GDT: Flames season opener! San Jose Sharks @ Calgary Flames, 4:00PM on SNET-W and Fan 960

[Bosnian Beast]

(0-0-0) visiting the Saddledome to play against the (0-0-0)

New Season, New Players, New Coach

Wait... New Coach?

The boys are back in town!

When? 4:00PM
Where? The Saddledome ... Sportsnet West or the Fan 960
Live Streams: TBA

The projected lines for your Calgary Flames

Curtis Glencross - Alex Tanguay - Jarome Iginla

Sven Baertschi - Mikael Backlund - Mike Cammalleri

Roman Horak - Matt Stajan - Lee Stempniak

Blake Comeau - Steve Begin - Tim Jackman

Mark Giordano - Jay Bouwmeester

Chris Butler - Dennis Wideman

Derek Smith - Cory Sarich

Miikka Kiprusoff

Injured or on Leave
Roman Cervenka (blood clot)
The Anton (shoulder)
Jiri Hudler (family matters)

Game Time Decisions for The Flames
- Blair Jones scratched in favour of Steve Begin for this afternoons game
- TJ Brodie looks like he'll be a healthy scratch for game one this afternoon

The projected lineup for the San Jose Sharks

Patrick Marleau - Joe Thornton - Joe Pavelski
Ryan Clowe - Logan Couture - Martin Havlat
TJ Galiardi - Michal Handzus - Tommy Wingels
Frazer McLaren - Andrew Desjardins - Adam Burish

Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Brad Stuart
Matthew Irwin - Dan Boyle
Douglas Murray - Justin Braun

Antti Niemi

Players to watch (courtesy of the Flames website):

Logan Couture (Last season: GP: 80 | GOALS: 31 | ASST: 34 | PTS: 65)

Couture has quickly become one of San Jose’s biggest scoring threats, posting back-to-back 30-goal seasons. The London, ON. native was an all-star last season and nothing in his game has given Sharks fans any reason to doubt they won’t get the same effort this season out of the 23-year-old.

TJ Galiardi (Last season: GP: 69 | GOALS: 9 | ASST: 6 | PTS: 15)

Joining the Sharks with the now-departed Daniel Winnik at the NHL Trade Deadline last season, Galiardi struggled in his short audition. Better acquainted with head coach Todd McLellan, the Calgary Hitmen alumnus will have a better opportunity to prove he can hang in San Jose.

Joe Thornton (Last Season: GP: 82 | GOALS: 18 | ASST: 59 | PTS: 77)

Though one of the league’s elite passers and playmakers, Thornton has failed to reach the 80-point plateau in each of the last two seasons. He’ll come into the season with a little extra motivation and comes into the year game-ready after a successful stint with HC Davos of the Swiss League during the lockout.

Goaltenders Matchup:
Miikka Kiprusoff (Last Season: 35-22-11, 2.35 GAA, .921 SV%)
Antti Niemi (Last Season:34-22-9, 2.43 GAA, .910 SV%

More Information Before The Game Today:
- The Flames were 2-1-1 against the Sharks last season
- Chewbacca, I mean Brent Burns, is a game time decision following a hernia surgery
- Justin Braun (hand) and Jason Demers (wrist) are out for the Sharks
- Douglas Murray looks like he belongs on Honey Boo Boo or Swamp People or something. Seriously, look at this.

And finally...

GO GO
​

Sorry for no theme today, I tried to do the Lego thing but it wasn't working out. I'll try for a theme for the Ducks tomorrow!

Click to read more...

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

Your GDTs always rock, ToBroSto! T-minus 5 hours and change!

 

[DCDM]

Can't believe it's not Butter!

That's great. Awesome GDT. Let's hope we can kick the season off on a high note. GFG!

 

[Bosnian Beast]

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook, I felt it was necessary to post in the GDT, since we are playing the Sharks today.

 

[Ynnek]

5-2 flames lets do this.

 

[Svenner]

- Chewbacca, I mean Brent Burns, is a game time decision

 

[TheHudlinator]

Can't believe it's not Butter!

That's great. Awesome GDT. Let's hope we can kick the season off on a high note. GFG!

This should be our motto this season.

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

4-2 Flames win.

GFG!

 

[Backlund]

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook, I felt it was necessary to post in the GDT, since we are playing the Sharks today.

Beautiful. Lets hope Sarich can do that again tonight.

 

[Trae]

I miss the days when we were that tough to play against

 

[Noori]

Absolutey hated the Butter/Dutter thing, but that was awesome.

 

[Gritty]

4 - 3 Flames win! Expecting a very exciting game!

 

[Svenner]

5 out of 6 of our first games are at home, A good start is huge for this team

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Brent Burns is creepy.

4-2 Flames

Iginla, Smith, Bartschi and Backlund with the goals for CGY.
Clowe and Boyle for SJ.

 

[Noori]

Don't like that Brodie is sitting.

 

[Kanye]

Bartschi Backlund Cammy line is going to be fast and skilled. I can't wait.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Don't like that Brodie is sitting.

I'm more bothered that he would be replacing Smith. If anyone was shaky enough to lose their spot last season, my pick would be on Butler.

 

[Trae]

I'm nervous for Wideman-Butler, but I haven't seen them play together yet, so we'll have to see. Hope Hartley knows what's up!

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

5 out of 6 of our first games are at home, A good start is huge for this team

Yeah, IMO this home stretch could define the season.

 

[Rolie]

Can't wait for this one.

GO FLAMES GO

 

[haQ Loob]

Don't like that Brodie is sitting.

couldn't agree more.

But Go Flames Go anyway!

 

[haQ Loob]

I also see that flames.nhl.com has Begin starting instead of Jones. I liked Jones last year...Hope he's not hurt.

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

I also see that flames.nhl.com has Begin starting instead of Jones. I liked Jones last year...Hope he's not hurt.

Eh, I'm fine with either one, really. Both are energy guys.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Jones looks blazed as **** in his picture.

 

[Bosnian Beast]

I also see that flames.nhl.com has Begin starting instead of Jones. I liked Jones last year...Hope he's not hurt.

Could just be Hartley's preference after this mornings skate. It was between Begin and Jones.

On a separate note, I'm equally displeased to not see Brodie playing in the opener this afternoon. But maybe he just didn't impress Hartley this morning.