Flames Take On the Oilers And Make Some Changes
By Cait Platt
I was putting doing a post off all week because I was so unsure of what the future held for the Flames. Yes, we are all aware of a certain journalist who likes to update Jarome Iginla‘s stats in his article “Iginla’s To Be Traded” but every so often, the blind chipmunk does get the nut. And well the mass firing and hiring of coaches and personnel, it made me wonder what the fate of Jay Feaster and Brent Sutter would be. For now, everyone seems to be staying in place, which honestly, I think is a foolish mistake. The Flames had this half effort revival this summer, but the attempts have not yielded any sort of true success this season.
While I could devote an entire post to ranting and raving about the mistakes the Flames have made this season, I think that should be saved for April when everyone is gearing up for the playoffs and I am struggling for a story.
Instead, let’s focus on tomorrow’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. This will be the second time the two teams meet this season, with the Flames coming away with a win after the Oilers lead for a period and a half with two very late third period goals by Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Tanguay. With tonight’s 6-3 win over the over the Columbus Blue Jackets, something the Flames could not manage last night, the Oilers are riding high on a victory and will not be the same Oilers the Flames faced in October.
How are they different? Well for one, The Kid line has been playing together for some time. I mean come one, 21 seconds into the game, Jordan Eberle scores.
It took the Oilers almost 7 minutes in their first game against the Flames to score, by a six year veteran. The Kid Line didn’t even assist on that goal. Now? Together, if they can keep it up, they are an unstoppable force.
Actually, you know what? As I sit here and look at these stats, yeah Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent Hopkins deserve all this praise, but Taylor Hall has been unremarkable looking at his numbers in comparison to the praise and production of his linemates. 7 goals, 11 assists for Hall in 22 games, meanwhile Nugent-Hopkins has 11 goals and 17 assists in 26 games and Eberle has 10 goals and 17 assists in 26 games. I don’t know Edmonton, I don’t see it, could someone point this out to me?
But enough about the Oilers, this is a Flames blog after all! The Flames will be at a serious disadvantage tomorrow. While losing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond to the Abbostford Heat is not a serious loss, the addition of Joe Piskula (who has played a grand total of 5 games in the NHL for the LA Kings, back in 2006-2007) should be interesting for the defensive pairings. Doubtful that Piskula will make an appearance tomorrow night, I look forward to see what he can bring to the team.
Another problem with the Flames bench tomorrow will be the lack of Mark Giordano, who has recorded 4 goals and 4 assists for the Flames. Gio had 8 goals last season and in 23 games, he’s recorded half that number. The guy was steadily building to what could have been an impressive season. Now with a ruptured hamstring, his season is cut short. Yes, ruptured hamstring isn’t season ending or career ending but it will certainly shake the guy’s confidence. It’s happened too many times before and will be a tragedy if Gio falls victim to shaken confidence.
A final problem for the Flames, that’s almost laughable? Cory Sarich seems to be unhappy in Calgary and is demanding a trade. While it is nothing but rumors at this point, this kind of attitude must be a strain on the atmosphere in the locker room. Sarich is foolish for doing something like this if it is true. He’s a $3.6 million cap hit, no team is going to take on that sort of commitment for a below average defenseman who spends more time in the press box than out on the ice. If he was smart, he’d keep his mouth shut and finish out the season with the Flames and then look around in July for a team. Look Sarich, the Flames are struggling. Everyone can see that. But don’t be *that* guy, the one who jumps ship early in the season. Your “talents” are not being wasted in Calgary, so sit down, shut up and enjoy the hot dogs.
So what does this all mean tomorrow? I’m predicting a 3-1 loss against the Oilers, I hope I’m wrong but I don’t see the team coming together and winning. There’s been too much speculation and trouble this week for the team to be a clear, cohesive unit that churns out wins.
Go Flames Go!