Calgary down in the sunny Southern States tonight. They've lost 3 in a row to bottom barrel opponents and need to get back on the horse sooner rather than later.
Good news is, Calgary's beaten the Preds 3 times in a row after being their virtual prison bitch for a couple of consecutive seasons. However, given that Nashville is easily the toughest opponent the Flames have faced since San Jose (2-3-1 in that span) they certainly can't afford to take them lightly.
In his preview, Matt suggests Keenan experiment with a new third line tonight, since Trotz likes to run his scoring unit (Arnott, Radulov and Dumont) out against weaker sisters (ie: Lombardi, Boyd). I certainly agree with him, though I doubt Keenan will alter his strategy now: Iron Mike has failed to waver from his "kid" line since it's inception, despite 5 or 6 weeks of the young'ins being demonstrably murdered night in/night out. Hopefully I'm wrong though and Keenan cobbles together something a little more able to withstand the rough going.
In addition I'd also like to see Iginla find his range again and the PP to be decidedly less flaccid (connected issues, I know). The top liners are still generating shots and chances, but the puck hasn't been bouncing right during this little slump. The puck has to start going (back) in at some point, right?
The biggest problem from the last couple contests has been the defensive coverage though. It was simply abysmal against the Islanders and Oilers, neither of whom represents the best the league has to offer in terms of offensive prowess. Cory Sarich in particular had a tough 2 game stretch where he gave the puck away and lost checks with equal abandon. Anders Eriksson is doing his damnedest to prove that a guy can only play above his head for so long (is there a worst player on the Flames for keeping the puck in at the offensive blueline?) and Rhett Warrener is still susceptible to being beaten to the outside...by 3rd line players (see him versus against Ethan Moreau last game for further proof).
Something Ferraro pointed out repeatedly during the game against Edmonton was Calgary's penchant for giving the puck away just inside their own zone. I don't know if it was an artifact of a "bad game" or an easily stuffed break-out (slow, winding board clears to wingers who appear to be a little too high in the zone), but it killed the Flames transition game on Sunday...
Ahh well. Chin up, it'll be a better day tomorrow, etc.
Prediction - Flames 3, Predators 2. Iginla (X2) and Phaneuf for Calgary. Radulov and Zidlicky for Nashville.
Go Flames!
The Forechecker has your Preds coverage.
UPDATE - According to Inside the Flames, David Moss was seen skating in Nashville and may actually play tonight! Seems a little out of the blue and surprising given the amount of time he's been out (I was expecting a conditioning stint of some sort), but that's potentially good news. Also, Adrian Aucoin was seen on the ice and may partake as well.
Where does Moss land if he does return? Beside Lombo, bumping Boyd to the 4th line? Maybe he'll start out there himself so he can ease back into action?
