Tonight marks the start of a difficult 4 game roady for Calgary. After St.Louis, the Flames will see Montreal, New York (Rangers) and Detroit; meaning points will be difficult to come by the next few days.
St.Louis an interesting if battle scarred club. They have some decent veteran pieces and a couple of kids that should be difference makers in a few years (Johnson, Oshie, Berglund and Perron), but they just aren't there yet. The injuries to Kariya, Johnson, McDonald and Oshie aren't helping anything, but even with a healthy line-up this is a team battling to be middling.
The Flames have some concerns of their own, however. Beyond injury problems (which have seemingly expanded to include Adrian Aucoin - just when it looked like he might actually be providing value for his contract), guys like Phaneuf and Iginla have been less than stellar for awhile now.
Speculation is that Dion was put off by Avery's comments last game, resulting in his atrocious performance. In truth, Phaneuf has been "ordinary" for quite some time, especially in terms of defensive responsibilities. Playfair was on the radio the other night and he said Phaneuf is "simply trying to do too much" whenever he's on the ice, which sounds about right. Every shift doesn't have to include a big hit or end-to-end rush, especially when you're playing 30 minutes a night.
In truth, Giordano has looked like the more grounded and dependable of the duo recently and (no slight to Gio here) that's not good. Dion stepped out of the "high potential!" phase when he signed his $6.5M contract this summer. The team can't afford for him to be a chaos defender anymore. Time to shape up.
Then there's Jarome Iginla. After watching him be totally ineffective against a questionable adversary Tuesday night, I have to conclude that the Captain just ain't right.
Iginla has more empty net goals (3) than even strength goals (2) through 25 games this year. Bourque, Glencross and Moss all have better ESP/60 rates - and a couple of them have faced tougher competition according to behind the net. That's not the difference maker we've come to know and love 'round these parts. Iginla has been beating up on the opposition for years at ES, but that dimension has been severely lacking through the first quarter of this season. Maybe he's injured, maybe he's not getting the bounces, maybe it's an issue of chemistry - whatever it is, I still assume that Iginla will get things going eventually. Sooner rather than later would be preferable though. As in, starting tonight.
Boyd hasn't skated recently, so we'll assume he's still out. Not sure what happens if Aucoin is unable to go - I assume a replacement will be called up from the farm, but who? Eriksson The Terrible, he of the waiver-wire risk? Matt Pelech, even though he's struggled to be relevent at the AHL level so far? Ryan Wilson, an un-drafted 20 year old in his first pro season?
All of them are a few steps away from ideal - or even "workable". Pelech would be my guess were I forced to choose.
Prediction - Flames drop a close one and panic ensues. St.Louis 3, Calgary 2. Boyes, Berglund and Backes for the Blues. Lombardi and Bourque for the Flames.
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Final reminder - tonight is the Battle of Alberta/FHF meet-up at Schanks North. Matt and I will likely be joined by walkinvisble and Leanne as well as whoever else cares to show up. The FAN960 crew will be there doing their thing all night, so if you're curious about what people talking on the radio looks like, by all means drop by - even if you are a scummy Oilers fan.
Also, if you're wondering how to locate us in the cavernous sports bar, just look for the group of 30-somethings discussing line match-ups and taking pot shots at Bertuzzi. Also, some of us may be playing this Flames-themed drinking game:
Drink if Bertuzzi makes a back-hand pass. Twice if it's to nobody in particular, and again if it's "through the legs".
Drink if Aucoin's shot gets blocked (if he's in the line-up).
Drink when Bourque or Moss wins a battle along the boards.
Drink if Kipper lets in a stinker. Buy a pitcher if he gets a shut-out.
Drink when Giordano keeps the puck in at the offensive blueline.
Drink when Prust gets in a fight. Have another if he wins it.
See you there. Or, if not, feel free to try this drinking game at home alone.
Go Flames!
