Let’s get this thing going.  The Calgary Flames open the regular season TONIGHT in Edmonton for the first of six games between the provincial rivals.  The coronation has already begun up north, but cautious optimism seems to be the prevailing thought in Southern Alberta.

GDB in Edmonton? Game Day Bitches? Well…we’ll go with FGD down here.  Fu…something Game Day.  Or if you will, Flames Game Day if you’re all for the politically correct.  I’m not one for giving credit, but OilersNation does it right, so we’ll gladly take a similar model.

Not in the lineup tonight? Cory Sarich, Steve Staios and Craig Conroy.  Yep…Conroy will sit this one out as the Flames have recalled Brett Sutter from the American Hockey League, and so 42 draws into the lineup over 24.  Here are lines and pairings:

Alex Tanguay-Olli Jokinen-Jarome Iginla
Niklas Hagman-Brendan Morrison-Rene Bourque
Curtis Glencross-Mikael Backlund-Tim Jackman
Raits Ivanans-Stefan Meyer-Brett Sutter

Jay Bouwmeester-Mark Giordano
Robyn Regehr-Ian White
T.J. Brodie-Adam Pardy

What to expect tonight? Well…the Oilers at home…all the excitement.  I’m a little worried.  I think it’s silly that Conroy isn’t playing tonight, especially with Ivanans in.  I get that Meyer and Sutter are young faces, but I’m firmly of the opinion Conroy is more valuable at this point.  But with the Flames wanting to go with all kinds of speed and up tempo, I guess this is the direction they’re going.

The Calgary Herald also reports the Flames have placed Ales Kotalik on LTIR…so he’s gone at least 10 games.  Yesterday, Stajan, Moss and Stone were put on regular, so they’ll miss a week of action.

Lets get it on.