travel_dude

An interesting wrinkle of the rules of recalls. If the Flames use all of them by the end of the season, they have access to all of them, but can only keep 3 on the roster at any time. We have used 2 of 4 regular ones. If we call up 2 more and place them on the roster, we can cycle through them and keep as many as 3 on the roster. That's while Heat are still in the playoffs. I won't be that surprised to see two more guys called up and played in the final game. They may not be the best guys available. While Sutter's preference is to keep guys rolling, he may want to sit a playter or two, to give them a break on a meaningless game 82. B2B is not the best way to go into the playoffs. This is how I understand the rules.

They got back Brownie and Happytoseeyou. Although recent wins have been against lesser teams, they seem to be rounding into the usual stingy team. They don't have the players TSN loves to talk about, they are a lot tougher than their overall record implies.

The Oilers face a team they handled in the regular season. Well, not really handled, but LA went 1-2-1 with a shootout loss. Basically, the away team won each game. Smith has been anointed the starter mantle, so that should be an interesting series. I don't know if EDM is better this year over last year. Kulak is a good addition. Kane and Hyman add into goal scoring. Keith is not good. Ceci is soso. LOL. They claim he is the best D-man they have. I still see a lot of offence and not a lot of defensive structure. F don't backcheck in the D-zone. They are sitting at center ice waiting for a stretch pass. This series may be closer than people are suggesting. When Smith played lights out last playoffs, they couldn't win in OT. This year, Smith has started playing back to that level again. We all know what Smith does in the playoffs. Can't keep his hands off the puck and makes one good save but makes the next 5 look like he's amazing.

Well, Dallas and NAS are in the driver seat, but neither have clinched. Dallas goes head to head vs VGK, but then plays ARI the next night and ANA to finish. NAS plays us then a B2B with COL and ARI. Vegas has a B2B with Dallas and CHI, then last game is STL. The spoilers are making it interesting.

EDM failed to clinch 2n. VGK with an epic collapse. 4-2 lead with 2 minutes left and SJ ties it up with 0.9 seconds remaining. SJ wins in the shootout. Pacific EDM 98 with 3 GR LA 96 with 2 GR Vegas 90 with 3 GR VAN 87 with 3 GR. Nobody wanted to eliminate VAN. Their only path is through the WC.

No doubt. Looch talks more like a Calgarian these days than a BC boy. Maybe still not a rural type, but seems to embrace the lifestyle of the city. He's older, so naturally his energy levels ebb and flow. He's as much a cheerleader as a conscience. Will be a pleasant change to see his playoff game on this team. I watched an Oilers game today and see how regular season play differs from playoff style. Run and gun. How effective will that be? I think the slower pace, score in waves of pressure works maybe a bit better. The Oilers score a lot from the rush and from funneling tons of shots. A lot of low danger ones at that.

As much as he secretly is hoping to get this, he cares more about it being an important goal. Last night it was a goal that took the wind out of VAN's sails. They had just scored to make it 5-3 with time to get at least another. With the point, Gaudreau is now toed for 3rd all time for US born players. Just passed Joey Mullen and Patty Kane. Sutter has a lot more time for those three guys than the average fan. They have struggled at times, but last night was perhaps the best game overall from Looch. Was dialed into his responsibilities and skated fasted than I remember. He loves HNIC, but perhaps it was playing a game after a day off. When he plays close to the edge, he is fierce. Almost never worry about what you are getting from Lewis. It's the same every time. Ritchie till worries me (as does Looch) in our zone. Limit that play and we have a playoff line. Carpenter was Richardson insurance. We have 2 extra C's even though I would prefer to just use Lewis on RW. You have to love Sutter's comments about the team needing to be more professional at home. Go out and do your business and stop Blockchaining around. The fact that we have a similar road and home record speaks to that. Prepare and play the same way. Don't just perform for the fans.

Lucic had liitle room to get out of the blue paint. The Nucks player was in the crease, so there was no way to avoid it. As it was, Lucic skated on the least obtrusive angle and stride he could. Whoever was watching the feed fell asleep at the controls. They probably should have challenged it regardless of whether they were 100% sire. As far as success, I think it would have been a good goal. I've seen far worse ones get confirmed. Demko had time to recover, and the puck went over his pads. No touchy, still goally.

Johnny back to +61. 111 points, now 2nd most all time, just beat out Mullen. Pacing McD and Huberdeau. Pulling away from Draisaddle.

Replace that with $$$

He's saving all his scoring for the playoffs. Maybe a tuneup against Smashville

Johnny EN #39

Jarnkrok won't even score with the EN.

Big Zaddy

Double Dube.....

Waste of a PP with Bcklund out there.

Goalies must practice the luge during off times. Diving onto the ice head first into a crowd.

Dan the Man.

Johnny is like Oprah. He weighs the stats of every player on the ice wiith him. Should I pass? You get a goal, you get a goal, you get a goal. Backlund with his timely penalties....Grrr.

Stage 3 Complete Begin Stage 4 Anna 5 anna 6

Brett Ritchie trying to keep his spot in the lineup

Kylington seems to be one of our best man on man defender. Haven't seen him get beat in some time.

I'm not worried about that line at all. 2 guys with a lot of playoff experience and one that was a driver in our last series. The players that worry me are guys like Backlund, who disappear for stretches. Ritchie is big and may help, but I would prefer to see Ruzie in.

Sutter said he wanted to give Marky 4 days at least then another 4 before the playoffs.

Some pretty quick whistling there......