Flames @ Predators Gamethread
by Kent Wilson on Nov 30, 2009 4:49 PM PST
159 comments
Calgary Flames at Nashville Predators, Nov 30, 2009 5:00 PM PST
Calgary and Nashville have had a strangely antagonistic relationship for years. While he was a Pred, Tomas Vokoun went out of his way to hate the Flames - my memory may be fooling me, but I swear I remember him skating purposefully into the corner one night to body check a Flames forward (Iginla?).
In addition, the teams have made a habit of engaging in at least one weird blow-out game per season. Last year, the Flames went up on NSH 7-3 on FEb 15...only to see the Predators storm back and make things interesting with 3 straight goals in the third period. Prior to last season, the Flames had surrendered 9 goals to Nashville on two separate occasions. So yeah, don't expect things get weird this evening.
Other stuff:
- Barry Trotz is a coach famous for cobbling together a checking line of relative nobodies and sending them out against the oppositions best in order to free up his own scorers for softer match-ups. I dropped by On the Forecheck earlier today and Dirk Hoag confirmed that's still the case: as such, expect Jarome and Jokinen to face Ward-Legwand-Smithson this evening. That means Langkow et al will probably face Arnott's line.
- It was mentioned in Robert's pre-game post, but Nashville has an impressive blueline. Weber, Suter and Hamhuis are a solid top 3 and a couple of those guys haven't even peaked yet. Another guy to watch is Cody Franson - a 6'5" rookie who was one of the highest scoring defenders in the AHL last year (11 goals, 41 assists). He was chosen 79th overall in 2005, the same year Calgary took Matt Pelech in the first round (sigh).
- On the Flames side, the offense from the back-end has pretty much dried up after a hot start. Giordano hasn't scored since the first game (although he does tend to hit posts) and Dion Phaneuf has 2 points in his last 12 games. It might just be one of those "dry spots" that can afflict shooters of various stripes, but for the money the org is paying for this defense corps, hopefully the offense returns sooner rather than later.
- David Legwand has one of the most suggestively masculine names in all of sports.
Let's get 'er going...
0 recs |
159 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I was watching TSN earlier, and the Hat suggested that Kipper’s good start is because, in part, he hired a personal trainer to, in Duhatschek’s words, “get in shape for the first time in his career.”
Take that as you will.
I’ll begin to entertain all these “why is Kipper better?” theories in March should he continue to perform at this level. After spending a lot of time at Brodeur is a fraud and wading through goalie numbers myself, I’m way too cognizant of the fact that ’tenders go through 10-20 game streaks all the time in the NHL.
Which isn’t to say I’m not encouraged by his play thus far. Just that I’m reluctant to declare it a legitimate revival until we get at least 60 games into the year.
I was more amused by the fact that he decided in his early thirties, “Hey, i could stand to tighten things up a bit.” I hope it holds.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
Late to the game, but the more I think about things, the more I believe that when something is working well for an athlete, don’t change it, especially a touchy position like goaltending (or golf)… how many golfers have had good seasons and then decided to “really get fit to be able to match up to woods etc” and destroy what works for them.
If you’re a workout fiend, continue working out, if you’re a slack ass, erm, maybe try and make small changes…
According to the Flames Twitter, Prust is a healthy scratch…meaning Boyd gets to skate with Brian McGrattan…yay.
I’m less shocked than I should be, to be honest. Tootoo, Pavlov’s dog, etc, etc etc.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
I gotta say, you should watch out for the Legwand line offensively. Since the birth of his kid David has been “en fuego”.
Marty Erat has come on skating with Marcel Goc and Jordin Tootoo, look for that line to really aggravate a defense. Erat can hold the puck forever and Tootoo shoots from anywhere.
The other guy, a bit unheralded, to watch out for on the blueline is Francis Boullioun. He leads the team in hits and gets good time on the PP.
GAME ON!!
Flames playing the local team. I live about 70 mile south of Nashville. Wish I could have made it to the game.
Sitting at home with my Flames gear on.
Looks like Ovechkin might have buggered himself. Knee on knee with Tim Gleason, got 5 and a game, and had to be helped off to boot. Id-i-ot.
And he obviously stuck the knee out too. Can’t say I’m terribly sad that his dirty play finally came back to bite him in the ass.
I’m beginning to think that Freddy Sjostrom isn’t all that good a hockey player. He’s probably right around replacement level, actually.
Sorry WI.
dude, i never said he was GOOD. i said he was deserving of my adulation cause he’s fast and he’s a swede !!!
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:12 PM PST up reply actions
(kindly recall i used to love clarke wilm)
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:12 PM PST up reply actions
also, i might point out that he’s pretty useful as a PK guy and improves when he’s playing with not-mcgrattan. ie: the prustrom line was pretty decent…. oh, and he’s fairly resilient to things like pucks in the face. i still want a #11 jersey, fyi.
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:16 PM PST up reply actions
i would wonder who’s faster: him, glenX, or bourque. i would like to see the superskills JUST to know this.
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:17 PM PST up reply actions
As long as he doesn’t take hooking penalties every night, I’m still cool with him though.
Gotta wonder if this season is his swan song though.
I think he has plenty of tread left on the tire in other areas of the game – he can still skate, win board battles and is dependable in the defensive zone. He just can’t seem to shoot the puck anymore.
Yeah, I think this season is his last harrah. He’s still a fine player but before he was a guy you could slot anywhere up and down the line-up and now he looks like he’s solely suited for a bottom six role. I’d bet money on him announcing his retirement after the playoffs.
And that’s okay, he’s still one of the best interviews in hockey and I can see him making a seamless transition into the realm of TV Analyst/Color Commentator type.
Nystrom hasn’t been a liability on the Glencross line, but I think I’d prefer Boyd to be on that line for things like the 3on2 which Nystrom just flushed.
I hope he gets that spot when Bourque comes back.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 6:15 PM PST up reply actions
It’s like the Iginla line is obligated to have at least one “Oh shit!” shift in their own zone per game.
I know its been mentioned before, but really, somebody has got to tell that dude, that it is not Ahhhhh-ginla.
yeah, i’ve mentioned it. it drives me MENTAL.
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:27 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t want to jinx anything, but this may be the best I have seen the Flames play this year. (Granted…I have been cooking a big pot of Chili, so….maybe I haven’t seen it all
you obviously didn’t see either chicago game. ;)
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:29 PM PST up reply actions
ps: you might want to use some ]backwards right angle brackets[ right dph ?
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:30 PM PST up reply actions
He looks more f*ing awesome
You know, I had enough trouble figuring out how to get a sig line to work properly as it is, but that could be part of a new one some day.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 6:37 PM PST up reply actions
i thought it was good, save for the end of the PP/post PP
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:37 PM PST up reply actions
That Vokoun play looks like a guy turning bad in pro wrestling, where he smokes his tag-team partner over the head with a chair after a match. Crazy.
i’m sure mike fisher is thankful to no longer be the title holder of “stupidest play sidelining your starting goaltender.”
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
i’m just gonna give this a go for stupidstitions’ sake:
]conroy !!
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
y’know what’s really funny ? i totally messed up that conroy unjinx. it should have read ]conroy !!
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:01 PM PST up reply actions
ps: my friend from nashville is texting me from her latenight business meeting in new orleans…. she wishes she was watching but instead she’s “at an effin days inn mtg room reviewing casting, eating fucking IHOP…. IHOP. fuck”
it’s 10pm there.
That should be a circumstance where you could say, “Meeting my ass, I’m in New Orleans, I’m outta here.”
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 7:06 PM PST up reply actions
or like, bring in some freakin’ CAJUN !!!!
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:07 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve been there. IHOP at this time of night in N’Awlins is a crime against nature.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 7:09 PM PST up reply actions
on the other hand, if you’re in bozeman montana it’s quite a treat ! ;)
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
That was a super pass block by Gio, he’s probably earned a little love back from Kipper on that one after the early season screened goals.
even i’m a little surprised by it, but he does not look out of place next to the team’s #1 defenseman, most nights. FAR more comfortable than sarich, if you ask me.
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
also, i really think pardy’s taken some huge strides and is quite competant most of the time.
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
fantastic period by Calgary. No chances against so far, which is saying something considering how hard the Preds are coming.
Nashville has 1 EV shot in the period.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
Oui. They’re up to 2, after 13 1/2 minutes of EV play. Quality.
Can Conroy get an empty netter?
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 7:16 PM PST up reply actions
you’re in nashville and didn’t go ??
hey, it looked like a pretty packed rink…. true ?
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:30 PM PST up reply actions
Jesus. This is a smacking.
Well, I did say they’d need a really good effort. This has exceeded my expectations.
This is the same team that got 55 shots on the Habs. They’re over-achieving, but they don’t suck.
I like it a lot.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
Nashville doesn’t suck, that is. Until tonight ;-)
by Robert Cleave on Nov 30, 2009 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
yeah but they’re not lightweights this year, either.
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
how did i tick him off again ? i’d like to do it again.
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
This one was real, but the team in front of him did the job. I think this was one of his easiest shut-outs in a long time.
YEAH !!!! ;) it wasn’t a REAL shutout !!! it was a SPOONFED SHUTOUT !!!!
[like that ?]
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:27 PM PST up reply actions
(ps: i thought “making donut” was extra funny tonight)
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
and they’re not playing chaos hockey under keenan
by walkinvisible on Nov 30, 2009 7:33 PM PST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Matchsticks and Gasoline
Related FanShots on Matchsticks and Gasoline
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Northwest Standings
Flames Schedule
Next 5 Games
Vancouver
|
Tue 09/21 | 6:00 PM PDT |
|
@
Vancouver
|
Tue 09/21 | 7:00 PM PDT |
|
Tampa Bay
|
Sat 09/25 | 6:00 PM PDT |
|
Phoenix
|
Tue 09/28 | 6:00 PM PDT |
|
@
New York Islanders
|
Wed 09/29 | 5:00 PM PDT |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Vancouver
|
Sat 04/10 | L 3 - 7 |
|
Minnesota
|
Thu 04/08 | SO - L 1 - 2 |
|
San Jose
|
Tue 04/06 | L 1 - 2 |
|
@
Chicago
|
Sun 04/04 | L 1 - 4 |
|
@
Colorado
|
Fri 04/02 | W 2 - 1 |
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- In which former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock foils a shoplifter
- Montreal's Price talks new 2-year contract, expectations post-Halak
- Donald Fehr aware of Kovalchuk drama, mum on everything else
- Puck Headlines: Savard's agent rants on Bettman; Halak in Montreal
- Boudreau, Crawford placed on the coaching hot seat
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
