travel_dude

Off angle shots on Ott's blocker side tend to get deflected away.

Too bad. Wasted shot.

Get one.

I think they are giving Stone some 3rd pair minutes. Help in case we take penalties, using Guddy and Tanev too much.

Good kill.

Weak Blockchaining call

We need to begin Stage 1.

Top shelf cheddar, there Tyler Teapot.

Okay, that was two super saves on Kyl and Toffee.

That's the way. Shoot for deflections.

Greg Millen sucks. Such a bland color guy.

Huff and Puff out tonight?

It's one or the other. 5 is 5 and a game. They review those. 2 will get the NHLPS review tomorrow.

Listened to the Big Show (usually don't because they pile on a bit much at times) and they brought up the one player they felt was not playing anywhere to a new gear. Backlund. They weren't being insulting, but he's the longest player Flames player we have. He's been in enough of the post season disappointment to be one of the guys that has to start taking the team on his back. Pardon the pun. He's been a killer in the regular seaosn for years, has brought along players like Tkachuk and Mangiapane. But he's never added a gear to his post season game. Yes, the top line has to do more. They are the finishers, but Backlund is responsible for the 2nd most minutes among C's. AAnd always near tops in ice time. If Toffoli and Mange aren't going, you have to put part of the blame on him. Toffoli has had success playing in important games in the playoffs. 14 points in 22 games last year. 4 points in 7 games with VAN. But he's relied on C's and other players to help pull the weight.

Tkachuk can start chirping goalies for a change, but only if they start scoring on Ott. Or guys that are scoring rom their side. Otherwise do the talking with your stick. Johnny is setting the table, but can't just be two guys on the line. Where is Tkachuk on the PP?

I owned a vintage looking one years ago, but it was a cheap CCM knockoff. Got another one (away) from the Iggy era, so a bit more modern, but that slash was ugly. First real name jersey I bouught was a JH one. Old style black C. I still like the black C version. Gonna be warm, but I guess it's home Johnny tonight.

I dug out the Johnny Hockey jersey for tonight. No washing it (that's for Snowbear). Had to put it away until he was back on track. Whether he gets a meaningful goal tonight or just factors in a goal, I think it's his time to shine. As Johnny goes, so does the team.

I can't even listen to EF anymore. What a toad.

Francis falling for Sutter's looks hook, line and sinker. He's 100% sure that this is Sutter's go to decision. I don't really know.

That would leave you Dube-Jarnkrok-Toffoli, which isn't a bad thing. Not sure why we haven't seen this before.

The so-called Backlund bump is acting in reverse now. Only a few players this year have had success with him. On the road - Mangiapane, since they were not able to get matchups. Coleman - wasn't really scoring but was a good defensive pair. Dube - can we just agree that Dube plays well with anyone. Players like Mangiapane and Toffoli thrive in two situations - rush and planted shots. In a defensive series, neither is able to get the passes. Backlund isn't helping them. Francis asked the question about the line and Sutter was very much playing it like a joke on Francis. Wasn't insulting, just that it was "very fluid". He's going to keep the real line hidden until the last minute. Mind games. Also lets the players know what they are expected to do. This isn't a one player change to determine the series. It's a series of adjustments depending on the game. Coach within the game and get players ramped up whatever the lines.

I don't like the idea of using a RHS on LW. Ritchie has been good in disruptive play. Only thing missing is a finisher. I don't think that Backlund is a finisher or even a starter. Might help Toffoli by staying off the boards. If we wanted to use Stone, then a 11-7 setup might be the best use. Really, the D on the point is just not getting set.

#Flames coach Darryl Sutter, with a big smile, on his forward lines: “It’s a very fluid situation that is evolving as the day goes along.”

#Flames coach Darryl Sutter, with a big smile, on his forward lines: “It’s a very fluid situation that is evolving as the day goes along.”

Interesting practice lines today: Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk Ritchie-Backlund-Toffoli Dube-Jarnkrok-Coleman Lucic-Lewis-Mangiapane I don't know if this is Sutter games for the media or a real choice. Mangiapane can create anywhere, but Dube is better on RW with Lucic. Or even Dube on LW with Toffee. But, what do I know.