[GDT] Flames @ Golden Knights, 2:00 PM MDT. Sportsnet 360, Fan 960

[Puppet Guy]

Well, this one comes with all the cliches, doesn't it? Backs to the wall, run the board, must-win, all the other ones I don't have space to write. Flames hit Sin City this afternoon, and have to make it their own personal Win City.

setting the table (https://www.nhl.com/news/calgary-fla...ew/c-297056308)

The Calgary Flames will look to close the gap in the playoff race in the Western Conference when they play the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday.

The Flames are 3-2-0 in their past five games following a four-game losing streak (0-3-1). Calgary trails the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars by four points for the two wild card spots into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. They also trail the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings by four points for third place in the Pacific Division.

Vegas, who has lost four straight at home, has not won at T-Mobile Arena since Feb. 23. The Golden Knights lead the Pacific Division by six points over the San Jose Sharks.

projected lineups (from the same place as above)

FLAMES

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

Hamilton - Giordano
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone

Smith

GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Marchessault - Karlsson - Neal
Perron - Haula - Tatar
Tuch - Eakin - Carpenter
Nosek - Bellemare - Reaves

McNabb - Schmidt
Theodore - Engelland
Merrill - Miller

Fleury

The golden boys from Las Vegas have done an admirable job this season. But today they meet the man with the Midas touch - Goldpuppet:

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[Mass_nerder]

Vegas has been almost unbeatable at home, so I don't have a lot of hope going into this one.
If the Sharks loss didn't hammer the final nails in our coffin, this one might.

That being said, go Flams!

[bubbsy]

Hoping for a win but have checked out for the season. Won't be watching any games now unless the flames string together some wins, including some at home.

[Jbo]

Will cheer for the win, but won't be crushed with a loss.

Large number of CP members at the game today, so hope the guys play a good game for them.

Go Flames Go.

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[Locke]

This is an interesting game and it will tell us a lot.

Theres no more excuses, theres no more 'we werent ready' or 'its a process' or 'we'll get 'em next time' this is about as close to 'Must Win' as it gets.

It'll tell us a lot about the composition of this team, its leadership and this coaching staff.

'Do or Die' moments are very informative.

I'd recommend they take out of Vegas' own handbook and in the words of Nothing More:

"I dont know what you had in mind, but here we stand on opposing sides. Lets go to war."

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

Vegas has been almost unbeatable at home, so I don't have a lot of hope going into this one.
If the Sharks loss didn't hammer the final nails in our coffin, this one might.

That being said, go Flams!

Unbeatable at home?


Checks their recent sked***lost four home games in a row heading into today***


Knights are starting to show some worts with six losses in the last ten. They are a beatable team.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

It wouldn't shock me at all if the Flames win these two road games.

Whenever you think the flames are officially done, they come back and get a couple wins. And on the other side of the coin, whenever you think they've taken some strides in the right direction, they take a couple big steps back.

This is setting up that way. Two big road wins, probably within 2 points of a playoff spot by Wednesday, and then boom, more disappointment at home on Wednesday.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Unbeatable at home?


Checks their recent sked***lost four home games in a row heading into today***


Knights are starting to show some worts with six losses in the last ten. They are a beatable team.

They are a beatable team because they're coasting nicely into the playoffs on the cushion of a very healthy Divisional lead while the Flames are clinging to life by their fingernails.

I dont want any more excuses. We are the desperate team and I know that may get Ol' Gul's hair in a twist, but we had better damned well play like the desperate team that needs the points to survive against the team that doesnt.

Sorry Glen, time to get your hair messed up and delve your hands into the filth.

Tonight we are not the team that is sitting pretty.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

It wouldn't shock me at all if the Flames win these two road games.

Whenever you think the flames are officially done, they come back and get a couple wins. And on the other side of the coin, whenever you think they've taken some strides in the right direction, they take a couple big steps back.

This is setting up that way. Two big road wins, probably within 2 points of a playoff spot by Wednesday, and then boom, more disappointment at home on Wednesday.

Exactly. This is why I've refused to accept any hope nuggets from the Flames this season. It's a set-up for massive disappointment

[station]

Anyone else at the game in Vegas today? I’ve become apathetic about the season lately but I’m excited to take in the game live and I’ll do my best to represent. GFG!!!

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Locke

We are the desperate team and I know that may get Ol' Gul's hair in a twist, but we had better damned well play like the desperate team that needs the points to survive against the team that doesnt.

Im with you Locke, but can you honestly remember a game under GG where the Flames looked “desperate”?

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

They are a beatable team because they're coasting nicely into the playoffs on the cushion of a very healthy Divisional lead while the Flames are clinging to life by their fingernails.

I dont want any more excuses. We are the desperate team and I know that may get Ol' Gul's hair in a twist, but we had better damned well play like the desperate team that needs the points to survive against the team that doesnt.

Sorry Glen, time to get your hair messed up and delve your hands into the filth.

Tonight we are not the team that is sitting pretty.

I don't wanna see that hair messed. It's perfect.

[Erick Estrada]

Have to win tonight. They probably aren't going to make the playoffs but they are sitting 12th in the draft order and that's going to be tough to take come June. Need to strive for 15th at the very least.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Im with you Locke, but can you honestly remember a game under GG where the Flames looked “desperate”?

Never.

Its been one of my major criticisms.

Its interesting, people have often talked about the fact that the expectations of the fans and the expectations of the coaching staff, management and players are not in alignment.

And yet never once has the team ever looked desperate.

So whats the deal? Were the expectations that they werent going to make the playoffs anyways so nobody cares? Being in the playoff picture at all was a bonus?

Because once you are actually in that playoff picture you should be scratching and clawing for your life to stay in it. Especially considering how tight it is and that theres only 10 games left.

But we havent seen that. Its all calm and cool and unprepared.

And we as fans have seen many complaints that the team isnt exciting this season. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that they seem to be just going through the motions as automatons. Theres no passion.

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I don't wanna see that hair messed. It's perfect.

It is an impressive coif. Of my many criticisms of GG his hair is not among them.

I would love to see him and Trudeau in a boxing ring except I dont think either of them would throw a punch for fear of messing up the other's hair.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Knights are starting to show some worts with six losses in the last ten. They are a beatable team.

Sounds like the exact kinda game the Flames are gonna lose.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Sounds like the exact kinda game the Flames are gonna lose.

Dammit man, I was trying to have some optimism. Why do you have to be so goddamned right?

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Im with you Locke, but can you honestly remember a game under GG where the Flames looked “desperate”?

Edmonton last game.

[Angelino]

I am in Vegas for this one. Met Marty Gelinas in the Cosmopolitan last night. Great and humble guy. Will be wearing my retro red Flames jersey to the game. Going to place a large bet on Vegas to win the game.

[tvp2003]

Please decline all 5-on-3’s please. That is all.

GFG