[GDT] Flames @ Oilers, 8:00 PM MDT. Sportsnet, Fan 960

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yikes just looked it up.

They've lost the last 7 season openers, and have only one won of the last 14

DUE

I hope they are due.

I expect a loss, but as long as its with a really good compete level, i will be ok.

If it resembles any part of last years opener, I will be worried.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I hope they are due.

I expect a loss, but as long as its with a really good compete level, i will be ok.

If it resembles any part of last years opener, I will be worried.

The only thing that should worry any fan after tonight is if an important player is injured. It's game #1—while it counts for two (or three) points in the standings a team's season NEVER stands or falls on their performance in the first game of an 82-game-season.

Don't worry. Be happy.

[CaptainCrunch]

I tend to get a bit charged up for these games by going over to that other forum and lurking in that other teams area.

Oiler fans are unlikealbe and incredibly arrogant about this team. They are also happy that there is a prospect of the Flames leaving Calgary.

They deserve nothing good, they deserve to have their new building collapse due to the rot out of its structural reports because of over exposure to urine. They deserve to have their team lose every game and have McDavid and Draisaitl tell them they suck as fans and its time to go.

they deserve the triumphant return of Lowe and Mac-T to power.

suck it Edmonton, Your city and your team and you need a healthy dose of cleansing fire.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Hatter

Without being able to match lines and keep Backlund water-skiing behind McDavid this will be a tough test.

Yeah, not really filled with confidence about this game. Basically all we can do is have 3M & Gio/Dougie take all the d-zone face-offs and just trap any other time 97 is on the ice.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Yeah, not really filled with confidence about this game. Basically all we can do is have 3M & Gio/Dougie take all the d-zone face-offs and just trap any other time 97 is on the ice.

But there will still be almost 30 mins of game time where Collie McDoggie is on the bench.

[bubbsy]

Woohooooo, Opening night of the NHL season!!!! So happy it's finally here.

We've had painful openers for years, particularly to these oilers. What i remember from those is that the oilers come out with their young skilled guys going 110% and the flames as a team, but especially their Defense being completely lost, and the flames are behind by at least a couple early in the first.

I would really like to see a boring, boring 10 minute start to this game. Lot's of whistles, stoppages. Lot's of dump ins, and the flames mucking up the puck along the boards. Once everyone's got their legs a bit, and the team not already behind, the crowd sort of quieted down, the game is there for the taking.

My biggest fear this year is how long it takes our Defense to play in an organized, shutdown way. If it takes them their usual first 20 games, it doesn't help the new goaltenders get into any kind of rhythm (is that the hardest word in English to spell!?!?) or build up any confidence. Win or lose, i'd like to see the defensive play be sharp.

Go Flames Go!

[Coach]

Man people are downers.

Edmonton sucks. Go Flames!

[TBone290]

IT's GO TIME!!

[kukkudo]

3-1 Edmonton, Flames seem lay an egg in season openers.

[Flash Walken]

Oilers defense next level bad.

Flames ornery coming off the bag skate and win.

Flames win 5-2

[GioforPM]

Smith plays great, defence steps up big time. 4-1 Flames. Scorers: Monahan, Ferland, Backlund, Smith (ENG).

[Tron_fdc]

Flames have an opportunity here to go in to edm, win decisively, and cast doubt all over these ridiculous Stanley Cup predictions.

Win tonight with solid goaltending, special teams and strong showings through the lineup, and watch the Flames breathe a sigh of relief.

Then sit back and watch panic ensue up North.

[bax]

You guys are crazy with the pessimism in this thread! Flames are winning tonight. Get used to it everybody!

4-1. Johnny x2 Brodie Bennett

[alan21]

Ah nothing like breaking out the Flames gear for another brand new season.

[REDVAN]

Ok I'll predict the score.

1-0 Flames, Bouwer with the goal.

[Caged Great]

I'll go with 7-3 for Cal ga ree

[Bingo]

Just think of the changes from a calendar year ago ...

1) Top line had a guy with a contract impasse, a guy with a bad back, and a guy that hadn't met his teammates
2) 3M didn't exist yet
3) Gulutzan had a three good D with three bad D plan going into the season, this year they have 5 good D
4) Elliott had the yips
5) Oilers were opening a new building

Different season.

We bet on two and three goal wins for the Flames tonight on a betting site.

[savardandjokinen]

The only thing I don't like is the 4th line. Janko and Lazar should be in. But the 4th line doesn't make a difference. Can't wait for Jagr, but let's just focus on destroying the Oilers.

[united]

McDavid's line must be licking their chops looking at the Flames' awful third pairing and whatever that fourth line is - please don't ice the puck ever. The in-game coaching matchup will be fun to watch with the Flames presumably doing everything possible to avoid any of those five being out there against him.

On the contrary, the Oilers have one legitimate pairing on defence so the Flames will get favourable matchups regardless of any coaching tactics. Forechecking the 2nd and 3rd pairings aggressively will result in turnovers and icings.

Excited for tonight - about time the Flames broke their season-opener curse and what better team to do it against than the most overrated team in the NHL.

[AC]

Flames ruin the Oilers home opener.

7-2.