[GDT] Flames @ Ottawa, 5:00 PM

[Toonage]

Rittich officially gets the start tonight. Not that there was any real question

https://twitter.com/user/status/1366439335529246724

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
David Rittich starting tonight in Ottawa. #Flames

[Tbull8]

Nm

[Monahammer]

Ruzika would be better than anyone currently playing on our 4th line IMO.

Honestly, would love to see him given a shot between Dube and Lucic.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

With 20 home games left on their schedule this is very achievable.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Certainly but they will have to put together a big winning streak or two.

[Toonage]

Given how far we're into the season and they are a .500 team I'd be comfortable seeing them go on a 7 game win streak so they'd only need a 13-13-1 record to get in, which is how they've played the whole season to this point.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Certainly but they will have to put together a big winning streak or two.

or just go 3-2 every 5 games.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Naitix

That's true, but I usually don't care about anyone getting PPG in AHL if they are older than 26, at that point its almost certain that they can put up points in the AHL but can not transition their game into the NHL. It does not matter if Froese was PPG and is trash in the show, that's like saying Agostino should be good because he puts up close/over PPG in the AHL every year. Putting up PPG in the AHL in their second and third professional year is really good, and they need to be given an opportunity to succeed in the NHL, what else can they do to get a chance?
Ya I think Ruzicka's skating was a concern but it has improved imo, he looks really good out there

I agree it’s a different consideration bringing up young guys v older ones, but the point is people saying “Ruzicka would be better than any guy on the 4th line” are making a huge assumption that domination in the AHL = will play well in the NHL.

If we are bringing these guys up it’s to give them a taste of the NHL and judge their game in NHL conditions against bigger, stronger and faster opposition. I doubt it’s because they are “obviously better” than, for example, a guy who’s been an NHL regular like Leivo.

[Locke]

It feels like we havent played Ottawa in forever!!

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Anyone else starting to feel fatigue over this schedule format?

At first it was kind of cool to only be playing Canadian teams, and I don't mind the back to back formats, but just starting to feel boring playing the same teams over and over.

Plus, they have time figure out our systems and develop a counter... kind of like mini playoff series. Unfortuantely, we know how well playoff series tend to go for the Flames...

[DoubleK]

Win one, lose one, which would make tonight lose one.

Prove me wrong Flames!!!

[dino7c]

What team in the north div is a good playoff team though?

[Locke]

Come on Big Save Dave.....remember who you are!!

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Given how far we're into the season and they are a .500 team I'd be comfortable seeing them go on a 7 game win streak so they'd only need a 13-13-1 record to get in, which is how they've played the whole season to this point.

Really, I'd much rather they go 3-1 or 2-1-1 every 4 games as opposed to going on a win streak and then falling back down to .500 - which I've seen too many times from this core. The goal can't be going 13-13-1 to get in when you have a group that has no killer instinct or second gear to elevate itself in the playoffs.

That only leads to another wet rag playoff performance, which is worse than missing if you ask me. The goal needs to be find a way to be consistently good and maybe you can make noise in the playoffs.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I agree it’s a different consideration bringing up young guys v older ones, but the point is people saying “Ruzicka would be better than any guy on the 4th line” are making a huge assumption that domination in the AHL = will play well in the NHL.

If we are bringing these guys up it’s to give them a taste of the NHL and judge their game in NHL conditions against bigger, stronger and faster opposition. I doubt it’s because they are “obviously better” than, for example, a guy who’s been an NHL regular like Leivo.

I think Ruzicka is one of those underrated guys that is going to surprise us at the NHL level.

He has a lot of desirable attributes as he is a 6’4” center with soft hands, a good shot and strong offensive instincts.

[dissentowner]

This is about the time where the Flames surge to finish strong while the dumpster fire up North struggles out of a playoff spot. GFG.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Really, I'd much rather they go 3-1 or 2-1-1 every 4 games as opposed to going on a win streak and then falling back down to .500 - which I've seen too many times from this core. The goal can't be going 13-13-1 to get in when you have a group that has no killer instinct or second gear to elevate itself in the playoffs.

That only leads to another wet rag playoff performance, which is worse than missing if you ask me. The goal needs to be find a way to be consistently good and maybe you can make noise in the playoffs.

Oh I agree, but I think the 7 game streak and 500 the rest of the way speaks to my lack of trust in this team more than anything.

[djsFlames]

I think getting all these consecutive starts and Ottawa games is good for Rittich. Maybe he can figure some things out through being battle tested like this for if/when we need him down the stretch.

[D as in David]

The PK was very aggressive (and effective) against the Leafs; not sure why they went back to such a passive approach against Ottawa in the second game. More of their inconsistency showing.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Naitix

That's true, but I usually don't care about anyone getting PPG in AHL if they are older than 26, at that point its almost certain that they can put up points in the AHL but can not transition their game into the NHL. It does not matter if Froese was PPG and is trash in the show, that's like saying Agostino should be good because he puts up close/over PPG in the AHL every year. Putting up PPG in the AHL in their second and third professional year is really good, and they need to be given an opportunity to succeed in the NHL, what else can they do to get a chance?
Ya I think Ruzicka's skating was a concern but it has improved imo, he looks really good out there

Ya, if you are a forward and are one of the 6 veterans on your AHL team and you cannot put up points you really have to wonder about the player. The league is basically a 21-24 year olds league, if you are 28 and cannot put up numbers against guys learning how to be professional players there is something wrong. Call ups should be reserved for players that may actually develop into something at the NHL level.