[GDT] Flames vs Oilers, 8:00 PM MST. HNIC, Fan 960

[direwolf]

Man, looking at that Edmonton lineup and their depth is just brutal. There's no reason the Flames shouldn't walk away from this game with 2 points. If they continue to play like they have over the previous few games, the W shall be ours, especially with an NHL quality goaltender in net.

McDavid is 95% of the Greasers' offence, so he's gonna get his chances. But as long as the Flames can limit those chances and let Rittich see the puck, they'll be fine. And if you get the chance to hit him, annoy him, or make his life miserable, please do it. Chucky, Bennett, and Hathaway, I'm lookin' at you guys.

[OldSam]

I hate the Oilers. Go Flames Go! Turn McWonderful into a giant mass of jelly. And hope to heaven the referees aren't from Greaserville.

[Groot]

Flames need to get an early one. Oil have the pushback of a sleeping baby. Take the early lead and pound away at them with the forcheck, their D cannot make an outlet pass. Focus Backlund and co on McDavid as much as possible (hard when he plays ever 2nd shift) and should be a good win for the Flames.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Groot

Flames need to get an early one. Oil have the pushback of a sleeping baby. Take the early lead and pound away at them with the forcheck, their D cannot make an outlet pass. Focus Backlund and co on McDavid as much as possible (hard when he plays ever 2nd shift) and should be a good win for the Flames.

I'd like to see this.

One of the major issues the Flames have had recently has been coming out soft in the first and not really engaging until later in the game.

If they come out of the gates hard and put the Oil down a few then they can just keep stepping on the gas.

I just really dont want to see weak goals against so hopefully Rittich realizes that this is his time to run with the ball and he embraces that. With no Smith starting we at least shouldnt be spotting the Oilers a couple easy goals.

[Abatedmean]

Hoping to see a good game with a system in place for McJesus.

Dube also gonna pot a goal tonight. 4-2 Flames.

[nieuwy-89]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Man, looking at that Edmonton lineup and their depth is just brutal. There's no reason the Flames shouldn't walk away from this game with 2 points. If they continue to play like they have over the previous few games, the W shall be ours, especially with an NHL quality goaltender in net.

McDavid is 95% of the Greasers' offence, so he's gonna get his chances. But as long as the Flames can limit those chances and let Rittich see the puck, they'll be fine. And if you get the chance to hit him, annoy him, or make his life miserable, please do it. Chucky, Bennett, and Hathaway, I'm lookin' at you guys.

I’ve seen the oilers in person a couple times this season. When Nugent-Hopkins is playing well they are a two line team. The fourth line is big and heavy and has a fairly effective forecheck. They tend to keep the puck in the offensive zone, and could wear down our younger d-men if the forwards don’t help.

I think this will be a good test for the Flames, but our depth should carry the day.

[Strange Brew]

Slump busting tonight. Looking for goals from Neal, Bennett, Dube and Jankowski.

[taxbuster]

Nervous. Concerned. Worried.

Hate the Flames not showing up against the Oilers.

So....hoping for the best tonight!! BoA should ALWAYS bring out the emotions and as long as the Flames keep their poop in a group they should be fine.

Don't be cute boys; just effective!

[81MC]

Just win. Please.

[direwolf]

Lol, from the HFOil game day thread:

Calgary is a really good team when Smith is not giving the game away. Will be a tough test.

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

stolen from another thread

WAY too early to make this kind of comparison... but MAYBE Rittich is the 'new Kipper'? Remember back in 2003, it was a struggling 'Large' Roman Turek. Kipper was traded from San Jose, from what was largely a back up role behind Nabokov and later Toskala.

Maybe Rittich grabs the rains and maintains some consistency and will garner the well deserved rank as our #1 goalie.

Turek eventually faded into obscurity after Kipper grabbed the #1 spot. Same could happen to Smith.

[I_H8_Crawford]

121-0 Oilers

[David Struch]

Heading into tonight’s game, there have been 234 all-time regular season Battles of Alberta (plus 30 playoff games spread over five series). The Flames have a 117-93-24 record in these regular season affairs.

https://flamesnation.ca/2018/11/17/a...le-of-alberta/

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Very worried with spooner in the lineup, the flames likely have no defence planned around him

Jesus. It’s Ryan Spooner, not Sidney Crosby.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Man, looking at that Edmonton lineup and their depth is just brutal. There's no reason the Flames shouldn't walk away from this game with 2 points. If they continue to play like they have over the previous few games, the W shall be ours, especially with an NHL quality goaltender in net.

McDavid is 95% of the Greasers' offence, so he's gonna get his chances. But as long as the Flames can limit those chances and let Rittich see the puck, they'll be fine. And if you get the chance to hit him, annoy him, or make his life miserable, please do it. Chucky, Bennett, and Hathaway, I'm lookin' at you guys.

Their roster is absolutely awful outside of McDavid but the Flames have not fared well in their own division as they actually match up much better against the Central division despite it having higher quality teams. For whatever reason the Flames don't play well against the Ducks, Knights, Sharks, and Oilers.

[Jaydee]

Hope Sam lays McDavid out hard

[FlamesFanTrev]

A month and a half into the season, and it's the oilers first game against a Pacific rival. Time to start pushing them to the bottom of the division.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

Hope Sam lays McDavid out hard

Indeed, Backlund has proved to be no match for him, Bennett and McDavid are buddy's but Sam needs to give him a very rough ride every minute he's on the ice.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

Hope Sam lays McDavid out hard

Going to be going against his line all night.. Going to see he and Chucky getting right in his face.

[PugnaciousIntern]

So has Backlund not been suspended / fined?