There's good and bad stuff happening in Flamesland these days. The bad: Jarome Iginla's play continues to be underwhelming, as does Phaneuf's. It's all but certain that neither will be in the running for a trophy by years end, which is admittedly a pretty high standard to expect. In addition, the team's defensive play has been shoddy since the all-star break in general and really seemed to step off a cliff during the recent 3 game roadie. The 5 of 6 they won in the Pacific was Kipper and bounces, mostly, because the club seemed to forget how to skate, pass, or cover people in their own end. If that continues, the club can say good-bye to their sizable cushion on the NW.
On the other hand, there's been some nice individual efforts from guys like Matt Lombardi, Rene Bourque (who Im developing a man-crush for in a totally hockey-limited and heretosexual way) and, surprisingly, Cory Sarich (on pace for a CAREER YEAR offensively.). Then there's Moss and Glencross, who both continue to do damage from the third line, no matter whom they're centered by.
Of course, Kipper was the guy who stole points in both Anaheim and LA recently, which may be the best news of all, and I would be even more jazzed about his recent upswing had he not given a 5-spot to the woeful Coyotes. The problem was probably more the guys in front of him that night, however, since once the Flames got up 6-2, the game turned into pond hockey and you could just see the players relax to the point of apathy when it came defensive zone assignments. Not that Im condoning that sort of complacency nor the shit show that followed, but human nature being what it is, maybe we can give the boys a pass since they won...assuming it doesn't carry over to this game.
Speaking of which, the Canucks have busted out of their own doldrums and have emerged as the only team that has an outside shot of contending for the NW Division crown. They have two solid lines now that they've moved Sundin to play with Kesler and Demitra, although that has created a potentially exploitable third group, where AV has sequestered the "underachievers" (Pyatt, Bernier, Raymond?).
For more thoughts on the Canucks and the game tonight, visit here.
Prediction - I don't like the first game back from road trips - especially ones where the team played terrible but still managed to win (meaning they probably didn't learn the lessons they would have had they lost). Canucks 4, Flames 2. Sundin, Burrows, Sedin (2) for Vancouver. Moss and Boyd for Calgary.
