Flames vs. Red Wings Game Thread
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 4:21 PM PDT
227 comments
Detroit Red Wings at Calgary Flames, Mar 15, 2010 6:30 PM PDT
Last Tuesday saw the Flames start poorly before turning the game in the final 20 minutes with as good a period as a team could expect at Joe Louis. The first line that night went toe-to-toe with Pavel Datsyuk's line, and by the finish looked the better outfit by a fair bit. Last night's first period in Vancouver was the polar opposite for Jarome Iginla and friends. By the time the wake-up call was answered, the game was lost, and their indifferent play was at the heart of the deficit. The end of the game saw some line-juggling as well, with Stajan and Hagman reuniting. Beyond the desire to shake up a moribund squad, an injury may well have been involved in moving a few forwards around last night, and it appears that injury might be more than just a minor boo-boo.
The Herald is reporting that Christopher Higgins was wearing a walking cast after practice this morning, so Nigel Dawes could get an opportunity to return to the line-up. Higgins became a favourite of this blog in short order after arriving from New York, showing tremendous ability to control possession against good players, and adding another skilled PKer to an already solid stable. He and Daymond Langkow were on their way to becoming the sort of dependable pair that could hold another team's top players down, so if Higgins is actually out for any length of time, it's a bad loss.
That noted, Nigel Dawes isn't just some schmo, having been a regular in the club's top six before injury and the trades left him on the outside. Morning skates after an overnight flight aren't usually the place to do a bunch of line rushes, so we might not know how the combos shake out until the game itself, but Dawes should have been playing all along, IMO, and not simply because someone got nicked. Whoever goes tonight, repeating the effort that the Flames put forth against Henrik Zetterberg will likely be a key. Detroit's Swedish star was a non-entity last week, deep in the Corsi and Scoring Chance red. Calgary's bottom six was superior in the last match-up with the Red Wings as well. That likely needs to happen again tonight, because being whipped by the Bertuzzi's of the world just won't do.
The Flames' top two parings had a difficult opening period yesterday, to say the least. Steve Staios looks about like I suspected, unfortunately, overmatched against top-six forwards and beyond the help of Jay Bouwmeester. JB himself has the appearance of a man who could use a bit of assistance these days, which makes me wonder if a reunion with Mark Giordano should be on the cards. If the Flames are content with Regehr and White as a duo, and you asked me who's the most likely to belong as the 4th D out of Staios, Sarich or Giordano, it isn't the two veteran right-shooters. Gio and Sarich are killing the stiffs, as one might suspect, but that's leaving a hole against the other teams' better players a bit too often.
Miikka Kiprusoff got an unwelcome chance to observe the last 40 minutes yesterday, although he was blameless for the hole Calgary dug themselves, making several excellent saves before getting the mercy hook from the boss after the first. He'll go again tonight, hoping that his team mates actually choose to join him at the beginning of the proceedings.
Detroit hasn't lost since the Flames' win last week after juggling their lines to find some offensive spark, but no matter who plays with who, the centers of attention for Calgary will always be Datsyuk and Zetterberg. As mentioned, Zetterberg struggled in the last encounter, but he's responded with four points in the two subsequent games. Detroit will likely give Brent Lebda an outing in lieu of Jonathan Ericsson in an effort to settle their bottom defence pairing, and Jimmy Howard will start in net.
What the Flames need to have happen this evening is fairly clear. The Iginla line can't sleep-walk through the first period, whoever plays with Daymond Langkow needs to give him the support he needs, and the Bouwmeester-Staios pair have to limit their mistakes. Tall orders, indeed. Oh, and stay out of the box, as per usual. This game might not absolutely be the season, but a loss will put the Flames in a hole that they will likely have a very difficult time extracting themselves from.
Game time is 7:30 on TSN.
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Jesus H Christ, Higgins is out? God dammit, they better put GlenerationX with Dion Phaneuf’s favorite wingman D-Lanks because I fear that Zetterberg will molest a line of Kotalik-Langkow-Dawes. The Newfie deserves some ice, hopefully the Sutter Bros’ eyes were opened last night during the Exposure of Steve Staios.
I also had my iPod on shuffle today and that hit Andre Nickatina song came on “Ayo for Yayo.” I think that song would go perfectly in a satire rap song about our new favorite flame. The chorus could go like:
Ayo for Staios
Steady Stevie Staios
Can’t win a Faceoff
But he’ll lead us to the Playoffs
Kent how is your rapping? Azevedo can you spit rhymes? Hopefully someone in the Flames blogosphere gets on this. Could be a hip hop anthem. Maybe snoop blogg at FlamesNation? Its been a long year since Hey There Iginla. Ohhhh, you’re better than Evgeni…..
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 15, 2010 4:33 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
That is the first time I’ve heard GlenerationX has a nickname for Curtis and we have a winner.
Anyways some thoughts
- This is the last chance the Flames will have where they can control what Detroit does so a win is a must.
- Rough the Wings up a bit make this just like a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
- 12-18-17 Where are you? No show against Ottawa and a no show last night. All three must have a good games for the Flames to succeed tonight.
- The Flames were lucky the Canucks were to incompetent to click on the Power Play more then once. So please stay out of the Box the Wings have the weapons to make you pay.
- Utilize Home Ice tonight get the crowd into the game.
This is the closest thing to a playoff game the Flames have played yet…………………… well every game before tonight was a playoff game but this one is bigger. We can be one up on Detroit or three back.
Go Flames Go.
Let’s bring this home for Papa Sutter.
GO FLAMES GO!!!
ayo for staios isn’t bad. but it’s no “”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36mn3eTr6g4" target="new">do it like a gio"
glenerationX, while extremely lengthy for a “nickname” is, indeed, a winner. and i guess since i came up with “pocketdawes,” i shouldn’t get all high and mighty about the number of characters.
by walkinvisible on Mar 15, 2010 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions
What she meant was Do It Like A Gio.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Every game is a playoff game. A win in game 82 is the same as a win in game 1.
The D right now is a quandary. If you take Gio away from Sarich, then Sarich stops being good in his role and becomes useless again. You also have a 6 million dollar 3rd pairing. Ideally, you would have something like this:
Gio-JBo vs. Elite Comp
The Great Mustachio-Reggie vs. Good to Medium Comp
Sarich-Pardy against Useless Comp
That provides the greatest opportunity for success. Also: Kotalik is useless as he is now. If one of the few things he does well is play on the point in PP situations, why the fuck is Sutter not using him? It is mind-boggling to me, especially because he has a penchant for not really doing anything else, which wi also said here.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
kotalik is as useful as a crystal deoderant rock ? sometimes i even surprise myself with the insight and wit that comes along at 1am. :)
by walkinvisible on Mar 15, 2010 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I have nothing but bad words for crystal deodourant rock, I will tell you that right now. Not metaphorically, for the actual thing. Kotalik has been pretty useless, but then again Sutter putting him with Langks on the Traction line isn’t exactly helping him help the team. As it stands, Langkow’s line is designed to drive scoring without being expected to score itself (at least from this angle it seems that way), and having a dude on the line whose primary asset is a cannon shot seems counter-intuitive. At least he hasn’t been the unmitigated disaster we were led to expect, though; he’s just being paid 3x more than he should be.
While we’re discussing D pairings and all that, I just want to say that I will be saddened if the Flames don’t sign White in the off-season. It is possible, and it is necessary. Not only for his Epic Facial Hair (the ramifications of which have already been discussed), but also for his commendable abilities as a solid, young defenseman.
by SmellOfVictory on Mar 15, 2010 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Need this one
I give Kotalik the necessary pump up for the game:
Hopefully he finds a way to stay in the middle of things.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions
lol
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
This new second line looks pretty good. Well, except Kotalik.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
Or he’s the “most improved player in the league”. Truth is, he basically played like this last year too.
He just didn’t get the recognition with Aucoin here and Sarich sucking so much less.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions
For about 15 consecutive years, in fact.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Flames PP: One defenseman falls down on his own, one 2-on-1 surrendered, no shots. Wonder why they’re 25th in the league.
We’re only 25th? That is surprising.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Luckily, the inability of the Wings to create anything cohesive has also been lacking.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
3 shots by the D, so those at least. Likely 4-5 total.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions
For a game that the Flames “must win” that was not really the period I had in mind. Be interested in the scoring chances numbers. At least Iggy looks engaged tonight.
by Guti on Mar 15, 2010 7:21 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Thanks Kent, thought the wings would have had a wider advanthe on scoring chances.
by Guti on Mar 15, 2010 7:26 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
At this point with the Flames, I’m starting to disregard how they play as long as they win. Just look at the Avs. Their fan base is happy!
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
~~~~~~~
Sarcastic comments are denoted by a ~ for the new guys.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Did anyone see Willis’ article on Aucoin. 4/4 on shootouts. The new Jussi Jokinen
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 15, 2010 7:31 PM PDT reply actions
No shinpads to get in the way, so maybe that’s not so surprising.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
pierre dumb as fuck bork was traded for
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 15, 2010 7:37 PM PDT reply actions
Speaking of borkbork… he’s looked a little uninspired and not really making high percentage decisions today…
He saw that big contract as a finish line, not a starting point
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 15, 2010 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions
And by awake you mean physical and not taking dumb penalties?
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Got away with one looked like Kipper grabbed that puck in the trapazoid?
by Guti on Mar 15, 2010 7:42 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
The Mongolian Datsyuk is shutting down Iginla like Bill Gainey
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 15, 2010 7:44 PM PDT reply actions
Datsyuk will do that to you.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions
what does everyone think about the canucks cup chances. They are talking Stanley in Vancouver
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 15, 2010 7:47 PM PDT reply actions
WHat about Phantom 51 AKA Soupy AKA Brian Campbell. Thats a huge loss that guy dazzles
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 15, 2010 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep, Chicago will be tough to beat. So will San Jose, Washington, Pittsburgh.
They’re always sure it’s their year in Vancouver. No question, the ‘nucks are rolling right now.
They’ve got some brittle D, though. And Luuuuuu is a little streaky.
They were talking about the Canucks as a Cup contender back in September (and not just the homers, but MSM in general). As far as I can see, it depends on them being a bit tighter on the back-end, whether that’s Lu stealing more games, or the D playing better. Because you might get away with it once or twice, but you can’t give up three goal leads against teams like Chicago and San Jose habitually and expect to come back.
Dawes looks a lot like Shaq with that ’stache.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
It could work.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
z
Geezus Kotalik is useless in the offensive zone, at least he back-checks.
3 Million!
Fuck.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
2.7 Million!
Fuck.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Should have done pretty much anything else.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Tell me I heard that wrong. Did the monkey between the bench just say something like the “Red Wings Win”?
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
John Shannon and Mike Brophy.
I’d take the TSN guys over anyone except Pierre LeBrun, Ron MacLean and Kelly Hrudey.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions
CGY -1, so +1 in the period.
EV shots 9-6 DET. But it was just like last night’s first ¡
Sarcasm, African style.
Should read CGY -3 for the game, +1 in the period.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
McKenzie: Calgary hasn’t been a good road team historically…
So, since they have been good this year, which history has more merit, the past before this year, or this year?
I thought that Calgary wasn’t as bad in the second as the commentators said. I thought it was a very evenly-matched period, minus the powerplay goal.
I thought they were better in that period than the first. And the stats back that up. The Red Wings tied it up because of a marginal call to Steve Staios.
Marginal? A rat would have held him stronger. That call was a joke.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Since when did we become so good at the dot 65% after two!
by Guti on Mar 15, 2010 8:23 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I think that’s a big reason why the Flames have actually been okay in this game. The importance of the faceoff is often underestimated.
How the fuck is Iggy outmanned there? We have more guys on the ice!
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
For all we like to concentrate on EV play, if Calgary misses the playoffs, the PP ineptitude should really get a major piece of the blame. They don’t even look remotely dangerous, and it isn’t just tonight.
they look 10 times better on PK than PP. Is that even possible?
by MetallicIronDeth on Mar 15, 2010 8:35 PM PDT reply actions
*drinks
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
The good thing about the season being over is that well, I don’t waste any more time watching minor league hockey
Well, wherever you go, we will miss you Azevedo.
by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 16, 2010 7:11 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
We had 4 shots? What the hell!
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Just sad.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions
4 EV shots, that is.
CGY -8, -5 in the third.
EV shots 8-4 DET in the third. One bad attempted clear, and it might be done for the year.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Well folks. Four shots, 3 scoring chances in a third period that featured a 4 minute PP. On home ice.
That’s not good enough.
I don’t know what it is, but a lot of them are playing like they just don’t really care.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 15, 2010 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t really agree,
I see a lot of signs of lots of work by a good proportion of the dressing room
I see very little in the way of playing together as a team offensively, limited system, too many guys who seem to take a “lug it in and shoot it and someone will get in the way maybe”
No. It’s one thing to say a team got jobbed if the underlying numbers are there, but those aren’t any hell either, and that’s true for the season as a whole, not just tonight.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions
To Calgary’s credit, they limited the Red Wings to 15 on the evening. To their detriiment, they only generated 13 themselves.
And even though I haven’t seen the numbers, I would be willing to bet that the wings convert on a higher proportion of their chances.
Kinda doubt that. Their shooting % isn’t any hell. They just get more pucks on net than Calgary, to the tune of about 4.5 shots a game.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, Im guessing they generate more chances than the Flames. Hell, just the difference in the PP’s alone would guarantee that.
They generate about 3 more shots/60 at EV. On the PP its 10 shots more per 60. Just doing back of the envelope stuff, Detroit likely has about 100 more shots 5 on 4, and it looks like that gap is about evenly created by more PP time and more shots per 60..Both teams shoot about 11% 5 v 4, so all Detroit’s extra PP scoring is from the extra shots that they create. The Flames have a better SH% at EV as well. Detroit’s the second worst SH% team in the league 5 v 5 in fact. The Red Wings aren’t Colorado. Their offence is built around volume of attempts.
by Robert Cleave on Mar 15, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Somewhere, Dion Phaneuf cracked a beer.
by M F on Mar 15, 2010 9:40 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
You mean, Matthew Lombardi.
That dude has certainly gotten the last laugh this year.
by Kent Wilson on Mar 15, 2010 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
lombo and boyd both, it looks like at this point.
by walkinvisible on Mar 16, 2010 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Iginla line is -3 last two games
Iginla’s line has been on ice for every even strength goal against the last two games.
That is disturbing!
Well, they’ve been playing the other teams best. It’s a lame excuse at this point, but the point should be reiterated I think: Jarome can’t do that and consistently excel anymore.
by Kent Wilson on Mar 15, 2010 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Especially with his linemates playing as bad as they are. This is not to absolve Iggy of responsibility, but last night he was actually doing something-at the very least, he played well physically.
Go Flames Go
Goals? Where we're going, we don't need goals.
by Justin Azevedo on Mar 16, 2010 2:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Went to be after 2 periods
Right call as it turns out. Does anyone else really want the Flames to just go right into the tank at this point, taking out the guess work of caring in the last few games of the season?
face off
Couldnt understand the flames allignment on the 2 faceoffs at the end. They won both of them but all the did was shoot into a bunch of traffic and the puck never got through. The put 3 guys up front and 3 guys back. the 2 guys back might have just stayed on the bench. There could have been an opportunity to use a weak side player to one time a pass from the player who shot the puck. Not much in the imagination department.
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