Pre-Game Talk: Calgary @ Anaheim - Nov 7, 2018

[Flames Fanatic]

I agree. I was a bit surprised to see Smith slotted in as tomorrow night's goalie (at least in practice today) but I guess management isn't quite ready to give up on Smith... yet.

Plus he's got a history of some big games in Anaheim.

Still would rather see Rittich personally.

 

[JPeeper]

Smith was 99% the reason why the Flames broke the Honda Center curse last year so hopefully he can have a similar game tomorrow.

Peters has wanted to get Neal on the 2nd line for a week now, but kept the 3M line together mostly for defensive reasons. Hoping they have a big game tomorrow.

Anaheim is in a downward spiral right now, if it weren't for Gibson they'd be a bottom 5 team. Need to get goals early and keep the pressure on the entire game, no more 3rd period comebacks, let's go into the 3rd with a lead.

 

[Rubi]

Peters is sweating and breathing hard. This guy goes out there in practice and works just as hard as the players. Very up tempo practices. No slacking allowed.

 

[Volica]

Would love us to go into the Pond, pump the ducks and keep the road trip going.

Have to prove it eventually that this team is different, the dynamics have changed and that these Ducks aren't the big bad team from the late 2000's to mid 2010's.

Honestly, if Calgary goes 2-0-1 on this trip, they're going to put a huge damper on the early season of LA and Anaheim. IF you're almost 20% into the season and already opening up a 8-10 point gap; it's how you separate yourself from the rest of the division.

 

[Rubi]

^^^^ Having Smith in net still makes me nervous. And it probably won't go away until the game is over or we have a 4 or 5 goal lead.

 

[CraigsList]

^^^^ Having Smith in net still makes me nervous. And it probably won't go away until the game is over or we have a 4 or 5 goal lead.

His career has always been average goaltending. Right now it’s far below from that, so I am expecting some good games out of him.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Peters basically stops playing fourth line in the third period if they're losing.

I'm okay with this.

Czarnik and Ryan should switch places

I'm also okay with this.

Derek Ryan is the poor man's Matt Stajan.

 

[Rangediddy]

My thought with Smith is you might as well play him after a good amount of rest. Anaheim is beaten up and if Gibson looks even slightly human, we should be able to put up 3+ goals so it's a good opportunity to see what Smith's deal was last week (mental vs. injury?). If he struggles against one of the lowest scoring teams, then he's as good as done.

That said, starting him against LA would carry the same logic Peters will have to know who the hot hand is to head into San Jose which will be the real test on the trip.

If Smith is lousy against Anaheim, he'll probably get the start against LA as its a weaker team and gives Rittich the start against a tougher Sharks team.
If Smith plays well, Rittich will probably get the start in LA because as long as Smith plays well he IS the #1 goalie.

 

[JPeeper]

^^^^ Having Smith in net still makes me nervous. And it probably won't go away until the game is over or we have a 4 or 5 goal lead.

At least 5 goal lead for me, maybe 4. Either way, if we have even a 2 goal lead with 5 minutes left I assume we will lose the game with Smith in net.

 

[Tkachuky]

Just f***ing win. A big win would be nice. Tough 3 games coming up. I have a feeling will suck either against ducks or kings and play well against sharks

 

[Flames Fanatic]

Peters is sweating and breathing hard. This guy goes out there in practice and works just as hard as the players. Very up tempo practices. No slacking allowed.

Good video.

Makes me wonder who the 7 leaders are. Gio, Backlund, Monahan and Tkachuk are the easy ones wearing letters. Hamonic is probably one if I had to guess.

 

[FlamerForLife]

The Ducks play tonight, so it's very possible we could see Ryan Miller tomorrow instead of Gibson, depending on who they start tonight.

 

[FlamerForLife]

Good video.

Makes me wonder who the 7 leaders are. Gio, Backlund, Monahan and Tkachuk are the easy ones wearing letters. Hamonic is probably one if I had to guess.

Hamonic, Neal & Smith if I had to guess the other 3 that don't wear letters.

 

[crackdown44]

The Ducks play tonight, so it's very possible we could see Ryan Miller tomorrow instead of Gibson, depending on who they start tonight.

I love it when you talk dirty

 

[SKRusty]

Good video.

Makes me wonder who the 7 leaders are. Gio, Backlund, Monahan and Tkachuk are the easy ones wearing letters. Hamonic is probably one if I had to guess.

Frolik, and Johnny. Neal being new won't be an official leader but as we get closer to play-off time he will become invaluable.

 

[CraigsList]

Finally get to see Czarnik play again

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Finally get to see Czarnik play again

At the expense of still having to see Hathaway play, though.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Hathaway will get the GWG tonight.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Hathaway will get the GWG tonight.

Ugh.

His opportune goals against the Rangers already bought him way too many games he had no business playing.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Ugh.

His opportune goals against the Rangers already bought him way too many games he had no business playing.

I too hate when Hathaway scores.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

I too hate when Hathaway scores.

I don't mind the goals, but Peters has to realize that he's Garnet Hathaway and if he scores it shouldn't buy him ice time the next six games.

 

[InfinityIggy]

I don't mind the goals, but Peters has to realize that he's Garnet Hathaway and if he scores it shouldn't buy him ice time the next six games.

Sure, but as long as he is seeing 4th line minutes I don't see the issue.

 

[Rubi]

I have no issue at all with Hathaway playing on the 4th line. He's a big body that has reasonable skills and hands and he provides a bit more grit into the lineup. He also is more than willing to jump into a fight to protect his team mate. I'd much rather have Hathaway fighting than anyone else in the lineup... well maybe Neal the way he's playing right now but thats never going to happen.
Nope... Hathaway is the best option we have as a 4th line RW.

 

[CraigsList]

I have an issue with Hathaway in when Czarnik is far more skilled than him.

 

[Calculon]

Taking Hathaway out makes a soft-ish team even softer. The game is moving towards skill and speed all the time but that doesn't mean you can completely ignore the grit element. I mean, Bennett's physical plays have been instrumental in two wins already.

Hathaway on the fourth line with his minutes getting cut in the third period is pretty much a perfect situation. And it sucks for Czarnik but they're not competing for the same spot for the most part. Czarnik needs to beat out the likes of Dube, Jankowski and Ryan to play regularly.

Although one can easily make the argument he has been better than all three and that Peters is playing favourites with Ryan especially or he just doesn't want to make changes after wins.