This is Good

Wow, what a road trip for our Flames. 5 consecutive and going for 6 tonight and the best part yet, back in playoff contention. Most of our thanks and praise have to obviously go to the Iggy-Langkow-Huselius line. They have on absolute fire lately. Iginla has to be, be put in the Crosby, Lecavalier argument going on recently for best player in the NHL right now. He got the nod for 1st of the week, is second in NHL scoring with 48 points and really is the one who has helped turned the Flames turn around.

Once again I will bring up the need of another defensemen. We have given up as many goals as the Oilers and that is just terrible. Sarich and Regehr have been doing their part in our own end but guys like Phaneuf and Aucoin have to step up again, like earlier in the year. Before I thought Huselius was expendable for a defensemen but with his play lately he is pretty valuable all of a sudden. Flames might have to give up a high draft pick to get another top-4 defensemen. Who knows maybe some crazy GM will take someone like Nolan or Nilson off our hands.

The Flames are in Columbus tonight and with the Blue Jackets play this year, it will be no easy task. The Flames will have to shut down Nash who hasent scored for 4 straight games and he should be looking to get back on track.It sounds like Nolan is out tonight too, thank the lord. Even better yet it sounds like Boyd will get a chance on the second line. Whether Keenan will ever realize that Lombo should be there in place of Conroy like bloggers at Five Hole Fanatics pointed out is another story. No matter what happens tonight, this road trip has been a success but a win is still necessary for more movement UP in the standings.

Here what the Lines should look like tonight:

1- HUSELIUS-LANGKOW-IGINLA
2- TANGUAY-CONROY-BOYD
3- PRIMEAU-LOMBARDI-YELLE
4- GODARD-SMITH-NYSTROM

1- PHANEUF-AUCOIN
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- ERIKSSON-HALE

STARTER- KIPRUSOFF
BACK-UP- McELHINNEY

One last point maybe Regehr should play with Aucoin while Sarich be paired with Phaneuf to try and get some defensive play out of both Phaneuf and Aucoin.

How Sweet Was That!

The Flames started off their 6 game road trip, 2-0 after defeating the Florida Panthers 2-1 in a SO last night. From what I heard from reaction off the radio, the Flames played a good game and squeaked it out at the end. Literally at the end. Iggy continued his awesome, awesome season scoring with only 11 seconds left with Kipper pulled. The Flames needed a break like that after they played a pretty good game and after the horrible give away by Langkow on Florida's only goal.

The OT seemed to be actioned packed, the best hockey of the whole game. End to end and a break away for each team. Tanguay got fed away from a pass from Conroy but couldn't beat Vokoun. OT solved nothing so they had to headed to the SO. Huselius scored on the first shot and it was the only goal of the whole SO.

All in all it was a goaltender battle between Kipper and Vokoun. Kipper has now played 4 great games in a row and really seems to be back on track. The Flames head back into Tampa on Thursday for the first time since '04. I really think the Flames are starting to turn it around and I can't wait to watch the game, it should be a good one and hopefully they get some revenge on those bastards who stole the Cup from us.

Finally a Break!

Following the Flames disappointing 3-2 SO loss to the Penguins on Thursday, reports came out that Regehr had broken his foot after blocking a shot in the first which he never returned from and would be out at least 4 weeks. This would have come at the probably the worst time ever for the Flames. We would be forced to go with these defensemen with Regehr out.

1- PHANEUF-AUCOIN
2- SARICH-ERIKSSON
3- PARDY-HALE

SCARY!
Anyways a new report came out after Regehr got his foot examined and it is only a bone bruise and some tissue damage. Regehr is now listed day-to-day but we will still have to go with those parings for at least a couple of games but that is way better than a month+. The Flames last two games have been awesome in my opinion. Way more consistent and very hard working. There are still a few things to work on but they are looking like a much better team so far this month. Phaneuf is really going to have to pick up his defensive game in the next couple to make up for Regehr and guys like Hale and recent call-up Adam Pardy even though probably wont get a ton of minutes have to be mistake free and play just solid and not worry about making the big play. Kipper has played more like himself the last two games too so he will have to continue his strong play with Regehr out.

The Flames are heading out on a 6 game road trip, starting in Chicago on Sunday.

Searching For More of This...

.....this is all I have left to say after another tough loss to the Blue Jackets in OT on Saturday