[GDT] Calgary vs Toronto, 7:00 MT

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I think the honeymoon period with him has come to an end. Last season he was living off the adrenaline of the big trade coming into a new situation to a new team. He was bringing a role to a team that desperately needed a player like that, in exchange for a useless player in Neal. Now he's got that anchor contract slowly creeping as a target on his back once again and you even read it on CP; the fanbase is slowly turning on him. Doesn't help that he's a year older and a bit slower that goes along with it.

As you said, he was considering retiring under Peters and with that on the back of his mind if makes one wonder just where his mindset is. By all accounts he's a great dude and hopefully it's just a matter of him getting his feet under him. But slow power-forward guys in their mid 30s are a tale as old as time itself; banking on them to regain their form is a fool's errand.

He hasn't been good in the first few games of the season, but he was great this summer in the playoff series. This was only a few months ago and was preceded by another long layoff with limited training time.

Based on that, I don't think he is done yet and still has more to give. I would consider reuniting him with Bennett and Dube (moving Ryan and Leivo to Backlund's line).

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

...I think we can all agree that Markstrom hasn’t let in any goals that he ‘really should have had’

No question there. It is such an impressive run that it doesn't require any sugar-coating: Three straight games without allowing a single clean goal by any metric is damn impressive.

[Kidder]

Interested to see how the game goes today.

Two expected losses thus far. One in the season opener, which we always lose, and then after a long break, which we also tend to drop historically.

In both instances, we’ve played better in those games than we typically do. And have looked solid in both victories so far.

Important to bounce back at home against a team who should be near the top of the div this year. I know Ward was happy with the early break so they could continue to work on their systems and structure, and the Flames looked great at times controlling the puck. But their sustained puck control generated few dangerous opportunities while the Leafs would just bide time defensively and then got great looks off a counter attack.

Let’s hope with less thinking and more playing, Flames can be a little more creative and dynamic and generate better looks that don’t rely just on system.

[SportsJunky]

I like how these two teams match up. Calgary could have won last game and I like their chances tonight.

[FlameyMcFlameFace]

How does Ward put out the same 4th line as last game, was he not watching?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by FlameyMcFlameFace

How does Ward put out the same 4th line as last game, was he not watching?

Oh darn, I missed puck drop?

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by FlameyMcFlameFace

How does Ward put out the same 4th line as last game, was he not watching?

Damn good username sir.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Damn good username sir.

There was a contest. We took a vote.

[motorcrosser]

Originally Posted by FlameyMcFlameFace

How does Ward put out the same 4th line as last game, was he not watching?

I think the albatross Looch is what's throwing a wrench in the gears.

[FlameyMcFlameFace]

Originally Posted by Locke

There was a contest. We took a vote.

That was awhile ago too, you remember!

[Strange Brew]

This feels like an important game for Flames fans.

Win and you can feel really good about the start of the season.
Lose and you’re waiting for Flames to beat a team other than Vancouver.
OT loss and you can still say points in 4 of 5 games with no stinkers.

3-0 Flames.

[midniteowl]

GO FLAMES GO ))))))






And guys, stop scoring on Marky, he is a Flames now, remember that!

[Dion]

[dino7c]

Stole this from another site...if the Calgary media acted like Oilers/Leafs media

On Sunday the 24th of January, year of our lord 2021, God fearing patriot and all American hockey player, Mathew Tkachuk, was violently driven into the Antifa loving Toronto Maple Leafs net by former teammate, and pro whaler TJ Brodie. On the play, somehow Babykiller Cambells back struck Mathew's knee. As Mathew was trying to make sure that the opposing team all had their booster shots, and that Cambell's back was not injured from striking his knee made of American steel, the Trudeau loving Maple leafs suddenly decided to act like Stalin and treat Tkachuk like he was a Ukrainian. Many dirty Leaf players came to the aid of their Pro choice goaltender, but not 1 of those little pinkos was man enough to to drop their gloves.
There was no penalty on the play, although it was pretty obvious that Tkachuk was cross checked with a battle axe from behind. NHL officials have reviewed the incident and have have lodged a complaint to the United Nations about the referee's leftist.....I mean Leaftest political leanings. Nato has issued a statement praising Tkachuk. Tkachuk wasn’t expecting anything else to happen and has said “he doesn’t blame Brodie, He blames Putin for making Brodie do it. "that it’s just part of the game.......I do it for America and the rest of the free word" said Tkachuk after the game.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Good timing!

I think I'm getting laid off today!

Lame!! Sorry to hear that. Got something lined up?

[bubbsy]

I didn't like the flames game plan and play vs the leafs in game 1. Calgary's advantage over the leafs is their physicality and ability to wear down a skill based team who don't have many players that do well in that.

Flames need to antagonize more scrums after each whistle, need to play the leafs way more physically all over the ice. If they play the leafs as a skill team they'lll lose, as they don't have the high end skill the leafs do. Flames only did that in the last seconds the last game, which isn't enough.

It's so annoying to watch guys like Lucic and Bennett not know their roles yet. If they aren't contributing to scoring chances, which they truly weren't, get in on the forecheck and finish all your checks.

Really want to see a win over the leaves.

Go Flames Go!

[jaikorven]

^ Not sure about that view. The Flames could, in my opinion, beat the Leafs just on skill. They came very near to doing just that 2 nights ago.

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

As much as I love Looch I hope he retires after this season.

If he was making a fraction of what he is I would never say this but that cap space could be better spent on a RWer who could play in the top 6.

If he comes back strong and plays well in his role that will work too but man that cap hit is rough.

I could be wrong but won't Lucic's cap hit remain even if he retires due to his age?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

I didn't like the flames game plan and play vs the leafs in game 1. Calgary's advantage over the leafs is their physicality and ability to wear down a skill based team who don't have many players that do well in that.

Flames need to antagonize more scrums after each whistle, need to play the leafs way more physically all over the ice. If they play the leafs as a skill team they'lll lose, as they don't have the high end skill the leafs do. Flames only did that in the last seconds the last game, which isn't enough.

It's so annoying to watch guys like Lucic and Bennett not know their roles yet. If they aren't contributing to scoring chances, which they truly weren't, get in on the forecheck and finish all your checks.

Really want to see a win over the leaves.

Go Flames Go!

Bennett finishes his checks more than any other Flame forward.

Some of the narratives on here are just bizarre.

Also, the Flames can most definitely beat the Leafs in a 'skill game'

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Chingas

I could be wrong but won't Lucic's cap hit remain even if he retires due to his age?

No it would be gone. But he would lose out on $9 million. A lot of money to leave on the table.