should be Blair Jones between Reinhart and McGrattan since Jones has more experience as a centre at the NHL level.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Nobody seems to care that this is Jackman's first game against us since the trade? How soon we forget.

Ducks are missing a lot of D-men (Souray, Sbisa, B. Allen, Beauchemin) and Fasth is out. Koivu is a gametime decision. Unless Getzlaff, Perry, and Penner destroy us single-handedly (or Selanne FFS) they should still have a chance. Although, we did see Kane almost destroy us by himself the other night, so yeah...could happen.

I think their top d-pairing is Fowler with Lovejoy or Lindholm. Not a lot of experience there and if the Flames can forecheck at all they should be giving them fits. Perfect time to see Byron-Jones-Reinhart play some significant minutes.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i agree, but at what point do we draw the conclusion that backlund is a secondary player who simply doesn't drive play and make his linemates better? it has also been difficult to justify viewing him as a solid defensive/checking center.

i've been a fan of backlund ever since he was drafted, but continue to wait for him to actually become an effective player at the NHL level. if he isn't looking at monohan's injury as a window of opportunity to prove that he belongs, then i'd be very disappointed. Hopefully today's the start of the turnaround for him.

This is where Stajan was under Sutter. You put him on the 4th line and it's a self-fulfilling prophecy that Backlund proves you right.

Agree with you though that if Backlund doesn't make use of this chance, he is likely out the door. I still think he will show himself to be a very useful player in this league whether it is with the Flames or another team.

[bubbsy]

maybe a dumb question, but why aren't all the day time matchups between american tetams only (where there's a holiday).

Doesn't make much sense to have a canadian team playing during the day time on a canadian business day. Would assume viewership of all american matchups would be a much better value from a attendance/tv-ratings perspective?

[btimbit]

Tim Jackman gets a hat trick

[MyFlamesFirst]

Kind of a random question but I am curious. I understand most of you guys are working and are PVRing the game today. Do you guys still follow the game and see who scores or do you turn off all notifications and watch the game later without knowing the results. Every time I have PVRed a game I don't like to know the results. Am I the only one who does that?

[Galakanokis]

Took yesterday off to drink beer and watch football so today I guess I need to hunker down in my office and get some work done. Good thing I have a "conference call" at 1 so I will have to close the door for a few hours...

[Righteous1]

Wtf 2pm start!? Looks like ill be watching from the gym today

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by MyFlamesFirst

Kind of a random question but I am curious. I understand most of you guys are working and are PVRing the game today. Do you guys still follow the game and see who scores or do you turn off all notifications and watch the game later without knowing the results. Every time I have PVRed a game I don't like to know the results. Am I the only one who does that?

Although I'll be watching live today, if I am PVR-ing the game, I normally try and avoid the result. I usually do this for evening games so I can get dinner over with, get my son to bed, etc. and then pour some wine or scotch. It is hard to do sometimes because you have avoid social media to prevent spoilers, but it is do-able if you have a little bit of discipline.

[MissTeeks]

Its not like it's the first time they have played an afternoon game on US Thanksgiving. There was the great Philly game of 2010 when Steve Staios scored in the third to tie it up and then Philly scored in OT but it was waived off because Pronger got called on an unsportsmanlike conduct call for waving his hand in Kipper face and then we won in the shootout. That game started at like 11 am.

Good times.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I love the afternoon games! Gives me a reason to not be productive