[GDT] Flames @ Rangers, 5 pm, SNW/SN, NHLNetwork (US) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Cali Panthers Fan · 10-25-2015, 07:40 AM

Flames: 2-5-0, 6th in Pacific, 13th in West, 25th in NHL.

Rangers: 5-2-2, 2nd in Metropolitan, 3rd in East, 5th in NHL.

The Flames of last year are back.......I hope?

Last game against Detroit looked much more like the team we all grew to appreciate. Hard work, never-say-die attitude, timely goal scoring, solid goaltending, offense from defense; I could go on, but it was a very positive sign to see them play much more to their capabilities. However, it wasn't a perfect game, and Detroit isn't the best team in the league these days. Bottom line is there's still more work to do to get this team playing to their capabilities, but signs are pointing to them being on the right track.

They'll need it against one of the best in the East, the New York Rangers. They've gotten off to another strong start, with both a top ten offense and defense in the league. Lundqvist is off to a very strong start, posting a 1.97 GAA and a .941 Sv%. The good news is we might see the backup today since they played last night and it's their 3rd game in 4 nights. Although, that may not be great news either since Antti Raanta had a 22 save shutout in his only appearance. The Rangers have one of the most solid defensive teams from top to bottom, and then, when all else fails, they have one of the elite starters in the game and a very capable backup. Scoring chances will be at a premium today, so the Flames need to take shots when they become available and not over-pass the puck. Don't expect many tic-tac-toe goals today.

Now whenever you have Gaudreau playing, you might get a tic-tac-toe play regardless of the opponent. He's off to a fantastic start posting 9 points in 7 games, pushing him into the conversation of the elite offensive players in the league. Remember when we were all hoping for him to turn into Patrick Kane? Well Kane has 11 points in 8 games. He's almost at that level already. Now all we need is for Monahan to turn into Toews and for Bennett to turn into Doug Gilmour and we'll be all set. Seriously though, we still need some top 6 production. Hudler has been ok, but has been invisible recently. Monahan has been really up and down to start the year and has just 4 points so far. Bennett has struggled to find his offense consistently, posting a single assist in 6 games. Frolik has been excellent in his own zone and playing the type of game we brought him in here for, but has yet to score a goal. That's not even mentioning players like Backlund, Ferland, Raymond, Jooris, and Stajan for secondary scoring. Now that the defense is beginning to stabilize, the forwards need to up their game and get aggressive in the offensive zone. The Flames are still one of the lowest scoring teams so far this year, so improvement from everyone is essential.

Roster Notes: It looks like Ferland is out for a period of time (yet to be determined), so the Flames recalled Derek Grant from Stockton. No word yet on whether he will be in the lineup tonight over Bollig, but it's possible since the Rangers are a relatively quick team and Bollig doesn't help that.

Rosters are a guess without Ferland in the lineup.

Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Raymond-Bennett-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Jooris

Alternate:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Stajan-Jones
Raymond-Grant-Jooris

Giordano-Wideman
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Nakladal?

Hiller

Rangers
Nash-Stepan-Zuccarello
Kreider-Brassard-Fast
Lindberg-Hayes-Miller
Stalberg-Moore-Stoll

McDonagh-Klein
Yandle-Girardi
Staal-Boyle

Raanta?

Go Flames Go!!!

BurningSteel · 10-25-2015, 08:12 AM

GFG!!

Build on the win.

Im going with 4-2 Flames win, One goal empty net.

sureLoss · 10-25-2015, 08:32 AM

@SUNGilbertson: No surprise, #Flames LW Micheal Ferland is not on ice for morning skate in NYC.

sureLoss · 10-25-2015, 08:35 AM

@AAVickers: No Micheal Ferland, but there is a TJ Brodie at morning skate here in NYC! Limited participation, though. #Flames

sureLoss · 10-25-2015, 08:45 AM

Wes Gilbertson @SUNGilbertson
#Flames lines this morning:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler,
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik,
Bennett-Grant-Jooris,
Bollig-Stajan-Jones.

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected pairings vs. #Rangers:
Giordano-Wideman
Russell-Engelland
Smid-Hamilton

Goaltenders:
Hiller (Starter)
Ortio

Heavy Jack · 10-25-2015, 09:07 AM

Man that 3rd line could cause nightmares for the other team.

polak · 10-25-2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Man that 3rd line could cause nightmares for the other team.

Or our own team.

Gaskal · 10-25-2015, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

Or our own team.

Bennett - Grant - Jooris??

Finger Cookin · 10-25-2015, 09:43 AM

If Bennett isn't in the top six he should definitely be at center. You could argue he should be at center if he is in the top six.

We'll see how things go at game time.

foshizzle11 · 10-25-2015, 09:46 AM

I am fine with him playing on the 3rd line on the road where Hartley can't always get him favorable opponents. Give those tougher minutes to Stajan, Backlund and Monahan.

I think this will be close game. If they play at all like they did on friday night, we will get a win on the road in a tough building, against one of the best goaltenders.

GFG! 4-2 win, EN goal. Hudler, Russell, Bennett and Frolik all score.

Hiller, time to show you are truly the number one. Win this boys!!

Vinny01 · 10-25-2015, 09:49 AM

Rangers played on the road last night so hopefully the Flames get the backup and get the win

kyuss275 · 10-25-2015, 09:50 AM

Surprised Grant got in straight away. Even more surprised that he is playing with Bennett. I would have put Bennett with Stajan and Jones. Have a 4th line of Bollig-Grant- Jooris, playing limited minutes. That said i am sure Hartely will adjust the lines 10 minutes into the game.

sureLoss · 10-25-2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Rangers played on the road last night so hopefully the Flames get the backup and get the win

AV said last night Flames will be facing Raanta

PugnaciousIntern · 10-25-2015, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected pairings vs. #Rangers:
Giordano-Wideman
Russell-Engelland
Smid-Hamilton

Yikes, I will be in edge the entire game. We will always have Wideman, Engelland, or Smid on the ice. I do like those players in appropriate roles in this team, but there is not one pairing that I trust to not make boneheaded defensive plays.

Finger Cookin · 10-25-2015, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Yikes, I will be in edge the entire game. We will always have Wideman, Engelland, or Smid on the ice. I do like those players in appropriate roles in this team, but there is not one pairing that I trust to not make boneheaded defensive plays.

It worked better last game than any group of pairings has all season.

foshizzle11 · 10-25-2015, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Yikes, I will be in edge the entire game. We will always have Wideman, Engelland, or Smid on the ice. I do like those players in appropriate roles in this team, but there is not one pairing that I trust to not make boneheaded defensive plays.

Honestly, what team and what pairing isn't going to make boneheaded defensive plays? I would say that there were minimal mistakes made last game with these exact same pairings. How is this different from last year?

kyuss275 · 10-25-2015, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

It worked better last game than any group of pairings has all season.

Yup. They will probably do what they did last game. Smid gets limited playing minutes , Hamilton will finish game with Rusell, and Engeland will be 5th in minutes getting PK time.

mikephoen · 10-25-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Yikes, I will be in edge the entire game. We will always have Wideman, Engelland, or Smid on the ice. I do like those players in appropriate roles in this team, but there is not one pairing that I trust to not make boneheaded defensive plays.

I don't think Smid is the one you need to worry about on that pairing.

GranteedEV · 10-25-2015, 10:18 AM

Hope we get a power play in Madison Square Garden this year.

Armchair Quarterback · 10-25-2015, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Yikes, I will be in edge the entire game. We will always have Wideman, Engelland, or Smid on the ice. I do like those players in appropriate roles in this team, but there is not one pairing that I trust to not make boneheaded defensive plays.

The Gio-Wideman pairing had a great game on Friday. You can count on Wideman to make at least one of those a game but we also need more offense and that is a solid first line.