[GDT] Sabres@Flames 7pm *MST win* SNF *Reverse the Scorpion GDT curse edition*

[calgaryblood]

I don't want to stay up any longer so apologies for the early GDT but haven't started one before so hopefully this changes the fortunes.

Game will be televised on SNF. 302 on Shaw.

The Flames will be looking to bounce back from a solid defensive effort that fell short when a late Sedin goal tied the game and Brandon Sutter scored the shootout winner.

The Flames will need the top line to start producing as they have been held to a combined 3 points in 3 games and a combined -7.

They will also need a solid effort from TJ Brodie who has really struggled early on this season.

The Flames are heading into a crucial stretch in the next 15 or so games with a lot of the teams they will be facing were playoff teams last season and what better way to gain confidence than to get a win against the Sabres.

As the Oilers found out, the Sabres aren't going to lay down after losing Kane and Eichel.

Chad Johnson gets the start against his former teammates and is coming off a solid effort against the Canucks.

These were the lineups at morning practice

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
#Flames lines this morning ...
Gaudreau-Monahan-Versteeg
Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Stajan-Chiasson

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
#Flames defence pairing this morning ...
Giordano-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamlton
Kulak-Engelland
Grossman-Wideman








PS: This is all in good fun

[FBI]

Yup so who's going to start the GT to break that curse as well?

[squiggs96]

Honestly, it's getting really tedious to talk about the Flames at this point -- and, seeing as how it's only three games into the season, that's probably a bad sign. The team has looked, at best, disjointed over the first trifecta of contests against the Oilers and Canucks to kick off the 2016-17 campaign, taking one out of a possible six points from the three matches. Quite simply, if this team wants to make the playoffs, they'll need to learn how to capitalize on weaker teams, and with a difficult schedule coming for the rest of October and much of November, the Flames will be in for a tough test.

The Flames have enjoyed some bright spots up front in new acquisitions Troy Brouwer and Alex Chiasson, as well as in old hands Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik. However, the first line has been nothing short of ghastly thus far, registering a grand total of one goal in the Flames' three consecutive losses to Edmonton (twice!!) and Vancouver. They'll need to be better against Buffalo for the Flames to have a good shot at winning. The Sabres are a clear step up from the Oilers and roughly six steps up from Vancouver, so the Flames could be in for a long night without any offense, barring more own goals by the opposition.

Defense has been a sore spot for the Flames thus far. Though they improved in the 2-1 shootout loss to Vancouver, Calgary's top-3 of Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie, and Dougie Hamilton has not impressed thus far into the young 2016-17 season. Of course, there is all the time in the world left to fix potential rust and chemistry issues. One defenseman who hasn't looked out of step: Jyrki Jokipakka. Arguably the Flames' MVP so far, Jokipakka has looked at times like a young Niklas Hjalmarsson on the back-end this season. If only it weren't for that looming expansion draft...

The Flames will likely return to Brian Elliott between the pipes on Monday, though there's a possibility that Chad Johnson will take the reins against his former team. Johnson was sparkling against the Canucks on Hockey Night in Canada, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him start at home against Buffalo; however, all signs point to Glen Gulutzan handing the job back to Brian Elliott. If he starts, the former St. Louis Blue will need to improve significantly from his first two appearances for the Flames to have any hope of coming away from this tilt with a win.

This game will be broadcast on Sportsnet Flames -- channel 302 with your Shaw package -- with Rick Ball and Kelly Hrudey managing the play-by-play. Listen anywhere on Sportsnet 960 the Fan, or on the Flames' website at nhl.com/flames -- as always, Derek Wills and Peter Loubardias will be there for every shot, save, hit, fight, and goal.

PROJECTED FLAMES LINE-UP
13 Gaudreau - 23 Monahan - 10 Versteeg
19 Tkachuk - 93 Bennett - 36 Brouwer
79 Ferland - 11 Backlund - 67 Frolik
17 Bouma - 18 Stajan - 39 Chiasson

5 Giordano - 7 Brodie
3 Jokipakka - 27 Hamilton
6 Wideman - 29 Engelland

31 Johnson
1 Elliott

PROJECTED SABRES LINE-UP
26 Moulson - 90 O'Reilly - 21 Okposo
63 Ennis - 22 Larsson - 12 Gionta
82 Foligno - 23 Reinhart - 28 Girgensons
44 Deslauriers - 27 Grant - 52 Fasching

77 Kulikov - 55 Ristolainen
29 McCabe - 47 Bogosian
4 Gorges - 6 Franson

31 Nilsson
40 Lehner

[FireGilbert]

So GDTs are first come first served now? I'm 17 hours ahead of most of CP and can easily make a thread at midnight Calgary time. Might have to start a few...

Go Flames Go! 1-2-1 doesn't seem that bad but 0-3-1 looks horrible.

[squiggs96]

It's MDT, not MST. Maybe this should go in the gear grinder thread, but I really don't understand how people don't know the difference.

[sun]

Can someone start a thread for Thursday's game? I wonder if the 'canes will surrender another three goal lead and lose in OT? Will Lack's father be in the crowd? Will Nakladal play? Which goalie will Gulutzan play? Hmmmmmmmmmmm controversy!

[HOWITZER]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

It's MDT, not MST. Maybe this should go in the gear grinder thread, but I really don't understand how people don't know the difference.

Not trying to derail the thread, but that's such a small thing to pick on since they're both appropriate acronyms to describe the mountain time zone.

MST = Mountain Standard Time (observed in winter once the clocks fall back)
MDT = Mountain Daylight Time (observed when the clocks are "ahead" in the summer/fall)

So while you're teeechnically right since it's still MDT until November 6th, it's a small difference. Easier to just abbreviate to MT.

Either way, GFG!

[DoubleK]

I'd sit Engelland and play Kulak + Hamilton and Jokipakka + Wideman

[djsFlames]

^ No.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

I'd sit Engelland and play Kulak + Hamilton and Jokipakka + Wideman

Sit Engelland and play Wideman? No thanks!!!

[savemedrzaius]

What happened to thescorpions GDT? Yesterday I saw it on here. It looked all pretty.

[NomNomNom]

Johnson was so good vs the Canucks - I really wanna see them play well for him so he gets the W against his old team. This team has mailed it in while playing in front of their 'back up' in the past, that really needs to change.

GFG! Advanced stats! Sports! Blocking shots!

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

It's MDT, not MST. Maybe this should go in the gear grinder thread, but I really don't understand how people don't know the difference.

Completely agree. This is confusing for someone who doesn't always follow when Canada changes from daylight savings. Also, if the game was taking place in Arizona or Vegas it would be even more confusing.

[TheScorpion]

OK, Flames -- let's pull it off tonight.

Also, savemedrzaius -- I accidentally started it a day early, unaware that game day was actually today. The thread was locked and deleted.

Probably all for the best, maybe there is a curse to be broken.

[Puppet Guy]

You can't roller-skate in a buffalo herd, but you can sure as hell drive it off a cliff!

Mini-Me gets a little help from one of his associates:

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[Northendzone]

October 18 and the Flames are in a "must win" game already

[Sutter_in_law]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

I'd sit Engelland and play Kulak + Hamilton and Jokipakka + Wideman

Ridiculous!
I have been very anti-Engelland and pro-Wideman for a long time but Engelland looks better than ever to me to start the season and Wideman has been nothing short of awful.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by NomNomNom

Johnson was so good vs the Canucks - I really wanna see them play well for him so he gets the W against his old team. This team has mailed it in while playing in front of their 'back up' in the past, that really needs to change.

GFG! Advanced stats! Sports! Blocking shots!

It has changed / now they mail it in while playing in front of their starter!

[Da_Chief]

Bennett will not ever score another goal this season.

[Erick Estrada]

Big game for the home team. Every game is a big game for fans that live and die in the moment but I feel once this team get's a win they will start feeling good about themselves and confidence in the new systems.