[GDT] Flames @ Blues, 6:00 PM MDT. Sportsnet 360, the Fan 960

[Puppet Guy]

Talk about no rest for the wicked - fresh off of last night's game, the boys are back at it on the banks of the Mississippi tonight against the Blues.

Projected lineups (courtesy of www.dailyfaceoff.com. Subject to change or blending)

Flames

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Lazar
Versteeg-Stajan-Brouwer

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone

Lack (unconfirmed)

Blues

Schwartz-Schenn-Tarasenko
Sobotka-Stastny-Steen
Paajarvi-Sundqvist-Bennett
Upshall-Brodziak-Thorburn

Edmundson-Pietrangelo
Gunnarsson-Parayko
Dunn-Bortuzzo

Allen (unconfirmed)

Following last night's come-from-behind victory, Our Hero celebrates with a little pinata party. And anticipating a new chapter in the legend of Eddie Lack, a special guest star urges confidence in our back-up:

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[CaptainCrunch]

Probably as good a night as any to get Lack some time in net.

[Vinny01]

I think they have to play Lack but I don’t get the feeling there is any confidence there.

[The Fonz]

Very excited to see that 3rd line again. Bennett looked fantastic last night against the Preds, and nearly scored the GOTY, and Jankowski looked solid as well, was very effective in using his reach and size to win puck battles.

3-2 Flames

[kukkudo]

Flames can win this one if they stay out of the box. If the play like yesterday minus the dumb penalties they should win.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think they have to play Lack but I don’t get the feeling there is any confidence there.

I wouldn't say the coach isn't confident in him. It's still early in the season, the players shouldn't be exhausted from workload, and Smith is hotttttt. Personally I'd like to see Lack play, but I have no issue if Smith is in net either.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think they have to play Lack but I don’t get the feeling there is any confidence there.

As mentioned, don't know if it's a lack of confidence in Lack so much as it is that Smith is as good as can be right now.

[TheFlamesVan]

I want to see Lack's pads in action as much as the rest of you (even though they are backwards). But the Flames having 2/3 goalies in a season for the last few years isn't normal. This is normal. We have a legitimate starting NHL goalie, and a backup goalie. Lack will get in on occasion when Smith needs a break.

Smith is especially unique as taking him out completely changes the breakout.

[Otto-matic]

Ew really SNET360. Looks like Im watching the game in 240P

[Toonage]

Start Lack.

If the Flames win, awesome. If they lose, they're 5-5 and still better than last year at this time. I'll take it.

Also, I'd put Hamilton in for Stajan.

[dissentowner]

For good luck

[Toonage]

I think you mean for good Lack.

I'll see myself out.

[HalifaxDrunk]

[868904]

Would like to see Freddie Hamilton or Tanner Glass in for Stajan. Some fresh legs in for the old vet would be good, plus Stajan wasn't that great last night.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Anduril

As mentioned, don't know if it's a lack of confidence in Lack so much as it is that Smith is as good as can be right now.

The morning show guys suggested that Lack had not been good in practice before the Canucks game (the last time he was rumoured to start), but he's been better lately.

Warrener still figures that you give Smith the start, then a longer break with a Lack start after this game.

[Johnny Makarov]

Lazar needs to see the press box for a few games. and stay about 10 hours after practice to work on his shot. He redefines the term hands of stone.

[Coach]

Lack's gear is super 90's and I love it. I wish he has a Kidd-style mask.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Lazar needs to see the press box for a few games. and stay about 10 hours after practice to work on his shot. He redefines the term hands of stone.

No way...keep that line together. If nothing else he provides energy which is more than I can say about some other guys.

[MillerTime GFG]

Don't really want to start a new thread for this, so why not in here on a game day? Doughty, Kopitar & Brown debating who will mark Karlsson in OT:

http://www.thehockeybible.net/nhl/do...-is-hilarious/

Pretty funny.

[djsFlames]

The bottom six were getting killed in both scoring and advanced stats leading up to yesterday's game. With the addition of Jankowski and Bennett on the wing, the third line looks improved. That just leaves the 4th line in need of improvement. Stajan's been a good Flame but it's probably about time to hang them up. His line is getting sunk and that starts with him. Even Glass I'm not big on. Hamilton and Hathaway (if Versteeg is in the top 9) should probably be the guys skating alongside Brouwer. Hathaway was the best skater in game one and has lit it up in the A since going down too. Another player not where he should be. Sadly Stajan's contract is holding up some needed progress at the bottom of the line up. Having a 4th line that has jump and can cycle in the offensive zone would be a help when the first line comes on, as opposed to a slower 4th line that gets worked.

Point though is improve that 4th line and this team really has the potential to roll.