Everything Else

Ain’t It A Shame?: Cal And Gary Q&A With FlamesNation.com

By 1240

We’ve got the whole crew from FlamesNation.ca, or at least a good chunk of it. Old friend Kent Wilson (@Kent_Wilson), Ari Y (@thirtyfourseven), and Ryan Pike (@RyanNPike).

It’s not that there were huge expectations for the Flames this year, but a lot of people thought they could sneak a playoff spot in the Pacific. It’s been a bit of a wonky first month, what’s been the problem?

Wilson: The stars have been ice cold, the special teams horrendous and they have are taking the 2nd most penalties in the league so far. It’s amazing they’ve won a game. 

Ari: Inexplicable defence pairings, a horrifically anemic powerplay (thanks Dave Cameron. They can’t even enter the zone), still somehow trying to adjust to a new coach apparently, and a really rough start to the season in part thanks to guys like Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan missing the entire preseason (and Monahan may still be dealing with lingering back issues). The Flames only started to look respectable in their first game against Chicago, but the turnaround remains uncertain at this point in time.

Pike: Their four best players (Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano & T.J. Brodie) haven’t been even close to their usual levels and, at times, have actually gotten in the way of the Flames capturing points.

Everything Else

This Isn’t My Beautiful House: Flames at Hawks Preview/TSA Training

By 1195

vs. 

GAMETIME: 7:30pm

TV: CSN. NHL Network outside the 606

RODEO CLOWNS: Flames Nation

RECORDS: Cal And Gary – 1-4-1   Hawks – 3-3-0

Projected Lineups

flames-lineup-card

blackhawks-lineup-card

SCORE ADJUSTED CF%: Cal And Gary – 50.2% (15th)  Hawks – 50.5% (13th)

POWER PLAY: Cal And Gary – 4.0% (Dead ass last)  Hawks – 20.8% (10th)

PENALTY KILL: Cal And Gary – 74.2% (23rd)  Hawks – 42.9% (Dead Ass Last)

TRENDS: Gaudreau and Monahan were a combined -8 against St. Louis last game, the Flames power play is 1-for-25

Much like the Hawks, the Flames start to the season hasn’t exactly kicked into gear like they’d hoped (and getting skulled twice by the Oilers probably hasn’t helped matters much). Cal and Gary stroll in with only one win and three point of the 12 that were on offer. And some of the same problems have bothered the Flames that have bothered the Hawks.

Everything Else

I Hate Myself and Want to Die – Around the NHL – Pacific Division

By 1791

And so now we move west, young men and women to the hellhole that is known as the Pacific Division. Once the place where Vancouver collected 100 points by merely having a pulse, the division has seen a bit of a makeover since realignment. The Kings, Ducks and Sharks have all taken turns setting the coast on fire while Canada weeps. Where does this year leave us? Follow the jump, suckas.

Everything Else

The Difference Between Me And You Is That I’m Not On Fire – Hawks at Flames Preview, Provincial Referendum

By 1288

evil empire at The Flame

Game Time: 9:00PM Central
TV/Radio:  WGN, Sportsnet, WGN-AM 720
Learn How To Wear A Tie, You Fat Sloppy Irishman: Flames Nation, M & G

After four days off for everyone around the organization to prattle on about urgency and jump and turning on the switch and whatever other nonsense they can spew, the Hawks now take to the road in the northwest not to salt away a division, but to keep themselves out of a wild card position thanks to their own ineptitude.

Everything Else

Hell Came To Breakfast, Stayed For Lunch – Flames vs Hawks Preview, Car Winterization

By 1221

eternal flame vs evil empire

Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet 1, WGN-AM 720
Rodeo Clown Convention: Matchsticks & Gasoline, Flames Nation

The Jack Adams Award for the best coach during a given season has in recent vintage gone to numbnuts coaches who have helmed teams who drastically outscore their woeful posession numbers. Last year’s winner, Bob Hartley, proved no different as the Flames made a surprise entrance into the post-season and actually won a round against the hilariously mediocre Vancover Canucks. But as so often proves to be the case, a new season provides a violent market correction, and this year’s iteration of the Flames is not an exception.

Everything Else

Jet Set Ready – Hawks at Flames Preview, Pregame Thread, Firmware Upgrade

By 1230 0

oldschool at pyro

Game Time: 8:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Downtown Cowtown: Flames Nation, Matchsticks and Gasoline

And so it begins, the annual rite of passage known as the Circus Trip. This year, the Hawks kick off the six game roadie in Calgary, to face a numbers-defying Calgary Flames team who already took a bonus point away from the Hawks last month on United Center ice.

Everything Else

A Lion Doesn't Concern Himself With The Opinions Of Sheep – Flames vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Tae Bo Session

By 1336 0

flames scorch vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00 PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet, WGN-AM 720
Burkie’s Fightin’ Barn: Flames Nation

For the first time in like 58 meetings or some unholy number, the Flames actually marched into the United Center last November and emerged with two points thanks to Kris Russel’s seeing-eye overtime point shot that eluded Corey Crawford, one too many points left on the table by last year’s Hawks team. Both teams are in similar positions nearly a year later, with the Hawks maintaining championship aspirations, and the Flames still figuring out how to be competitive in the post Iginla era.

Everything Else

A Lion Doesn’t Concern Himself With The Opinions Of Sheep – Flames vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Tae Bo Session

By 1196 0

flames scorch vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00 PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet, WGN-AM 720
Burkie’s Fightin’ Barn: Flames Nation

For the first time in like 58 meetings or some unholy number, the Flames actually marched into the United Center last November and emerged with two points thanks to Kris Russel’s seeing-eye overtime point shot that eluded Corey Crawford, one too many points left on the table by last year’s Hawks team. Both teams are in similar positions nearly a year later, with the Hawks maintaining championship aspirations, and the Flames still figuring out how to be competitive in the post Iginla era.

Everything Else

Yukon Ho! – Hawks at Flames Preview, Pregame Thread, Storyboarding Session

By Matt McClure 1179 0

AltLogo at flames atlanta

Game Time: 8:30PM CDT
TV/Radio: CSN, TSN, WGN-AM 720
Lanny McDonald’s Mustache: Flames Nation, Matchsticks and Gasoline

For those taking solace in the fact that at least the Hawks were being jettisoned somewhere even colder as a reward for their performance in the third period on Sunday against the Jets, there’s bound to be a more than a little disappointment in the fact that it’s a full 40 degrees warmer in Calgary than in Chicago at press time. The line to put one’s head in a microwave forms to the left.

Everything Else

Fire Water Burn – Flames vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Chili Cook Off

By Matt McClure 1217 0

The Flame vs AltLogo_medium

Game Time: 6:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Obey The Cow God: Flames Nation

For what seems like the fiftieth time already in this young season, the Hawks will turn right back around after a routine affair in The Peg yesterday afternoon to take on the Flames on West Madison. Calgary hasn’t won in their last 10 trips to the UC,, and tonight certainly shouldn’t be an opportunity for them to break that streak.