[GDT] Flames @ Islanders, 5:00 PM, MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[Puppet Guy]

Well, can't win 'em all. Moving on from Friday's loss, the Flames travel to Brooklyn to meet the Islanders.


Some table-setting (www.calgaryflames.com)

The Islanders enter Sunday's game following a wild 7-6 overtime at home against the Red Wings. Trailing 5-2 with just over 10 minutes left in the third period, the Islanders scored four goals on the same powerplay after Tyler Bertuzzi of the Red Wings took a match penalty against Cal Clutterbuck. Mike Green tied it 6-6 in the final minute of regulation, but Brock Nelson scored the overtime winner to complete a hat-trick and give the Islanders their first win in three outings. Jordan Eberle, Anders Lee, Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey also scored for the Islanders, while rookie Mathew Barzal had five assists. Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss allowed five goals on 32 shots before Jaroslav Halak replaced him in the third period. Halak made six saves on seven shots and was credited with the win … The Islanders have now had their last four games decided by a single goal … The four goals on a single powerplay is an Islanders record.

This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the Flames and Islanders. The clubs split last year's season series, with the home team winning each time. Thomas Hickey scored the overtime winner in a 2-1 decision in New York in late November. In early March, the Flames used a four-goal first period to extend a winning streak to seven games with a 5-2 victory. Monahan led all Flames with three points (2G+1A) in two games against the Islanders while John Tavares had a team-best three points (2G+1A) for New York … The two teams will have their second meeting on Sunday, March 11 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Flames projected lineup (www.calgaryflames.com)

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Hathaway
Lomberg - Stajan - Lazar

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone

Smith

Islanders projected lineup (www.dailyfaceoff.com)

Lee - Tavares - Bailey
Bauvillier - Barzal - Eberle
Ladd - Nelson - Clutterbuck
Johnston - Cizekas - Chimera

Leddy - Boychuk
Hickey - Pulock
Pelech - Aho

Halak


(apologies to William Golding )

...after the crash, Sparky and his Isles pals were alone, save for The Beast. But there was no Beast...simply a psychotic puppet and his associates:

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[Oling_Roachinen]

Barzal coming off his 5 point night against the Red Wings. His third 5 point night of the season, as a rookie. Imagine giving up the pick that he was drafted with for an AHL defenseman....

[Flames1217]

Bennett should have a big game. Most likely has been challenged by the staff after he among others lost us tge match agaisnt the rags.

[killer_carlson]

Any word on whether the Islanders have something planned for Hamonic?

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Barzal coming off his 5 point night against the Red Wings. His third 5 point night of the season, as a rookie. Imagine giving up the pick that he was drafted with for an AHL defenseman....

First rookie in 100 years to pull of such a feat. An incredible rookie season he is having. One of the best in recent memory.

Surprisingly, the Isles are 2nd in GF this season. Flames are going to have to be extra careful trying to play a run and gun game. You look at the Isles lineup on paper and wouldn't imagine them to score like they can. But they have great top end C depth with Tavares and Barzal down the middle.

[SportsJunky]

Islanders allow lots of goals. They are capable of scoring lots of goals too. If the Flames can play a solid team game and Smith does his ‘thing’, Calgary can hopefully score more than they let in. Don’t get caught trying to play river hockey with these guys.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Barzal coming off his 5 point night against the Red Wings. His third 5 point night of the season, as a rookie. Imagine giving up the pick that he was drafted with for an AHL defenseman....

Even giving up the pick that could have drafted him for a young top pairing d-man almost looks like a bad move

Almost

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

First rookie in 100 years to pull of such a feat. An incredible rookie season he is having. One of the best in recent memory.

Only because Gretzky was never classified as a rookie. He had a 7, 6, and 5 point night in his first year as an 18 year old in the NHL, but not rookie year...

[savardandjokinen]

We need to have every line going, as if we have slackers (especially against any of the top two lines) it could backfire. I assume Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik matchup against Lee-Tavares-Bailey, but who matches up against Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle?

[direwolf]

We really need these two points tonight. Hopefully the Flames can shake off the loss to the Rangers and come out flying for this one.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

We need to have every line going, as if we have slackers (especially against any of the top two lines) it could backfire. I assume Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik matchup against Lee-Tavares-Bailey, but who matches up against Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle?

Larionov and Makarov: rookies

Gretzky: not a rookie

politics

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

First rookie in 100 years to pull of such a feat. An incredible rookie season he is having. One of the best in recent memory.

Surprisingly, the Isles are 2nd in GF this season. Flames are going to have to be extra careful trying to play a run and gun game. You look at the Isles lineup on paper and wouldn't imagine them to score like they can. But they have great end C depth with Tavares and Barzal down the middle.

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Islanders allow lots of goals. They are capable of scoring lots of goals too. If the Flames can play a solid team game and Smith does his ‘thing’, Calgary can hopefully score more than they let in. Don’t get caught trying to play river hockey with these guys.

Perfect, sounds like another blown 3rd period loss for the team!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Larionov and Makarov: rookies

Gretzky: not a rookie

politics

Sorry....what?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Locke

Sorry....what?

Guys who played for the Soviet national team, and came to the NHL in their mid to late 20s, were considered rookies. Peter Stastny was a rookie at 26 IIRC. Panarin was conisdered a rookie, was he not?

Gretzky played a year in the WHA and wasn't.

Arbitrary definitions.

[Toonage]

The team (and its fans) need a break from living and dying with every shift. Flames need a blow out win.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Guys who played for the Soviet national team, and came to the NHL in their mid to late 20s, were considered rookies. Peter Stastny was a rookie at 26 IIRC. Panarin was conisdered a rookie, was he not?

Gretzky played a year in the WHA and wasn't.

Arbitrary definitions.

Ah! I wasnt thinking about 30 years ago. Makes more sense. Carry on then.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Toonage

The team (and its fans) need a break from living and dying with every shift. Flames need a blow out win.

When was the last time the Flames actually cruised to a blowout win? I honestly can't remember, it's been that long.

[81MC]

I need a quiet evening alone with some good hockey. Don’t let me down Flames, 4-2 GFG.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by direwolf

When was the last time the Flames actually cruised to a blowout win? I honestly can't remember, it's been that long.

Had to look it up. I guess the win against Tampa (5-1) would count but that wasn't really a blowout. They did beat Vancouver 6-1 in December and that probably is closer to a real blowout.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Perfect, sounds like another blown 3rd period loss for the team!

That's the spirit!