travel_dude

Shake off the rust. We haven't played in days...LOL

Begin Stage 1.

Sutter cracking jokes at the pre-game presser. Put the boots to the Sabres.

Rocket Doc does us a solid again. Good work Mr. The debut of Jarny.

That VAN games was just bad alround. Marky loses a blade and they throw Vladar in cold. Defense sucked. Again, that game in COL was a 1-0 game for intents and purposes. Fell off when they lost their legs. No excuses but the reason was 90 games in 3 nights. It's a lot different playing one game here or there than a series. VAN would get lit up. Not that it matters, since COL would get them at best.

A little blog about Pelletier. Has lots of clips. https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/deep-dive-calgary-flames-jakob-pelletier/

Pretty certain Jarny played wing in Seattle. Sutter mentioned he is comfortable on his off-wing, but plays all three spots. This gives me some pause. I know that Dube had a good game, and Sutter briefly mentioned the goal, but I don't think you can set lines based on just one game. Sutter was happy he put in the effort and won the draw that set up the Ritchie goal. Basically alluded to players needing to bring it every night to stay in. I may be one of the few, but I think we see Richardson waived sooner than later. Doubt teams will claim him when there is little movement, and with the TDL, you will see more and more waived. Not just for roster flexibility, but because we can keep Richardson waiting in the weeds. Salary a non-factor unless we need him. Can play in the playoff, if we need him. With that in mind, we may see something like: Top line Coleman-Backlund-Jarnkrok Mange-Ruzie-Toffee Lucic-Monahan-Dube/Lewis/Ritchie or Top line Mange-Backlund-Coleman Jarnkrok-Ruzie-Toffee Lucic-Monahan-Dube/Lewis/Ritchie Two easy choices, two different looks. Can take the strong side faceoff with either Backlund or Ruzie. Add a strong defensive winger to Backlund's or Ruzie's line. Coleman and Jarnkrok can play off-wing. Would be weird to see, but might match their play. Ruzie may or may not be 100% ready for playoff hockey, but he provides a spark during regular season. Since March 1st, he's played in only 2 losses. He is motivate to improve and prove every game he belongs. Sutter was miffed at the Ritchie double-minor. He sits regardless of whether we had Jarny or not.

When he was there, he was top line with Phillips, but may have been too early for Pelletier to play there. So, he replaces Gawdin. Top line will be, assuming he stays there, Pelletier-Ruzie-Phillips. Gawdin probably moves to 2nd line.

Really there is no ideal team to play against in the WC2 spot. Dallas, Vegas, EDM, VAN, NAS, MIN..... I think VAN would have trouble winning more than 2 games against us. Demko can stand on his head for maybe a game or two, in VAN. I doubt we see something resembling the loss like the 7-1 game we endured. But the point is I hate to have a win over VAN as possibly the only win in the playoffs. Really though, EDM is not set up to win any rounds. Doubt they would beat any team other than VAN, and that is questionable. LA is a scary team, but I think we can get them. NAS or MIN would be tough, but again we can beat them.

Sutter isn't even sure about how to use Jarny. See him as a solid guy that can play up and down and on the PK. He's not sure if he's a fit at C, much like the way he's using Dube. Dube had a good game as 4C, but has had weak ones as a C as well. Talked about needing and now having a RHS for top 9. But also talked about having competition for the 12F spots. Ruzie, like Dube, Lewis and Ritchie will have to earn the starts. Yeah, I know we have zero roster spots, but Richardson has played the less recently. Wins faceoffs, but doesn't even average a shot per game. Depth guy, but Sutter wants to win games.

I think he really has come onto his own, being out from under Gio's shadow.

EN time. Johnny or Toffee?

US born players... Maybe not as likely to play in Europe. Probably missed the labsta....

Weird career. Almost no games anywjere since he left here.

Was signed by STL last year IIRC

I don't think he will ever be a starter. Maybe not even a backup. He's always been a first shot goal type. Just doesn'ts instill confidence in th team. Even a non-playoff team. He's a 5th stringer for NJ

Gillies the only reason why this isn't 8 goals.

I was lookiing at the last 6 weeks of games. If I am not mistaken, Ruzie has only been in for two losses. VAN blowout and WAS loss.

Third Period. Begin Stage 6

Darn, gotta work on TDL. At least it should not be a busy day for Flames.

Not sure how they celebrate Gio's 1000th game when he doesn't play it. Guess he gets to play 1000th somewhere else.

Let's see if Eric Francis can put his foot in his mouth again. Sutter has praised Ruzie, not said he isn't tough enough. Would he prefer that he use the big body a bit more? Sure, but he's also not a grinder. Sutter wants him to give 100% every game.

Backlund should try to score on a night when he hist a milestone in games played. 804 tonight

Not many PP's in this game. Oops, just as I type that, we get a bench minor.