The Flames and Canucks have skated in advance of Game 1 of their series later tonight.
Here’s what we know afterwards. I’m not in Vancouver, so here are a bunch of tweets from some fine media persons who are there.
THE CANUCKS
Very optional for #canucks. Horvat, Sbisa, Kenins, Matthias, both goalies & scratches
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) April 15, 2015
It’s official: Eddie Lack gets start tonight for Vancouver.
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) April 15, 2015
Willie says it wouldnt have been fair to put Miller in this situation when he hasnt had enough time to get ready coming off injury. #canucks
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) April 15, 2015
The Canucks didn’t ice a full group, so no lines from morning skate.
THE FLAMES
Paul Byron and Sean Monahan are on the ice for #Flames morning skate. Projected lines and pairings to follow. pic.twitter.com/EcL4mJRIgp
— Derek Wills (@Fan960Wills) April 15, 2015
#Flames morning skate and injured captain Mark Giodano on the ice. Not exactly cooling the jets of people hoping for a return.
— Randy Sportak (@SUNRandySportak) April 15, 2015
#Flames projected lines vs #Canucks:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bennett-Backlund-Colborne
Ferland-Stajan-Jones
Bollig-Granlund-Jooris
#CGYvsVAN
— Derek Wills (@Fan960Wills) April 15, 2015
#Flames projected pairings vs #Canucks:
Russell-Wideman
Brodie-Engelland
Schlemko-Potter
Goaltenders:
Hiller (Starter)
Ramo
#CGYvsVAN
— Derek Wills (@Fan960Wills) April 15, 2015
#Flames coach Hartley wouldn’t divulge if Raymond/Bennett or Byron are in but Raymond is in the ice with Shore and Wotherspoon.
— Randy Sportak (@SUNRandySportak) April 15, 2015
Sure does sound like Sam Bennett is IN tonight, and Karri Ramo will dress as back-up. From what I read, Hartley didn’t disclose a starter, but it’ll be Jonas Hiller most likely.
Looks like Ortio was reassigned back to Adirondack and…. wait for it..
FLAMES HAVE SIGNED the 6’16” GILLIES TO 3 YEARS!!!!
I thought Gillies was 5’17”?
Nah, he’s 3:16
Is it 8pm yet?! This feels like the longest day ever! Excited to see what this group does for game 1!
Bennett scores two. I feels it.
Ferland smashing Sedins?
Yes please!!!!
PLAAAAAAYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFF HOOOOOOOOOCKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
5 rookies in the line up for the Flames. That’s unreal!!
Tempered expectations for sure, but holy crap did I forget how it felt to be this nervous for a night of hockey.
My nerves have been shot since February.
I’m glad Bennett is getting a chance. Good on Hartley.
Honestly looking down that Canucks lineup there is nothing really that frightens me.. Key on the Sedins as always and other than that.. shrugs I just don’t see it
Calgary has the team to do them
Can Bennett be a difference maker? – I hope he comes in and does something special like Seguin did in the playoffs a few years back. Seguin was a difference maker for only a game or two, but it was enough to propel the Bruins through that series.
Oh my gosh the day is finally here! I gotta go buy some beers, get some food, and get ready for a party at my place because PLAYOFF HOCKEY IS HERE! And the flames are in it! I didn’t think this day would come. What a rollercoaster of 82 games. Mostly ups – a few scary downs. I’m excited for our boys and win or lose the playoff experience those young guys are getting will only make us stronger in the future.
GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boring, what else is new?
Bahaha, said nobody… What a great day, very excited!
im so excited im gunna puke
While I think Bennett has the makings to be a really good – if not great – NHL player, there were things I saw in his 1 game (yes I know it is 1 game..) which would make me hesitate to put him in in this situation.
I thought in the WPG game He played hard in the Offensive end – however looked like he was floating a bit coming back and on the Defensive end. A lot of slowing down, and a lot of big curl loops – instead of hard stop and go’s… This is common with a lot of kids when they first get to the League (Johnny did this too) – and the Playoffs are a bad place to get burned by bad habits…
Here is hoping he proves me wrong!
Lax defensive play can also be a problem for ageing franchise players. Not gonna name names.
Hartly will pound that out of Bennett, or Bennett will sit next game.
Im wondering if tbey are putting him on Backlunds line for this very reason…
Keep skating Gio and healing that tricep! Great that Monahan is a go, he’s a tough customer. Sure hope Bennett is an X factor in this series, he could give the Flames another option on the offense by spreading it out on another line.
This series is going to be so hard to predict. I’m just so excited the Flames are playing at all!
My one gripe is that Bollig will play instead of Raymond.
Ugh.
Other than that
GO FLAMES GO
Sigh! It would have been Flames – no contest – had Gio and Bouma been in the Lineup! Still I figure Flames in 6!
Win Game One and we got the ‘Nucks behind the 8-ball! Johnny/Mony/Huds score three tonight – could be a hat trick by one or a 3-way split with Johnny getting 2…..
Go Flames Go!
wow! what an intense, exciting game between Ottawa and Montreal…if Flames-Canucks game is like that, I may have to go to ICU!
Any one else dieing to see the starting lineup!!??
Where do we post when the game day thread is on the 2nd page?