The Battle of Alberta: Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window

...the pay-per-view stylings of Roger Millions and Charlie Simmer? Nah. The Flames are in St. Louis at 4PM MT, but I think I'll just catch parts on the radio and cross my fingers.

Calgary's four straight road wins (and points in 7 straight) have gotten them back into the thick of it. Next step is to work their way into the glob of teams currently 2nd-to-7th, starting tonight (I assume we can all agree that while finishing 8th would be better than 9th, it's a sub-sub-optimal seeding in the Western Conference). The Flames played what was probably their best game of the year against St. Louise at home 12 days ago, outshooting them 37-14 over the final ~50 minutes, and pressuring wave after wave after wave.

Today's primary concern: a Southeast Division hangover. Florida looked pretty good, I thought (enough that I will happily predict they win the SE this year), but Carolina and Tampa look to have serious problems. SE teams are 36-49-7 this season against the other 5 divisions; that's a Win% that gets you into the draft lottery.

Today's secondary concern: was Kipper just tired against the Hurricanes? The Adams goal was the worst he's allowed all season; the Larose goal was no snipe either. Considering the 'Canes had 36 shots, they had surprisingly few good scoring chances. I think the answer to the question is "Yes", but we'll see.

Metrognome covers St. Lou's recent struggles, the debut there of Andy-Mac and the insertion of Primeau back into the lineup (keep your stick off of blue things and you'll be fine, Wayne!). I cover the fearless prediction.

Calgary 2 (Primeau, Iginla)
Mound City 1 (who else?)

Go Flames.

# posted by Matt @ 3:23 pm

Comments:

Your analysis matches mine exactly. There are four groups of teams right now: LA/Phoenix, who have no chance of a playoff spot, Detroit, who has no chance of losing their playoff spot, 2-7's, and 8-13's. If we can work our way up from 8-13 into 2-7, it puts us on a different level of competition, with some breathing room and a chance of a good playoff draw.

I'm happy to note that your prediction of two weeks ago, which seemed reasonable at the time, was completely out to lunch: http://battleofalberta.blogspot.com/2007/11/why-yes-it-is-panic-time.html

There are a couple of things that worry me for tonight. The big one is the Primeau for Boyd switch. As a notoriously top heavy team, we need to reward production from third and fourth line forwards. This is just the opposite.

The SE hangover is another problem. We're near the end of a long road trip, where we've been fortunate to get by with less than our best. I still think we should have played Mackle against Carolina. Surrendering points to Carolina is meaningless, but surrendering points to St. Louis and Columbus can jeopardize a playoff spot. I hope Kipper is well rested tonight.

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 3:57 pm

I need to learn to link properly. The link is to "Why yes, it IS panic time" from Nov. 30.

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 3:58 pm

Cripes, we need to stop playing like Edmonton.

We NEED to hold on to a lead!

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 4:35 pm

The Hat just said that Phaneuf could get 15 years $100 million on the open market. Good god, let him go if that's what it'll take.

# posted by

Subversive : December 16, 2007 4:54 pm

Come on, guys. HOLD A LEAD!!!

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 5:12 pm

Finally we're playing Tanguay with Lombardi, during the 4 on 4. With Iginla-Langkow-Huselius working, this pairing seems like a braindead choice for the second line.

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 5:31 pm

Anything better than a Tkachuk-Phaneuf fight? Two guys I hate punching the crap out of each other.

Phaneuf held his own in that one.

# posted by

mike w : December 16, 2007 5:48 pm

Good to see Stempniak doing what he does best, and Andy McDonald making Burke look stupid. I can't be the only one who thinks that was a horrible trade, can I?

# posted by

andy grabia : December 16, 2007 5:54 pm

Andy: I'm with you on that one. Niedermeyer has to put a good performance.

We need to hold on to this lead. At least we've got a history of doing that in the third period, even if we can't do it in the first or second.

Go Kipper!

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 6:10 pm

Does anyone think that crashing goaltenders should be treated like a high stick? ie, even if you didn't try to do it, it's still a penalty.

No one like to see their goaltender take a hit. And I think we know that if we count on the refs to determine intent before calling a penalty, we're not going to see the calls when they're needed.

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 6:13 pm

I wish Kipper would defend his own self a little more vigorously, he's always got that 'fish got swim, birds gotta fly' look on his face after he gets up the umpteenth time from getting run. It sure seems like he takes more hits than any other goalie.

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 6:23 pm

The Most Exciting Play in Hockey!

I think I said it once before, but it deserves being said again:

It doesn't matter if you're top heavy, as long as you're top heavy enough.

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 6:34 pm

Basically, all we got is one line, but its a very very good line. Kipper going to eventually play better, right? right?

# posted by

Anonymous : December 16, 2007 6:39 pm

Florida's been just okay. Vokoun's really playing well lately, but this team can't score to save its life, it seems.

Tampa Bay is in serious trouble without Dan Boyle, and the Hurricanes have been scratching key defencemen and giving up a ton of goals lately. Heck, Atlanta could win that division, and given their start and the fact they have the GM behind the bench trying to keep his job, that's saying something.

Worst division in hockey.

# posted by

James Mirtle : December 16, 2007 6:52 pm

It takes amazing talent to win games in regulation. A rarity in today's league!

Here's to real hockey! Go Flames!

# posted by

Dave : December 16, 2007 6:52 pm

Well, the Iginla line can do no wrong right now. That's fantastic, and good for Huselius as well. No one else is doing anything out there though. That definitely worries me.

But, for now...YAY! Five in a row!

# posted by

Kent W. : December 16, 2007 7:51 pm

# posted by

Anonymous : August 20, 2008 2:19 am

# posted by