Nov 6, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) looks up to the score board against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The scoreboard should be much easier to look at in Florida playing against the Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
When the Calgary Flames play the Florida Panthers on Saturday, it will mark the one month anniversary of the 2014-15 NHL season. Entering the season, the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers (as well as the Flames next opponent the Carolina Hurricanes) were constantly mentioned in Connor McDavid sweepstakes talk.
Haven’t heard of Connor McDavid? McDavid is currently the projected number 1 pick in the upcoming 2015 NHL Draft. In 15 games this season with the OHL Erie Otters, Connor McDavid has 42 points!!
Our Calgary Flames have somewhat distanced themselves from the “tanking” chatter associated with Connor McDavid as they currently sport an 8-5-2 record. Dare to daydream, our Calgary Flames are currently sitting in a playoff position.
The Florida Panthers currently are 4-3-4 with a league low 16 goals (I know goals per game average puts the Buffalo Sabres as the worst). The Panthers are lead by Brad Boyes and Jussi Jokinen with 6 points each. Our Calgary Flames have 9 skaters (4 of them defensemen) with at least 7 points! The fly in the ointment to an “easy” win over Florida is their goaltender, Roberto Luongo.
In ten games, Luongo has posted a 2.31 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. Numbers just slightly under the Jonas Hiller standard of 2.16 goals against average and .929 save percentage. The absolute best part of Luongo’s game is his twitter account (Strombone).
To all of you that drafted me on their fantasy hockey teams, rest assured,I've been working on some new techniques... pic.twitter.com/ZSfqosx6Q2
— Strombone (@strombone1) October 8, 2014
Of course for Saturday’s Flames/Panthers match up, Karri Ramo will get his first in five games. With the following quote from Head Coach Bob Hartley, and considering 3-6-2 Carolina is next up, we might be seeing Ramo for a couple games.
"“I said, ‘Hey, now you have the ball. You run with it.’ It’s all about winning hockey games,” head coach Bob Hartley said. “It’s a matter of performing.”"
You have to figure for all the pep talks Karri Ramo is receiving, he is also probably chatting with Dennis Wideman and Kris Russell about putting Thursday in Tampa behind them.
FURTHERMORE:
With the topic being Connor McDavid hopefuls, the Calgary Flames first game when they return to the Dome from their current road trip – – the Arizona Coyotes.
If the Calgary Flames do not earn at least a point in the next three games, I will be disheartened.