The Calgary Flames (17-15-2) have lost 7 games in a row. Their opponents tonight, the Vancouver Canucks (), have lost 5 games in a row.
A streak will end tonight.
I really hope it’s Calgary’s streak, because I am sick of writing the same “The Flames played well but something went bad and they lost!” game story. You can try and dress it up, but fundamentally we’re experiencing the exact opposite of October and November, and it’s just more fun to analyze wins than it is to dissect a string of very similar losses.
Is it time for us to crack each others’ heads open and feast on the goo inside? We’re not sure. We hope not. But with a loss against a reeling Vancouver Canucks team that is having a similarly tough go of it, it may be time to hit the proverbial panic button.
(For a view from the other side, visit our chums over at Canucks Army)
THE FLAMES
They’ve lost seven in a row. Likely we’ll see some line-up changes, but they’re not skating today. Keep an eye on Daily Faceoff, who have last night’s lines (seen below) and will have updated rosters as the day goes forward.
The Flames were alright last night at home, but now they’re (a) tired, (b) dejected and (c) playing a Vancouver Canucks team that has had a lot of success against them at Rogers Arena AND will be desperate to get back in the win column. As for the Flames – they’re just desperate to get some points on the board and turn this streak around before it hits Oilers territory.
I’d expect Karri Ramo to start, but that’s just me guessing based upon back-to-back games.
THE CANUCKS
Vancouver has lost six straight and have arguably been worse than the Flames during that stretch. Here’s lines from their last game via Daily Faceoff.
I would expect Ryan Miller to start, but that’s a guess.
These teams last met in the season opener in Calgary, but this is their first meeting in Vancouver this season. On-paper, the Canucks are the superior team. However, the Flames have surprised them before.
SUM IT UP
Via Hockeyfights.com
Nobody wants to enter the Christmas Break on a losing streak, but it’s likely one of these teams will. Calgary has lost seven straight. Vancouver has lost five. This is the opposite of a clash of titans. This is two desperate teams clashing for points that they both really, really need.
I expect a tight-checking game, filled with two nervous groups desperately trying not to mess things up for themselves.
Care to see what those Canucks fans are saying about tonight, click here.
I… I am going to hit the panic button.
It just seems – eye test – that the team is playing really differently since the ‘vets’ came back from injury. I miss the ‘old’ young Flames. 🙁
Also: please, please, please play the kids.
Poirier, Bennett, Wolf, Ferland. Bring them up.
Wotherspoon too.
Might as well, non?
Hell yes. This is retarded. I want Poirier Ferland Wotherspoon and Wolf ASAP
Wolf with a goal, 2 shots a scrap and +2 last night. Dump mcgrattan bollig stajan glencross for whatever you can get. Mix in a prospect and package some of them off. This is ludicrous
Apparently an ambulance has been called for the guy Wideman hit, that’s insane.
This kid will save us all!
Damn.
Whyyyyyyyyyyy!?
Fatigue got the better of us in the end and the 1st period, but something positive to build off for once. Next up Sutter and the Kings.
Guys calm down about losing everyone was fine and accepting of the fact that Calgary was going to be competing in the McDavid sweepstakes and right now that’s the team we have. Winning is nice but unless Calgary isn’t showing any heart and getting blown out I’m fine with losing these close games, where our rookies develop and learn how to win these games in the future.
I would like to apologize to every Flames fan right now.
I had to choose between dressing Vrbata or Hossa on RW tonight on my fantasy team. I took Hossa.
This is most likely the best way to ensure that Vrbata will get at least 5 points. Ugh.
Hiller seems to be getting the start tonight. You have to think that something must be bothering Ramo.
m.u.m.p.s. ???????
Indigestion from not so stellar effort last game.
If the Flames keep playing this way (entertaining hockey) and lose every game rest of the season we will get chacne at McDavid….no wait—Oilers will not even get 17 wins!
Lmfao. Can’t even help myself. Wtf
Has anyone else noticed over the last several games that NO ONE is covering the right point on the power play? I’ve seen it at least 5 or 6 times over the last few games. Someone passes back to the right point and no one is there and puck leaves the zone and kills over a quarter of the power play never mind trying to regain the zone.
Last moves we made we sewered our incredible start to the point it’s like it never even happened. Just genius
Another CGY post and out!
My patience with Glencross and Stajan is waning. Both need a change of scenary. Colborne has lost a step and doesn’t look good at all. But having said that, who has looked good in this game. They’re even struggling with line changes. Get ‘er going boys.
Thank you, Johnny Hockey. You are our saviour.
Oh my goodness that felt good! Let’s go get another one!
Kids these days, eh?
Speaking of which – bring up the kids from Addy, trade the vets for D and/or D prospects.
Either way, it’s a year of development in our rebuild, we need a deeper set of pairs on the Defensive side of things, and it’s clear that the team was running ablaze by the way the new(er) players played.
Woooooooooo! That’s a point!
The Flames get at least a point tonight. That officially grants the ‘nucks “SLUMPBUSTER” status.
Fudge!!
For Vancouver….
wow
Oh, and what was that pussy s*** in the last 15 seconds of the game? Hiding and crying in our own end, waiting for the clock to run down? That is some seriously weak and pathetic crap. Vancouver scoring right away was our karma for being scared to attack. So, so, SO disappointed and disgusted.
Man, that stings. I was on the edge of my seat. I thought we went into overtime with all the momentum and the first lazy shot we throw into their zone turns into a wide open shot in our slot for tanev….WHOSE FRICKEN BIRTHDAY’S TODAY!!!!!…….bad luck I geuss..or pdo, or whatever…..I don’t care anymore
* storms into the basement that his mom still rents him even though he’s 34 and she’s like”Jesus Christ!!!”
Fun fact: Corsi is wrong because we scored on our own net tonight.
Yep. Playoffs are over barring a minor miracle.
So many good things this season to be so negative though guys.