Flames @ Wild - Good News, Bad News
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 3:15 PM PDT
71 comments
Calgary Flames at Minnesota Wild, Apr 3, 2009 5:00 PM PDT
Enemy Perspective: Hockey Wilderness
No need to dwell on the Wild, who by this time are well known by Flames fans and haven't changed much since the last clash (besides getting Koivu back into the line-up).
Instead, let's go good news/bad news for the pre-game this evening:
Bad news: Aucoin, Regehr and Sarich are all out, meaning the Flames new top defensive unit is Phaneuf/Leopold, making Vandermeer Pardy #2. Yikes.
Good news: Aucoin won't be playing.
Bad news: Flames have one win and eleventy-billion losses on the second night of back-to-backs this year. It's not just a hard luck sample thing either: the team has played demonstrably terrible hockey on these sorts of occasions all season.
Good news: Flames are 5-0 in their last five visits to Minnesota.
Bad news: Calgary won't have a 4th line tonight (just Nystrom) thanks to the shuffling that needed to occur to call-up Negrin and Pelech. The 4th line actually held it's own last night possession wise (unlike the top 2 lines).
Good news: More ice time for Moss et al (probably).
Bad News: Flames offense continues to stumble, especially the PP. And the Wild have one of the best PK's in the league.
Good News: The Flames technically scored - twice - on the PP the last time these teams faced. Sure, both goals were called back, but...
Let's face it - Calgary will be extremely lucky to salvage any points this evening. Not only do they stink at B2B's, but half of their top 6 defensemen are on the sidelines. Negrin and Pelech aren't NHL-level defensemen at this point of their careers and will be targeted by Lemaire with great fervor tonight. Chances are, they'll cost the club at least one goal against.
That said, it'll be interesting to see how the kids perform. Actually, observing their first NHL games may be the only reason for Flames fans to tune in...
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What are your ideal D-pairings?
I wonder if it’d be wiser to split up Negrin and Pelech up, pair one up with Phaneuf and the other with Leopold. Although part of me feels that would just make our entire D awful, I still don’t want such a steep drop off from 2nd to 3rd pairing.
If Keenan double shifts Bertuzzi tonight I am going to throw things. Which naturaly means that it will happen.
by R O on Apr 3, 2009 3:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I’d sequester them together on the 3rd pairing and give them as few minutes as possible, leaving the bulk of the work to the other two relatively “strong” pairings. That said, who know how Keenan will react.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 3:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
personally, i’m thanking the gods that pardy looked rock solid last night.
by walkinvisible on Apr 3, 2009 3:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Im thanking god we got Leo at the deadline for spare parts.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So no Eriksson? Man, what’s that guy gotta do!?!
by fortybillion on Apr 3, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Eriksson makes about as much as Negrin and Pelech combined, so if you need two guys and the cap is a concern, he stays in Quad Cities. That, and what Kent said.
by Robert Cleave on Apr 3, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the real reason is the cap I’m sure.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, if anyone runs into a stream of the game would you mind posting it? Thanks!
BTW, are we seriously not playing a 4th line? haha this game will be very entertaining, hopefully some chemistry develops between some of the ‘first’ liners and ‘third’ liners when improvised line combos are made up, and convince keenan that life might ACTUALLY go on without iggy, bert and olli playing together!
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 3, 2009 4:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I haven’t heard yet which goalie is starting. And honestly, I don’t know which is worse. Maybe this one time the boys could play well in front of Mackle, but I wouldn’t want to bet on it. If Keenan is smart, Mackle gets the start in LA, so Kipper is rested for Vancouver. Again, I wouldn’t want to bet on that.
by ngthagg on Apr 3, 2009 4:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, who knows. I’d play McE tonight because, well…the club probably isn’t going to win anyways. But that’s me.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If there were any b2b that we were going to win, it would be against Minny. Our two wins were LA and Minny, incidentally.
by ngthagg on Apr 3, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joknin is terrible at face-offs I’ve noticed.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Iginla’s line literally just stands around in the defensive zone.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Too bad the puck snuck through after the whistle went off.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This game is just about over already. That was a terrible goal by Clutterbuck.
by Robert Cleave on Apr 3, 2009 5:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Both because he gets it against the Flames “first line” and also because it shouldn’t have gone in on an NHL goalie.
Hello Curtis. You should have started anyways.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
From the radio guys: that’s the 9th time in the last 10 games that we’ve given up the first goal.
And holy crap. Goodbye Kipper.
by ngthagg on Apr 3, 2009 5:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
2 Wild GOALS!
Andrew Brunette and Cal Clutterbuck
by Tony_O on Apr 3, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What the HELL is the point of that?
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A short break for everyone, without having to take the time out. I guess. What a mess.
by ngthagg on Apr 3, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How useful. PFFFT.
Kipper looks way off to me.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another PK.
This is going to get really ugly I think.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
er, Kent, ugli-er. It’s a must kill already.
by Robert Cleave on Apr 3, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Post saves the day (for now).
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. how the hell did Koivu miss that??
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Another terrible mis-play by Dion at the side of the net. He gets to a loose puck, over-skates it and then gives it up to Koivu. What a terrible night for Phaneuf to be pulling his headless chicken act.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Decent shift by the 2nd line at least.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha…there’s another complete stinker by Kipper.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The worst part of it is, the Flames are actually carrying the play this period. Take away 2 AWFUL goals by Kipper and this is still a game. Actually, call me crazy, but I still think the Flames are going to win this game. Especially if CuMac comes in to start the 2nd.
by Subversive on Apr 3, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont see that at all. I’d say the Wild have out-chanced us 2to1 in general. I can think of maybe 3 good Flames shifts in total.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do agree, however, that Kipper has been awful.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy crap. Minny gets a top quality chance nearly every shift.
I say they score 6 tonight. At least.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You know what the worst part of this awful goaltending display is?
The fact that the PBP announcers have not dropped A SINGLE MENTION of the fact that those were two terrible goals that Kipper should have had. I don’t understand that at all.
by Subversive on Apr 3, 2009 5:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, at least Brophy’s not blind. Funny how this is still somehow CuMac’s fault though. Jeez.
by Subversive on Apr 3, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You guys are choking this division away
These are game’s the Flames should be winning.
by Tony_O on Apr 3, 2009 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
For sure. Although the cavalcade of injuries hasn’t helped.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Surprising first period? Not really. Not that the rookies were the problem though.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The more I watch Jokinen, the less he impresses me. He’s got some tools, but he’s not very bright in terms of puck distribution or management. Maybe it’s just me though.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 5:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He mostly just seems lazy, a bit of a floater. One of those per team is probably enough.
by Subversive on Apr 3, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good thing we have two playing with out premier forward right now.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, sorry, that was my point. Probably should have elaborated a little more.
by Subversive on Apr 3, 2009 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey…they almost got a scoring chance on the PP.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 6:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the world of lowered standards!
by ngthagg on Apr 3, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha…
Glencross up with the the Iginla line right now. That’s a good start.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Minnesota going Harlem Globetrotter on the Flames during the PK.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 6:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
haha…Bertuzzi getting double-shifted this period. And he fucks up EVERY. SINGLE. SHIFT.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 6:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Langkow and Cammalleri with Jarome now.
Please, please stick with them.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, I think I’ve had enough of this.
Also – you suck Bertuzzi. You SUCK.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 6:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Preach it brother.
Bertuzzi’s decision-making is beyond bad and Keenan loves him anyway – that will cost us at least a game in every series we get to play this season.
On the upside, Iginla, to my eye, isn’t getting beat nearly as often in puck battles as he normally does.
by R O on Apr 3, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Jarome the best of a bad lot on the first line. Still, he’s caryying around a couple of ES anchors and he isn’t the difference maker he was the last couple of seasons.
That’s not obviously not the only problem, but it’s not helping.
The Bertuzzi/Jokinen thing is one of the main reasons I was worried about the Olli acquisition: I knew Keenan would pursue his man-crush to the Nth degree, even though Jokinen is demonstrably not as good as he believes him to be. The little outburst he had when he got here obviously hasn’t helped.
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kipprusoff has been awful. Horrible.
-Colin
by Colin S on Apr 3, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pardy looks like the only one today that doesn’t have brain damage.
-Colin
by Colin S on Apr 3, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Keenan made a terrible decision tonight regarding the starting goaltender, but to fire him after the Flames have improved significantly from last year and the season before, seems… premature?
by R O on Apr 3, 2009 7:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
despite the successes this season has this team been firing on all cylinders at any point this season? they should be way better than this – even tonight.
by ned. on Apr 3, 2009 7:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup.
A good stretch starting immediately after the Sharks game, extending all the way to the second time we defeated the Sharks for the second time in January.
Anyways. I don’t think Keenan is the optimal coach for this team, but to “fire him now” is not the solution. In the offseason, I’ll support you completely. And I agree that the Flames should be way better, but the fact is, this year they are closer to where they “should” be than they have in the past two seasons.
Kent posted something on FHF about Brent Sutter, wondering why he isn’t the coach of the Flames. I wonder myself.
by R O on Apr 3, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to comment on Pelech and Negrin’s performance, but…. I didn’t really notice them? I think this was a combination of them getting very little ice time (kudos to Keenan) and our regular D-men playing like AHL guys.
What’s the general consensus?
by R O on Apr 3, 2009 9:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t really notice. I think Negrin got all of 4 minutes of ice, so there’s nothing to say there. Pelech was steady enough, I guess?
by Kent Wilson on Apr 3, 2009 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i thought negrin started pretty well but then let (whoever the wild player was) walk right around him and get a good shot on net. after that he didn’t see much ice. pelech played alright, he was definitely on-ice for at least two goals, but neither seemed his fault from my eye (i believe he was paired with dion for those goals).
by walkinvisible on Apr 4, 2009 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think it was James Sheppard that pantsed Negrin. Pelech was OK. He was on for the Nolan and Gaborik goals, but Kiprusoff was so poor on both that blaming anyone else seems unfair.
by Robert Cleave on Apr 4, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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