- I have a gamethread up at SBN. I also penned a short article on Jamie Lundmark today.
- Calgary in Pittsburgh tonight. The Pens are one of those teams you can crush or that can crush you depending on how Crosby/Malkin play (and how the team handles them). They've been fairly decent recently (Calgary hasn't) so it'll be interesting to see how things go.
- Remember when the much hyped match-up between these two squads was Crosby versus Phaneuf? That seems a long time ago suddenly because it seems like gross mismatch currently.
- I'll be liveblogging the action for the Score tonight. Please drop by if you're free.
Showing posts with label Flames pregame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flames pregame. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
Another Flames gameday - Canes Country
- Another day, another gameday thread at SBN. Thanks to those of you who stopped by and commented last night. To anyone who hasn't, you should give it a try - SBN's functionality makes commenting and following a gamethread really smooth and easy. I know, I know - signing up for an 'account' is a pain in the ass. It doesn't take very long though and once you're done, you're done. Then you can go visit Mirtle at From the Rink and tell him how wrong he is about everything.
- I'm back liveblogging for the score this evening. Here's the link if you want to following along there instead (as well).
- Has anyone else had problems clicking the red "stats" button below the game scores at NHL.com? I was having issues with both firefox and safari (nothing would happen when I clicked the button to see the extended stats, etc), but figured out a go-around: when you type in www.nhl.com/scores, your browser will re-direct you to www2.nhl.com/scores. Simply highlight the "2" in the www string in the address, delete it and press enter. Your browser should refresh at www.nhl.com/scores where the stats button is actually active.
Of course, I don't know if this has been an issue for anyone else. If not, please ignore my rambling.
- I'm back liveblogging for the score this evening. Here's the link if you want to following along there instead (as well).
- Has anyone else had problems clicking the red "stats" button below the game scores at NHL.com? I was having issues with both firefox and safari (nothing would happen when I clicked the button to see the extended stats, etc), but figured out a go-around: when you type in www.nhl.com/scores, your browser will re-direct you to www2.nhl.com/scores. Simply highlight the "2" in the www string in the address, delete it and press enter. Your browser should refresh at www.nhl.com/scores where the stats button is actually active.
Of course, I don't know if this has been an issue for anyone else. If not, please ignore my rambling.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Flames/Flyers gameday links
- I have a gamethread going up at SBN in a few minutes. In it, I discuss some of the Flyers strengths and weaknesses.
- Another piece appears over at Flames Nation, where I look at the new potential lines and match-ups. TLP's gameday post is there as well.
- Matt has a good couple of posts on the Jokinen trade (he's not a fan). Tom Benjamin weighs in here as well. While WI waxes poetic about Lombo's possible mental state after the deal. Seems the speedster was more popular than I thought.
- Another piece appears over at Flames Nation, where I look at the new potential lines and match-ups. TLP's gameday post is there as well.
- Matt has a good couple of posts on the Jokinen trade (he's not a fan). Tom Benjamin weighs in here as well. While WI waxes poetic about Lombo's possible mental state after the deal. Seems the speedster was more popular than I thought.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Rematch and reprobates
There are a lot of questions facing the Flames this year and lots on the line for some of the major players in the organization - and by that I certainly don't mean the likes of Jarome Iginla or Dion Phaneuf.
One of those guys is Mike Keenan. Although he's amongst the most successful coaches in league history, a large measure of that success was had earlier in his career. In the last half decade or so, failure has been stamped all over everything Keenan has touched, including his ill-conceived foray into general management down in Florida. The surprise surrounding his hiring last summer was in part due to his earned reputation as a team destroyer and in part due to a prevailing consensus that Keenan was probably out of the league for good in light of his declining record in the business.
Last season, the Flames played well under Keenan for spurts. They also played very poorly. The results weren't much different from the lost season under Playfair with the promised step forward with an established, hard-assed Iron Mike behind the bench failing to occur.
Before heading into the season opener, I considered the possiblity of a bad start to be the worst possible outcome for this team in it's current iteration, considering the circumstances. Kipper is fragile, the roster is expensive, there's no cap room to make adjustments and fan patience for middling results is at it's expiration date. Also, Keenan isn't known for being tolerant or patient towards failure, nor is he a gentle touch under pressure. From my angle, the risk of things going sour, resulting in a poisonous environment is perilously high if the Calgary suffers from their annual October nosedive.
Last game, I was completely baffled by many of the Keenan's decisions. Ranging from putting Conroy on the first line to sitting David Moss for a majority of the game to giving the emerging Dustin Boyd precisely zero time on the PP. The line combinations that appeared once it was panic time were, to my eye, totally arbitrary and weren't in any way beneficial.
As such, I'm curious to see what happens this evening, in the wake of such a one-sided dismantling at the hands of a sworn rival. Part of me hopes that Iron Mike will correct some of the obvious shortcomings we saw on Thursday, part of me fears that he'll begin to go off the deep end.
On that note, here's the practice lines from this morning, according to Inside the Flames:
Bertuzzi-Langkow-Iginla
Cammalleri-Lombardi-Bourque
Glencross-Conroy-Moss
Prust-Primeau-Roy
Pardy-Phaneuf
Regehr-Sarich
Vandermeer-Aucoin
Assuming this is the true line-up (it may not be) I have to say Im dismayed. Conroy on the third unit works for me and that Lombo line has promise. However, if you look closely you'll notice Dustin Boyd and Mark Giordano aren't included here. Meaning they could be healthy scratches this evening. Primeau, Prust, Roy, Pardy and Vandermeer (and Aucoin, considering how he played in Vancouver) should be ahead of Boyd and Gio in the press-box line. I don't know if this is message sending or motivational tactics or what, but the above is not the best possible line-up for this team. And if Keenan actually thinks that scratching the two guys mentioned is a sensible strategy then, folks...we have a major problem on our hands.
One of those guys is Mike Keenan. Although he's amongst the most successful coaches in league history, a large measure of that success was had earlier in his career. In the last half decade or so, failure has been stamped all over everything Keenan has touched, including his ill-conceived foray into general management down in Florida. The surprise surrounding his hiring last summer was in part due to his earned reputation as a team destroyer and in part due to a prevailing consensus that Keenan was probably out of the league for good in light of his declining record in the business.
Last season, the Flames played well under Keenan for spurts. They also played very poorly. The results weren't much different from the lost season under Playfair with the promised step forward with an established, hard-assed Iron Mike behind the bench failing to occur.
Before heading into the season opener, I considered the possiblity of a bad start to be the worst possible outcome for this team in it's current iteration, considering the circumstances. Kipper is fragile, the roster is expensive, there's no cap room to make adjustments and fan patience for middling results is at it's expiration date. Also, Keenan isn't known for being tolerant or patient towards failure, nor is he a gentle touch under pressure. From my angle, the risk of things going sour, resulting in a poisonous environment is perilously high if the Calgary suffers from their annual October nosedive.
Last game, I was completely baffled by many of the Keenan's decisions. Ranging from putting Conroy on the first line to sitting David Moss for a majority of the game to giving the emerging Dustin Boyd precisely zero time on the PP. The line combinations that appeared once it was panic time were, to my eye, totally arbitrary and weren't in any way beneficial.
As such, I'm curious to see what happens this evening, in the wake of such a one-sided dismantling at the hands of a sworn rival. Part of me hopes that Iron Mike will correct some of the obvious shortcomings we saw on Thursday, part of me fears that he'll begin to go off the deep end.
On that note, here's the practice lines from this morning, according to Inside the Flames:
Bertuzzi-Langkow-Iginla
Cammalleri-Lombardi-Bourque
Glencross-Conroy-Moss
Prust-Primeau-Roy
Pardy-Phaneuf
Regehr-Sarich
Vandermeer-Aucoin
Assuming this is the true line-up (it may not be) I have to say Im dismayed. Conroy on the third unit works for me and that Lombo line has promise. However, if you look closely you'll notice Dustin Boyd and Mark Giordano aren't included here. Meaning they could be healthy scratches this evening. Primeau, Prust, Roy, Pardy and Vandermeer (and Aucoin, considering how he played in Vancouver) should be ahead of Boyd and Gio in the press-box line. I don't know if this is message sending or motivational tactics or what, but the above is not the best possible line-up for this team. And if Keenan actually thinks that scratching the two guys mentioned is a sensible strategy then, folks...we have a major problem on our hands.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
I don't want to alarm anyone but...
..the Flames have as many points as the Phoenix Coyotes. That's right, two thirds of the way through the year and the Flames are jousting for a play-off spot with the GOD DAMNED PHOENIX COYOTES. With apologies to Gretzky and his players and what they've accomplished this year, that's friggen ridiculous. I should also mention that the 'Yotes have more wins (31 vs 29), superior special teams (9th PP, 16th PK vs 21st PP, 22nd PK) and a better GD (+4 vs -4). The final kick in the groin? Their roster is about 10M cheaper than the Flames as well.
Ugh. If that isn't enough to send you red-faced and teary-eyed to the liquor cabinet, consider that David Moss has re-injured his ankle. That means more of Wayne Primeau in the line-up (probably). The big guns are still mis-firing, with Iginla spending a lot of time fishing for pucks in his skates while Langkow and Huselius are busy regressing back to their career norms. Tanguay looks as uneasy on the ice as he did when he first got here (trade deadline might have something to do with that) and only one in five passes from the defensemen to the forwards on the transition actually succeeds. On top of that fetid shit pile is a consistently inconsistent Kiprusoff, whose SV% has once again slipped below the base level for average NHL 'tenders (0.900) once again. In short, things are getting ugly. Sutter has about a week to decide if he wants to hang on to guys like Huselius and Langkow and make a hard charge towards the play-offs, or convert them into younger, cheaper players and future assets. Flames can make that decision a little easier or little more difficult for him this evening.
Anyways, let's forgo the prediction for tonight. I'll simply cross the fingers of the hand that isn't gripping the whiskey bottle and hope for the best.
Ugh. If that isn't enough to send you red-faced and teary-eyed to the liquor cabinet, consider that David Moss has re-injured his ankle. That means more of Wayne Primeau in the line-up (probably). The big guns are still mis-firing, with Iginla spending a lot of time fishing for pucks in his skates while Langkow and Huselius are busy regressing back to their career norms. Tanguay looks as uneasy on the ice as he did when he first got here (trade deadline might have something to do with that) and only one in five passes from the defensemen to the forwards on the transition actually succeeds. On top of that fetid shit pile is a consistently inconsistent Kiprusoff, whose SV% has once again slipped below the base level for average NHL 'tenders (0.900) once again. In short, things are getting ugly. Sutter has about a week to decide if he wants to hang on to guys like Huselius and Langkow and make a hard charge towards the play-offs, or convert them into younger, cheaper players and future assets. Flames can make that decision a little easier or little more difficult for him this evening.
Anyways, let's forgo the prediction for tonight. I'll simply cross the fingers of the hand that isn't gripping the whiskey bottle and hope for the best.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Flames @ Ducks - Fear and Trembling
Lots and lots of problems facing the Flames going into tonight. They've played a lot of shitty games in February (again!) culminating in the 6-3 hammering they suffered at the hands of the Kings - the worst team in the league - Friday night. They're stuck on the meniscus of the play-off bubble and the trade deadline is fast approaching. Does Sutter load up in a vain attempt to push his team into the first round (and beyond)? Or does he deal his attractive pieces (Langkow and Huselius) in an attempt to acquire some cheap/young assets for next year? In their current manifestation, the Flames don't look like they can move any of their difference makers without suffering some performance repercussions (potentially meaning no play-offs and/or loss in the first round) while next seasons roster is looking really expensive and really lacking in viable NHL quality forwards.
Decisions, decisions...
As for tonight, the Ducks will be looking to solve their persistent scoring problems against a team that has allowed 11 goals in 2 games against Edmonton and LA recently. As evidenced by the first period in Hollywood, the Flames are still struggling with issues in their own end. The big guns aren't overwhelming the opposition like they were earlier in the year and guys like Smith, Godard, Eriksson and occassionally, Dion Phaneuf continue to be detrimental to varying degrees in the defensive zone. Then there's Miikka Kiprusoff, who despite a slowing climbing SV%, continues to be less than stellar on a consistent basis. The Shut-outless count has reached over 50 games this year. And counting.
Some good stuff:
Lombardi et al were excellent on Friday against the Kings. They generated pressure and chances almost every time they hopped over the boards and didn't get scored on, despite the Flames yielding 6 goals against. Lomabrdi has slowly looked like the guy I like and remember since being deployed with actual NHL players the last few weeks. If one of his wingers actually had a goal scoring bone in his body, his point total over the last few weeks would be less pedestrian no doubt.
Dustin Boyd got scored on 3 times versus the Kings...but he still looked pretty damn good, particularly on his 5th goal of the year. He's detrimental mainly because of his POS wingers (Godard and Smith) and is another guy that would benefit greatly from playing with NHL caliber vets (Nilson perhaps?).
Anyways, prediction time. Flames have been pretty random in Feb, so let's go with that. Flames __ (set to generate 1 integer between 0 and 10), Ducks __ (same deal).
Let me know what your random predictions turn out to be*.
*(repeat if tie is yielded)
Go Flames.
Decisions, decisions...
As for tonight, the Ducks will be looking to solve their persistent scoring problems against a team that has allowed 11 goals in 2 games against Edmonton and LA recently. As evidenced by the first period in Hollywood, the Flames are still struggling with issues in their own end. The big guns aren't overwhelming the opposition like they were earlier in the year and guys like Smith, Godard, Eriksson and occassionally, Dion Phaneuf continue to be detrimental to varying degrees in the defensive zone. Then there's Miikka Kiprusoff, who despite a slowing climbing SV%, continues to be less than stellar on a consistent basis. The Shut-outless count has reached over 50 games this year. And counting.
Some good stuff:
Lombardi et al were excellent on Friday against the Kings. They generated pressure and chances almost every time they hopped over the boards and didn't get scored on, despite the Flames yielding 6 goals against. Lomabrdi has slowly looked like the guy I like and remember since being deployed with actual NHL players the last few weeks. If one of his wingers actually had a goal scoring bone in his body, his point total over the last few weeks would be less pedestrian no doubt.
Dustin Boyd got scored on 3 times versus the Kings...but he still looked pretty damn good, particularly on his 5th goal of the year. He's detrimental mainly because of his POS wingers (Godard and Smith) and is another guy that would benefit greatly from playing with NHL caliber vets (Nilson perhaps?).
Anyways, prediction time. Flames have been pretty random in Feb, so let's go with that. Flames __ (set to generate 1 integer between 0 and 10), Ducks __ (same deal).
Let me know what your random predictions turn out to be*.
*(repeat if tie is yielded)
Go Flames.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Flames Game Night
It's actually pretty amazing how results-oriented the general fanbase's interpretations and reactions of a game can be. For example, on messageboards and elsewhere there was a lot of post-Shark-rationalization in light of the Flames improbable victory that suggested the game wasn't that terribly lop-sided and, in fact, perhaps Calgary actually "deserved" the win. Of course, on many other nights where Kipper isn't inhuman or neither of the Flames first two low-percentage plays don't go in the net, a very similar match would result in a 7-2 ass-whooping and much hand wringing and wailing afterwards.
So let's not fool ourselves here. The Flames were out-shot more than 2-1 and probably out-chanced by the same ratio. They won by the grace of the hockey gods. It was their 3rd piss poor performance in the last 6 games and it's getting harder and harder to predict how this club is going to play on a nightly basis.
As such, Im not sure what to say about tonight. The opponent is the abysmal LA Kings, against whom the Flames have had a lot of success this year, thankfully. Of course, thanks to the incessant yo-yoing by Calgary since the start of the new calender, it's equally possibly they'll come out and crush the Kings 6-1 or completely and totally shit the bed and get crushed 5-0. So, flip a coin for the prediction.
One thing that might just be a certainty though: Miikka Kiprusoff won't get a shut-out while Anders Eriksson is playing top 4 minutes. Bubba's presence besides Phaneuf against anyone besides scrubs pretty much assures a number of quality scoring chances against every game. I can't imagine why this state of affairs persists, besides, perhaps, the possibility that an Eriksson/Hale duo just makes Keenan way too nervous...
Anyways, enough humbug. Here's a speculative exercise to distract you from the above depressing post:
Assuming a deal involving one of the Flames key UFAs (Langkow, Huselius) is mediated by the nature of the return, what do YOU think Sutter would need to get in a trade for a.) Langkow or b.) Huselius in order to make the transaction "worth it" from a Flames perspective? All budgetary concerns for next year considered, of course.
So let's not fool ourselves here. The Flames were out-shot more than 2-1 and probably out-chanced by the same ratio. They won by the grace of the hockey gods. It was their 3rd piss poor performance in the last 6 games and it's getting harder and harder to predict how this club is going to play on a nightly basis.
As such, Im not sure what to say about tonight. The opponent is the abysmal LA Kings, against whom the Flames have had a lot of success this year, thankfully. Of course, thanks to the incessant yo-yoing by Calgary since the start of the new calender, it's equally possibly they'll come out and crush the Kings 6-1 or completely and totally shit the bed and get crushed 5-0. So, flip a coin for the prediction.
One thing that might just be a certainty though: Miikka Kiprusoff won't get a shut-out while Anders Eriksson is playing top 4 minutes. Bubba's presence besides Phaneuf against anyone besides scrubs pretty much assures a number of quality scoring chances against every game. I can't imagine why this state of affairs persists, besides, perhaps, the possibility that an Eriksson/Hale duo just makes Keenan way too nervous...
Anyways, enough humbug. Here's a speculative exercise to distract you from the above depressing post:
Assuming a deal involving one of the Flames key UFAs (Langkow, Huselius) is mediated by the nature of the return, what do YOU think Sutter would need to get in a trade for a.) Langkow or b.) Huselius in order to make the transaction "worth it" from a Flames perspective? All budgetary concerns for next year considered, of course.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Battle of Alberta - Hockey day Edition
An eloquent example of the Flames post New Years issues is the fact that they trail the Oilers 3-2 in the season series so far. Is there any other team that's done this poorly against the greasers this year? I doubt it.
The problems afflciting the Flames during this recent bout of futility are obvious: slow starts, bad luck, under-performing top 6 and an ineffective PP (connected to the previous two points, obviously). Iginla and Huselius were an unstoppable duo for about 6 weeks there. Now they can't seem to buy a goal, Iggy's improbable last second game tying marker notwithstanding. Juice has something like 2 points in his last 11. At least one of these guys has to rediscover his mojo pretty quickly if Calgary is to make a serious push for the NW division crown and/or the post-season. There was a brief moment at the end on January where Conroy and Nolan looked like honest-to-god top 6 forwads (in terms of offensive contributions), but they've predictably fallen back into relative impotence.
Also, does anyone else sit down to watch a Flames game with the question "is THIS the game Kipper will get a shut-out?" in their heads these days? It's starting get kind of depressing.
Anyways, Calgary played their worst game of the year against the Oil last week. It was the start of this downward spiral. Perhaps they can get back on track with a convincing win tonight. Flames 5, Oilers 1. Iginla (X2), Lombardi, Huselius and Langkow for Calgary. Horc...err...Sour...uh...Nylander for Edmonton.
The problems afflciting the Flames during this recent bout of futility are obvious: slow starts, bad luck, under-performing top 6 and an ineffective PP (connected to the previous two points, obviously). Iginla and Huselius were an unstoppable duo for about 6 weeks there. Now they can't seem to buy a goal, Iggy's improbable last second game tying marker notwithstanding. Juice has something like 2 points in his last 11. At least one of these guys has to rediscover his mojo pretty quickly if Calgary is to make a serious push for the NW division crown and/or the post-season. There was a brief moment at the end on January where Conroy and Nolan looked like honest-to-god top 6 forwads (in terms of offensive contributions), but they've predictably fallen back into relative impotence.
Also, does anyone else sit down to watch a Flames game with the question "is THIS the game Kipper will get a shut-out?" in their heads these days? It's starting get kind of depressing.
Anyways, Calgary played their worst game of the year against the Oil last week. It was the start of this downward spiral. Perhaps they can get back on track with a convincing win tonight. Flames 5, Oilers 1. Iginla (X2), Lombardi, Huselius and Langkow for Calgary. Horc...err...Sour...uh...Nylander for Edmonton.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Hawks and Flames Preview
Quick one before the game tonight.
Calgary is in a position where they can ill afford to keep giving up points to the lesser lights. They've made a bad habit of it in the New Year and are in the midst of a tooth and nail battle for a play-off spot. God knows how the NW division would look if the Canucks weren't decimated by injuries. As it is they're just 3 points back of Calgary, with the bloody Avs (even without Sakic, Smyth and Statsny) continuing to keep pace. It looks like it'll come down to the wire and the Flames will want to be in a favorable position going into the string of 9 divisional contests to end the year.
As such, Calgary has to come out and play against the Hawks the way the played the last 10 minutes of the game against the Coyotes - except all night this time. With Jarome's slump punctured, one can hope the top line will be back to contributing at ES, which would go a long way to claiming victory this evening (Chicago's kids aren't that good at ES yet). The Blackhawks are in the middle of a big, long roadtrip and playing their 2nd game in 2 nights. They have lost 5 in a row and their starting tender tonight (The Bulin Wall) has lost his last 10: in sum, they're ripe for the picking. A good, fast start should bury the opposition tonight - so let's all hope for a decent first period for a change.
Some interesting things from last game:
A Phaneuf/Regehr pairing emerged in the 3rd period. I don't know if that was because Keenan was looking for offense or because Cory Sarich played like Peter Mueller was invisible to him most of the game, but either way it looked pretty good. That said, I doubt it will persist into this game.
The 4th line actually out-shot and out-chanced someone for the first time in recent memory. Im sure some of that had to do with the opposition (who was also quite tired), but I think the fact that everyone could, you know, at least skate for a change (sorry Godard, Primeau) was a significant factor. According to Inside the Flames, that trio (Nilson, Boyd, Smith) will be back together tonight. Good news.
Apparently Tanguay and Conroy will be back up with Iginla, meaning a Langkow/Huselius/Nolan second line. I'd bet dollars to donuts that that also means Jarome will be facing the tougher assignments again.
Anyways, I'll stick with the "no prediction" preview. Worked for the Phoenix game...
Calgary is in a position where they can ill afford to keep giving up points to the lesser lights. They've made a bad habit of it in the New Year and are in the midst of a tooth and nail battle for a play-off spot. God knows how the NW division would look if the Canucks weren't decimated by injuries. As it is they're just 3 points back of Calgary, with the bloody Avs (even without Sakic, Smyth and Statsny) continuing to keep pace. It looks like it'll come down to the wire and the Flames will want to be in a favorable position going into the string of 9 divisional contests to end the year.
As such, Calgary has to come out and play against the Hawks the way the played the last 10 minutes of the game against the Coyotes - except all night this time. With Jarome's slump punctured, one can hope the top line will be back to contributing at ES, which would go a long way to claiming victory this evening (Chicago's kids aren't that good at ES yet). The Blackhawks are in the middle of a big, long roadtrip and playing their 2nd game in 2 nights. They have lost 5 in a row and their starting tender tonight (The Bulin Wall) has lost his last 10: in sum, they're ripe for the picking. A good, fast start should bury the opposition tonight - so let's all hope for a decent first period for a change.
Some interesting things from last game:
A Phaneuf/Regehr pairing emerged in the 3rd period. I don't know if that was because Keenan was looking for offense or because Cory Sarich played like Peter Mueller was invisible to him most of the game, but either way it looked pretty good. That said, I doubt it will persist into this game.
The 4th line actually out-shot and out-chanced someone for the first time in recent memory. Im sure some of that had to do with the opposition (who was also quite tired), but I think the fact that everyone could, you know, at least skate for a change (sorry Godard, Primeau) was a significant factor. According to Inside the Flames, that trio (Nilson, Boyd, Smith) will be back together tonight. Good news.
Apparently Tanguay and Conroy will be back up with Iginla, meaning a Langkow/Huselius/Nolan second line. I'd bet dollars to donuts that that also means Jarome will be facing the tougher assignments again.
Anyways, I'll stick with the "no prediction" preview. Worked for the Phoenix game...
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
A More Sombre and Humble Pregame - Coyotes @ Flames.
Flames have a chance to rinse the unpleasant taste of the Edmonton game out of their mouths tonight against the surprising Coyotes. However, considering their record against relatively "lesser" opposition recently, I have my anxieties about that actually happening.
Since January 1st, the only sub-play-off club the Flames have beaten is the LA Kings. Phoenix, NYI and Edmonton (X2!) have all laid a lickin' on Calgary since then.
The other bad (and related) news is the continued struggles of one Jarome Iginla, who is looking more and more like his inept doppleganger, Jarmoe recently:
GP G A ESP ESP/60 EV+/-
10 0 5 3 1.98 -1
Those are some ugly numbers for a guy of Iginla's caliber. Add in the paltry 2 PP assists in the same time frame and this is one of the worst periods of hockey we've seen from the Captain in a long time. The quality of the opposition (Coyotes, Islanders, Nashville, Oilers X2, Wild X2, Dallas, LA, San Jose) and the fact that Keenan spent a lot of time giving the softer match-ups to Jarome on home ice makes it all the more puzzling.
Ahhh well. We just have to file this under "gonna work itself out eventually". It just sucks that Iggy's slump had to correspond with a big stretch of *ahem* highly winnable games. Now instead of being locked atop the NW division, Calgary's back to 7th in the WC and a mere stones throw away from being out of the post-season picture altogether.
Some of the other problems are getting a comfy seat tonight though. Word is, Godard, Primeau and Warrener will be healthy scratches with Smith, Nilson and Eriksson drawing in in their stead. It's theoretical, but a 4th line of Smith-Boyd-Nilson certainly looks like less of a liability than one of Primeau-Boyd-Godard. I guess we'll see if that's true or not...
For their part, the Coyotes are going to make it difficult this evening. Going into the season I thought they looked like the worst team in the league, but they've done everything they could to prove me (and sizable portion of other people) wrong. Gretzky has a fast, young, tenacious group of players on his hands, backed by a respectable blueline and Ilya Bryzgalaov. A lot of credit has to go to the Great One and co. this year - they've defied the odds with everyone laughing in their faces. If their kids can continue to perform at this level, the post-season isn't out of the question for the Desert Dogs. And that alone should garner Wayne some Jack Adams consideration.
Prediction - None. I've learned my lesson. Just hoping for something less embarrassing.
Go Flames.
PS - For Yotes insight, visit One Fans Perspective.
Since January 1st, the only sub-play-off club the Flames have beaten is the LA Kings. Phoenix, NYI and Edmonton (X2!) have all laid a lickin' on Calgary since then.
The other bad (and related) news is the continued struggles of one Jarome Iginla, who is looking more and more like his inept doppleganger, Jarmoe recently:
GP G A ESP ESP/60 EV+/-
10 0 5 3 1.98 -1
Those are some ugly numbers for a guy of Iginla's caliber. Add in the paltry 2 PP assists in the same time frame and this is one of the worst periods of hockey we've seen from the Captain in a long time. The quality of the opposition (Coyotes, Islanders, Nashville, Oilers X2, Wild X2, Dallas, LA, San Jose) and the fact that Keenan spent a lot of time giving the softer match-ups to Jarome on home ice makes it all the more puzzling.
Ahhh well. We just have to file this under "gonna work itself out eventually". It just sucks that Iggy's slump had to correspond with a big stretch of *ahem* highly winnable games. Now instead of being locked atop the NW division, Calgary's back to 7th in the WC and a mere stones throw away from being out of the post-season picture altogether.
Some of the other problems are getting a comfy seat tonight though. Word is, Godard, Primeau and Warrener will be healthy scratches with Smith, Nilson and Eriksson drawing in in their stead. It's theoretical, but a 4th line of Smith-Boyd-Nilson certainly looks like less of a liability than one of Primeau-Boyd-Godard. I guess we'll see if that's true or not...
For their part, the Coyotes are going to make it difficult this evening. Going into the season I thought they looked like the worst team in the league, but they've done everything they could to prove me (and sizable portion of other people) wrong. Gretzky has a fast, young, tenacious group of players on his hands, backed by a respectable blueline and Ilya Bryzgalaov. A lot of credit has to go to the Great One and co. this year - they've defied the odds with everyone laughing in their faces. If their kids can continue to perform at this level, the post-season isn't out of the question for the Desert Dogs. And that alone should garner Wayne some Jack Adams consideration.
Prediction - None. I've learned my lesson. Just hoping for something less embarrassing.
Go Flames.
PS - For Yotes insight, visit One Fans Perspective.
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