Scouting the Enemy: Calgary Flames

by FrankD on Mar 25, 2009 9:00 AM EDT in News Comment 15 comments

Record: 42-24-6

Leading scorers: Jarome Iginla (31G, 52A), Mike Cammalleri (36G, 39A)

The Calgary Flames were hailed as the team that most improved from the trade deadline. Jordan Leopold left the mountains of Colorado for the Saddledome, joined by former Coyote Ollie Jokinen who similarly left the deserts of Arizona.

Jokinen had an immediate impact with a two-goal performance in his first game as a Flame. Combined with the firepower of Jarome Iginla and Mike Cammalleri, not to mentioned backstopped by the league's win-leading goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff, one can hardly argue their success at the deadline and the threat they'd pose for the remainder of the season.

Yet recent games may change that perspective.

Calgary kicked off the month of March with an 8-6 loss to the Lightning, of all teams. Later that week it was a 6-1 loss to the Hurricanes, topped a week later in the disappointment column with an 8-6 loss to the Maple Leafs. Perhaps all was balanced out Monday night when the Flames beat the Red Wings 5-3, improving their season series record against Detroit to 2-1-1.

Sometimes good teams lose bad games, that's just how it goes. Calgary is a good team, as reflected by their 90 points in the West (third in conference). Their 5-6 record for the month of March eludes to a bit of a downturn in Calgary's season, but Pens fans may be mistaken if they start doubting the Flames.

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tonight will be a great game against a very talented team. I know that the flames D has been struggling as of late but if the Pens hope to take advantage of that fact they have to stay out of the box and strike on the PP. Go Pens Go

by lambofgad on Mar 25, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Staying out of the box would be nice. Looking back on the Flyers game, the Pens can’t afford to keep playing like that. But it was just one game. Time to bounce back.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Mar 25, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yah that was way too much.

I still think there’s some NBC conspiracy going on with the Pens game losing on national television like that… lol
Oh well.

by AppleSweetRose on Mar 25, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have work today,

And I’ll probably watch this game, fight for the tv and what not :)

by AppleSweetRose on Mar 25, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lookin forward to the game tonight and apparently Cooke has been promoted to Geno’s line so watch out for that tonight.

by penskorn6687 on Mar 25, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That could be interesting. He worked with Sid on a few occasions earlier in the year. Maybe Byslma is trying to play the same card.

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by FrankD on Mar 25, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

er…Bylsma.

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by FrankD on Mar 25, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should also point out that the Penguin Killer Jokinen is on the Flames now in case anyone forgot…hehe…..I mean….ugh.

by penskorn6687 on Mar 25, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this is a fantastic move. Malkin’s line has looked like it needed some more “grit” as of late. In addition to improving the second line, having Tenks on the third line will add some more skill to go along with Staal and the always moving Tyler Kennedy. I think that third line could be top two on a number of other teams in the league.

by PensFan024 on Mar 25, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see it as a way of Bylsma experimenting with the team’s depth. Last season’s roster really had a lot of options available that allowed for a lot of interchangeable lines. This season, I feel the Pens could’ve tapped into that theory a bit more earlier in the year but were either 1) afraid to do so or 2) too impatient to see it through past a game or two.

Therrien tried to work with Cooke on the top two lines earlier in the season and he produced two goals on Sid’s wing. It may have been a fluke night for him, but I think it was only a small glimmer into what he’s capable of. Put him on the right lines with the right guys and have him play a gritter style and I think he’ll put up more numbers. If anything, like I said below, perhaps his presence in front of the net can draw a penalty and at least put the PP on the ice.

We’ll see. Kinda looking forward to it.

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by FrankD on Mar 25, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just talking to my best friend about how I am not sold on the idea of Fedetenko being on Malkin’s line. This is the time when we miss Malone the most for he brings size, grit, and skill. 2 of those 3 words can never be used when describing Fedetenko.

That number one line needs a presence that Fedetenko can’t provide. I don’t think Cooke is the best answer either mind you, but he is the best we have.

Question is, what happens to Fedetenko? I don’t see him meshing with Stall and Kennedy either or on a 4th line. Does that mean we sit him and play the more physical Adams? I am thinking maybe

Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Cooke-Malkin-Sykora
Dupuis-Stall-Kennedy
Adams-Talbot-Godard

Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying

by Dr Tre on Mar 25, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see Tank as a fourth liner. He has made an appearance or two on the third line because he does know how to get physical in the corners. He may not mesh with Staal and Kennedy well in the speed and skill department, but if he can rock a few guys in the corners and loosen up the puck then maybe TK and Staalsy can take care of the rest.

It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out tonight. I’m often hesitant to see line changes, especially when it focuses around guys like Malkin and Sid. But Cooke can perhaps pose as the Chris Kunitz-type player on the second line and really get in front of the net and chip away. He’s also a pest (on paper at least), so maybe his presence in front of the net can draw a penalty or two in the process.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Mar 25, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i live in calgary!
cant wait to see this game…2 hours…
i was at the calgary-pittsburgh game last year
the hype for crosby was unbelievable, first time ive seen so many fans go to the saddledome early to see sid…
and not a bad number of pens fans either, anyway
go pens go!!! i hope kippers gonna have an off day lol

by pens_devil on Mar 25, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Go Flames Go

The Flames seem to play well against playoff teams and are brutal against the pretenders (Atlanta, Toronto, St. Louis), thankfully Pittsburgh is on a role, it should bring out the best in the Flames. 5-4 Flames.

by Keith M on Mar 25, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs