The Saints are coming: Flames vs St. Louis Blues preview (3/82)

St Louis Blues @ Calgary Flames – 7PM MT

Finally, some different opposition! I mean, the games against the Canucks are usually pretty fun, and things usually happen, but it’s nice to finally play somebody else. And so, a welcome(?) return for Jay Bouwmeester. The Saints are coming.

They’re a bit of an enigma. They have many good players who can do spectacular things, but not in any kind of consistent manner. Vladimir Tarasenko probably has the potential to be an elite forward, but doesn’t do it often enough yet. We all know what JayBo could have been. Their new promising rookie, Robby Fabbri, looks good, but it’s very early days. They’ve replaced T.J. Oshie…with Troy Brouwer. A lot of the tools are there, it’s finding the right way of using them.

Don't I know you?

JayBo is the only active Blues player who’s spent time in Calgary. The wonderful Chris Butler is in the system, but is down with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman have both worn musical notes on their chest in the past.

ICYMI

Calgary Flames 3-2 Vancouver Canucks (AOT)

Game recap – Stats recap

Welcome back, the Calgary Third Periods. It was a quickfire summary of 2014/15 – a decent first period, a poor second, and then they did the thing in the third. Three on three overtime was superb, I liked it, and I’ve liked what I’ve seen when it’s been used elsewhere in the league. Long may it continue.

Hey, isn’t Brett Kulak good? Granted, sheltered starts, but he’s not giving up those sheltered starts to have atrocious possession stats. He’s even dragging Deryk Engelland up a bit. Kudos to him.

Also, Johnny Hockey forever.

Projected lines

• Jonas Hiller did nothing to lose his spot in Vancouver. He pulled off some fantastic stops and is expected to retain the starter’s jersey tonight.
• Mason Raymond also played his way into the side, so expect him to stay involved too.
• The only question mark was whether Josh Jooris might get included, to which the answer is…no. It looks like an unchanged team.

• For the Blues, Robby Raffri went off early in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat in Minnesota. Initial reports had it as an upper body injury, later reported as him having taken an elbow to the head. He’s out indefinitely with a concussion. Scottie Upshall or Scott Gomez will take his place.
• Brian Elliott is yet to concede an even strength 5-on-5 goal, so expect him to get the start between the pipes.

Join us in the gamethread, where we'll be enjoying some lounge jazz.

by Liam McCausland