Game No. 51: Gimme a break
Ryan Lambert
January 26 2011 05:05PM
This is the last game before the Flames go on vacation. Let's make it count.
To me, the All-Star break has always been like the unofficial point at which you can pretty much tell who's gonna make the playoffs and who's going to flame out horribly (pardon the pun).
We've seen every team for about 50 games, and that's a significant amount of time in which to form an opinion about almost every squad, except those that have been horribly hampered by injury. St. Louis falls into the latter category, having lost (roughly) 10,025 man-games to injury this year. Despite this, they, like most every team in the Western Conference, is within a stone's throw of the playoffs. And depending on how quickly they can get big-time contributors back — in some cases, the answer is apparently "any day now" — it would appear that this young, talented, well-coached, upwardly mobile team is poised to make a late-season run.
But the Flames, just one point ahead of them in the standings, are a different animal. One must admit that while they've gotten points from eight of their last nine games — a mark few of us would have expected even two weeks ago — this does not appear to be a team capable of making the playoffs. Too much third-line cooks spoiling that broth, right? And yet here we are.
Calgary could jump as high as two points back of the playoffs, which was once thought impossible. Of course, there remains the possibility that a slide of longer than even two or three games could result in another trip down to 14th, depending on how the eight teams within three points of it fare.
The question, I think, is whether this break comes at an opportune time for the team. Better to take a couple days off, recharge the batteries and think about how you've been successful over the last week and a half, perhaps? Or maybe it would be preferable to keep the irons in the fire. Even when they haven't looked especially confident lately, they've at least looked hungry, a quality sadly lacking earlier in the season.
Should be a weird one tonight anyway. No changes for Calgary, Conklin in net. Who knows?
This banged-up version of the Blues is the farthest thing we could see from the Blues. Even Conklin is in net. Let's take a moment and re-live this great moment in Flames history, courtesy of Ty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwlvOmIe3XE
Davis Payne should just shave his head.
Erik Johnson can score!
That was great! Had a good laugh there
Game has really settled down since that goal.
Man, does Pardy ever look like a different player. He looks.....smooth...lets hope it's permanent.
Yeah, he's been pretty calm the last little while. I think he's become a capable 3rd pairing guy for sure.
Joker was horrid in that one, but the Flames generally controlled things otherwise. Chances were 6-3 for CGY.
I expect some kind of push back by the Blues in the second period here.
@Kent Wilson
Agree completely, Jokinen was awful, brutal. What was he even thinking that whole period
@schevvy
Happens to everyone, although Im usually not sure what he's thinking about.
Retire Tim Jackman's #15
Also, now that Iginla has a "dancing Iggy" thing they play after every goal he scores, watch him not score another goal at home this season.
Hope I eat my words
@dickshilling
haha, not sure that's possible with Jarome. Jokinen perhaps...
What happened to Rene Bourque?
@palooza
Nothing that I know of.
Anyone else realize Brad Boyes scored 43 goals three years ago? How did that happen?
There's a good Jokinen play. Mark your calenders.
Blues are starting to press now. Flames sitting back.
sarich should be put on waivers
Sarich is having a period to forget
@schevvy
A shooting percentage of more than 20% which he has never repeated.
Good to see Kipper settling back into his game. Looks solid so far.
I have to agree with Subversive.. Pardy looks very calm and collected. Smart with the puck and playing sound position hockey. Really makes you wonder if Reggie spends some time with him during practices.
Moss is playing like it's his contract year this year. Good to see him planted in front of the net Nieuwy style! .. Now where did I hear that before?
Is it just me or has Sarich really toned down demolishing people lately? i liked the way he started this year like he was playing to keep his roster spot. I'm not saying he's looked bad, but that edge seems a little... duller??
.. and with that Pardy just potted a nice break.. with a really nice pass from Jokinen [I'm just sayin..]
.. oh yeah, and just because someone mentioned him... "Brad Boyes, Brad Boyes.. Whatcha gonna do when he comes for you? Brad Boyes, Brad Boyes.."
Adam Pardy the offensive specialist!
Looking good. I say we start the parade at the dome and come right down Olympic Way eh?
S M O O T H move!
I hope Staios stays off
Chances were 8-3 for the Blues. Flames really lucky to be up by 3 at this point.
Amen.
As can be expected, Flames are begin run over in terms of possession, especially their top line. Probably not going to matter though:
I wish Bourque had as much heart as that employee on the A&W commercial.
Haha.. Too funny
Olli now at 598 points, could hit 600 2nite? I think he should be the dancer, not Iggy. He was the original one, with his Movember 'stache, and somehow the silliness of it all seems better to suited to the Yoke.
Probably not tonight, but soon.
@Kent Wilson
ya, not tonite, especially the way Period #3 is going.......
Ever notice how many teams have some guy get his first goal of the season against the Flames? Yes, sir, we provide equal opportunities for all....
I was just thinking the EXACT same thing!
haha...lots of "first wins" by goalies as well.
Boy.. the way Loubo calls the game, it's amazing we ever lose..
@Vintage Flame
Or people ever watch for that matter.
Cmon Moss...get the hatty.
Bring on the IGGY DANCE!!
good
you were wrong
dance, Iggy, dance
3 Stars??? Moss - Pardy and Kipper?
Edit: 2 out of 3 ain't bad..
Wow. Flames with one scoring chance in the third prior to the EN goal.
Well, at least the luck is turning when they really need it to I guess.
Seemed like the opposite a couple of weeks, or a month or two ago now, didn't it?
Get enough chances but yet seem to not pull it off? I guess its nice when its going the other way.
I hope Feaster is sincere when he talked about keeping Conny with a role in the organization.
There's nothing I want more than to be proven wrong on statements like these. I try to keep in mind that being self-loathing and cheering for the Flames generally go hand-in-hand
I didn't watch the game but if the scoring chances are an indication I really don't want this team to get me all wrapped up for a playoff push only to fall into 9th....
And 1 yr deals for Moss from here on?
Fun stat:
Anton Babchuk (with Flames this season) 34 Games - 3G 11A - 14P +5 Dion Phanuef this season 33 Games - 1G 10A - 11P -8