[GDT] Flames vs Canucks 8:00pm - HNIC, Sportsnet

[Enoch Root]

The Nucks are a lot like the 14/15 Flames in that there are no expectations and thus no pressure, everything is fun, and teams often take them too lightly. If they win, great. If they don't, well no one expected them to.

Very easy to over-achieve somewhat, and have a better than expected year, in a situation like that.

The way to deal with a team like that is to make the game not fun for them. Outwork them, and hit everything. Grind them.

Unfortunately, that's not how the Flames play. They prefer to trade scoring chances with teams. And while the Flames are much more talented, and should win that game, it does play into Vancouver's hands, and will keep them engaged.

6-4 Flames in a wild one. With lots of Randorf hate in the GT.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Play by play is Randorf tonight and colour commentary is Louis Debrusk.

Scott Oake has Gio on After Hours!

I don't get this. How come when the Grease have a late game on HNIC they get Mr. Oiler Kevin Quinn calling the game and when we have the late game we are always saddled with the crap calling of Randorf? If the Oilers can have Quinn for HNIC why can't we have Rick Ball?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Coach Peters says he’s shuffling the deck tonight.

“Our group has gone stale a little bit. We haven’t liked our starts, we haven’t liked the energy we’ve played with. We’re trying to get a little energy back into our room.”

Bit of a guessing game on lines tonight. #Flames

Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Neal
Dube - Jankowski - Czarnik

for a guess

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by stemit14

It seems so strange to me that the coaching staff hasn’t even once tried Neal on the powerplay in his one-timer position on the right side. He’s always the high-screen/high-slot shot position.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, I have loved the coaching job overall, but that has been the most baffling (lack of a) decision this year.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Zoller

I'd be interested to review every Frolik goal this year. I seem to recall a lot of open nets and easy tap ins.

Goal 1 vs. Vancouver



Pretty standard empty-netter when the game was essentially sealed. Still, a good effort to block the puck at the blueline and win the ensuing race for the puck.

Goal 2 vs. Boston



Frolik is the beneficiary of a nice passing play by Tkachuk and Backlund. Gets himself into good position and buries it off the Backlund pass. No chance for Rask.

Goal 3 vs. Boston



Frolik begins the play by cutting off the angle for Marchand's pass along the boards, allowing Backlund to pick up the puck and find him wide-open on the far side of the net. On his weak side, Frolik had to lift up the puck while moving backwards -- a nice goal, but again, Rask had little chance.

Goal 4 vs. Montreal



Tkachuk fires a one-timer that deflects off Frolik's skate and in. Welp, a goal is a goal, I guess?

Goal 5 vs. Toronto



Another empty-netter, this one off an awful giveaway by Morgan Rielly. Sealed a 3-1 win, but Frolik didn't have to do much.

Goal 6 vs. Colorado



This is a legitimately nice goal. Frolik breaks in on the rush with Tkachuk, takes a pass, and fires a hard wrister along the ice past Varlamov. This one stood as the game-winner, too.

Goal 7 vs. Chicago



I mean, there's something to be said for getting the puck in front. Frolik does that here, and had it not gone off Crawford's stick, it might've gone straight to a waiting Bennett. But as it is, it's defintely a really lucky one, shades of Brodie's game-winner against Boston in 2015. This one was also a game-winner.

So, to summarize:

Empty-netters: 2 (Vancouver, Toronto)
Bounces: 2 (Montreal, Chicago)
No chance for the goalie: 1 (Boston 1 -- this could be 2, depending on how you see his second goal against Rask)
Legitimately nice goals: 2 (Boston 2, Colorado)

[Barnet Flame]

I’m nervous about this one. The Canucks are playing well lately and have nothing to lose

[868904]

Yeah, just like the Blues game after the Tampa game, this is a trap game.

And the Canucks are more dangerous than the Blues.

Flames should slash Pettersen and Boeser's hands as much as they can. Apparently it's accepted on skill players.

[Blixa]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

I don't get this. How come when the Grease have a late game on HNIC they get Mr. Oiler Kevin Quinn calling the game and when we have the late game we are always saddled with the crap calling of Randorf? If the Oilers can have Quinn for HNIC why can't we have Rick Ball?

This is what makes me sick too, is Ball calling hawks games on weekends? But those two oiler homers, allmost makes me want mute. How many times we are going here mcdavid this or that. I guess they have hard time to know who they prefer to win, if nucks win it will make coilers play off changes harder.

[Enoch Root]

Thinking a little more on Frolik, while I don't have a problem with him sitting a game here or there, this is a weird one to do it, IMO.

The Nucks have no depth whatsoever - shut down Pettersson and Boeser and you're probably in good shape. And the game is at home, so run a line like Dube - Backlund - Frolik against them.

Then you come back with two scoring lines:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Bennett - Neal
or
Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Neal

Either way, Vancouver has no answer. Seems like the perfect game to have Frolik in the lineup to me.

[KipperFaNaTic]

I have been a defender of Neal, but now he has no excuse to not produce being on the second line. Hopefully he finally breaks free.

[savardandjokinen]

I seem to recall Frolik playing very well with Ryan and Neal for the 3rd period in some game. I'd like to see that again

Gaudreau Monahan Lindholm
Tkachuk Backlund Bennett
Frolik Ryan Neal
Dube Jankowski Czarnik

I'd really like to see Hathaway sat for once soon

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Nucks are a lot like the 14/15 Flames in that there are no expectations and thus no pressure, everything is fun, and teams often take them too lightly. If they win, great. If they don't, well no one expected them to.

Very easy to over-achieve somewhat, and have a better than expected year, in a situation like that.

The way to deal with a team like that is to make the game not fun for them. Outwork them, and hit everything. Grind them.

Unfortunately, that's not how the Flames play. They prefer to trade scoring chances with teams. And while the Flames are much more talented, and should win that game, it does play into Vancouver's hands, and will keep them engaged.

6-4 Flames in a wild one. With lots of Randorf hate in the GT.

Definitely agree with the bolded. CGY has to decide if they want to be the hardest working team in their building. CGY has been great at home and I think it's a pride/identity thing for them - so I'm excited to see them bring their best game tonight.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

I seem to recall Frolik playing very well with Ryan and Neal for the 3rd period in some game. I'd like to see that again

Gaudreau Monahan Lindholm
Tkachuk Backlund Bennett
Frolik Ryan Neal
Dube Jankowski Czarnik

I'd really like to see Hathaway sat for once soon

Wat? Hathaway has been the best yplayer in the bottom six

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by 868904

Yeah, just like the Blues game after the Tampa game, this is a trap game.

And the Canucks are more dangerous than the Blues.

Flames should slash Pettersen and Boeser's hands as much as they can. Apparently it's accepted on skill players.

Hey now, let's not stoop to low levels to win. It may cost our players a whopping $2500. I don't think their millionaire wallets can handle it. /s

[J79]

I don't have a good feeling about this one. Pettersson has 'Flames killer' written all over him.

[skeena1]

Originally Posted by Blixa

This is what makes me sick too, is Ball calling hawks games on weekends? But those two oiler homers, allmost makes me want mute. How many times we are going here mcdavid this or that. I guess they have hard time to know who they prefer to win, if nucks win it will make coilers play off changes harder.

I think it may have something to do with the opponent. If its another Canadian team, then it will almost always be someone like Randorf. If its a US opponent, then the local guy will sometimes work the game.

[868904]

Originally Posted by skeena1

I think it may have something to do with the opponent. If its another Canadian team, then it will almost always be someone like Randorf. If its a US opponent, then the local guy will sometimes work the game.

It's because Randorf is a Canucks fan from Vancouver and wants to call this game. He's got friends in the right places at Rogers.

Just listen to the game with the sound off, it'll be a lot better.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Coach Peters says he’s shuffling the deck tonight.

“Our group has gone stale a little bit. We haven’t liked our starts, we haven’t liked the energy we’ve played with. We’re trying to get a little energy back into our room.”

Bit of a guessing game on lines tonight. #Flames

I agree with this so I'm fine with a guy like Frolik rotating out. Frolik can be a useful player but over the past few season's he's kind of trending down. How does one get a regular shift with Backlund and Tkachuk and have 0 assists in 22 games? I see him as a guy that could be moved out in the offseason.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by 868904

It's because Randorf is a Canucks fan from Vancouver and wants to call this game. He's got friends in the right places at Rogers.

Just listen to the game with the sound off, it'll be a lot better.

You can bet Randorf will be slobbering all over Petterson tonight!

[Vinny01]

Tkachuk is going to get a few points tonight. Johnny will stay hot so I think we see some goals coming on the powerplay.